Firefighter running for a cause in Kepler Challenge
Ashburton firefighter Sam Cullimore will be easy to spot in this year’s Kepler Challenge.
He’ll be the one decked out in firefighting gear and taking on the challenge and a cause at the same time.
‘‘One of the guys in my brigade, his family was helped out by Ronald McDonald House.
‘‘He had a granddaughter diagnosed with cancer at six weeks old, so it was a pretty rough start for her, and Ronald McDonald were a big help to the family,’’ Cullimore said.
‘‘I decided I needed to give something back to them. I do the Kepler anyway, I’ve done it a couple of times, I thought I might as well do it as a fundraiser with some firefighting gear on.’’ Cullimore is anticipating a hard day out, especially trying to complete the course inside the 12-hour time limit.
‘‘It’s going to be a tough day. I’ve done a marathon in the gear before and it is tough, it gets really hot, especially with the helmet on,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s also quite motivating, you’ve got the gear on and you know why you are doing it, so it works both ways.’’
Cullimore is anticipating the 1350m climb to the Luxmore Hut and beyond will be the most difficult part of the challenge.
‘‘It will get really hot and really sweaty, that’s where I think I’m going to struggle the most.’’
Cullimore has set up a fundraising page on Givealittle.
The 60km Fresh Choice Kepler Challenge in Fiordland starts on Saturday.