A cause worth running a desert for
Buoyed by completing his firstever marathon, Harry Cunningham is stepping it up in a big way for 2019 – taking on a 250 kilometre footrace across the African desert.
The Wellington man is no stranger to extreme challenges, having last year taken on the Mongol Rally, a 21⁄2-month adventure race spanning 25 countries across Europe and Asia, all in the name of charity.
‘‘I’m a big believer that if you’re going to do something that’s a little bit different, you’ve got a really good opportunity to direct that attention to a worthwhile cause.’’
This time around, he is taking on the 4 Deserts Namib Race in Namibia, to raise money for Heart Kids Wellington, which provides support to hundreds of children with congenital heart defects and their families.
‘‘I see the value in what they’re doing . . . and when you tie your name to be an advocate to a charity, all of a sudden it’s not just about you and that’s what drives you a lot more.’’
Heart Kids family support worker Annie Cunningham said it was awesome to have people like Harry, her stepson, doing their part to help out the decadesold charity. ‘‘We are a charity and unless we have people like Harry raising funds for us then we wouldn’t survive.’’
Heart Kids does not receive government funding, so Annie Cunningham said ‘‘every little bit helped’’. For Harry, the fundraising challenge has been the least of his problems with the Wellington weather not particularly conducive to preparing for the desert heat.
‘‘Up until now, training has been really difficult because the weather is terrible.
‘‘I’ll go out whenever I can find time and [I’m] running in torrential rain and literally 100km winds.
‘‘It’s as far from a desert climate as you can get.’’
To counteract the cold, he has taken to wearing as many layers as possible, running in the middle of the day and travelling to the Kapiti Coast to train on the beach.
‘‘I’m getting used to being in pain every day.’’
During the April event, Cunningham will run 40km per day, almost the equivalent of a marathon.
One ‘‘double-header’’ day will see him run a staggering 80km.
‘‘I’ve done a marathon so now I’ll do something that is more challenging . . . I don’t know quite how it’s logical but to me it makes sense.’’