John's marathon effort to help raise money for a good cause | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
John's marathon effort to help raise money for a good cause
Rotorua 21-year-old John Gray will be raising money for the Himalayan Trust. Stephen Parker 260409SP36
After Sir Edmund Hillary successfully scaled Mt Everest in 1953, the New Zealander set up the Himalayan Trust which has been involved in education, health services, reforestation, building airports, trails, bridges, water supplies and preservation of local cultural monuments in the Everest region.
When Rotorua 21-year-old John Gray crosses the finish line at this weekend's 45th Rotorua Marathon, he'll be achieving more than just a marathon.
Mr Gray is doing the 42.2km run as a fundraiser for impoverished people from Nepal.
Since he undertook a 13-day walk in Nepal, Mr Gray has always had a place in his heart for the Nepalese people.
In a bid to help, the Waikato University Hillary scholar will run the marathon to raise funds for The Himalayan Trust.
Notable New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, became the first person to set foot on the top of Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. Since he made the successful ascent on that historic day, "Sir Ed" devoted much of his time to raising education standards, health services, instigating reforestation programmes and the preservation of local monuments in the Everest region.
For Mr Gray, lending his support to the cause was an easy decision.
"I went to Nepal when I was in form two at school. [My family and I] did a 13-day walk in the mountains. We went through the villages and saw the way the people lived," Mr Gray said.
"I think everyone looks up to Sir Edmund Hillary and I have always idolised him. I am, also, a Hillary scholar."
Since his fundraising web page went live, Lady Hillary sent a message of support to Mr Gray wishing him "all the best with the marathon" and thanking him for his efforts.
A talented sportsman, Mr Gray previously competed at the Rotorua-hosted World Mountainbike Championships as a cross-country rider, as well as racing in Canadian world cup events last year.
While he admitted to finishing "near the back of the field", Mr Gray said his mountainbiking base had helped him as a marathon runner.
He debuted in last year's Quebec Marathon where he finished in a time of 3hr 28min.
Having lived in Rotorua for most of his life, the former Western Heights High School head boy developed an affinity with the Rotorua Marathon. "It's my home town and I have watched people do it a few times. If you are wearing a Lake City Athletics Club singlet, you will always get lots of support. I will be wearing mine."
Despite notching up valuable training miles with fellow club runners Richard Harris and Steven O'Callaghan, Mr Gray is not aiming for a podium finish on Saturday. Instead, he will be aiming to cross the finish line in under three hours.
When Rotorua 21-year-old John Gray crosses the finish line at this weekend's 45th Rotorua Marathon, he'll be achieving more than just a marathon.
Mr Gray is doing the 42.2km run as a fundraiser for impoverished people from Nepal.
Since he undertook a 13-day walk in Nepal, Mr Gray has always had a place in his heart for the Nepalese people.
In a bid to help, the Waikato University Hillary scholar will run the marathon to raise funds for The Himalayan Trust.
Notable New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, became the first person to set foot on the top of Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. Since he made the successful ascent on that historic day, "Sir Ed" devoted much of his time to raising education standards, health services, instigating reforestation programmes and the preservation of local monuments in the Everest region.
For Mr Gray, lending his support to the cause was an easy decision.
"I went to Nepal when I was in form two at school. [My family and I] did a 13-day walk in the mountains. We went through the villages and saw the way the people lived," Mr Gray said.
"I think everyone looks up to Sir Edmund Hillary and I have always idolised him. I am, also, a Hillary scholar."
Since his fundraising web page went live, Lady Hillary sent a message of support to Mr Gray wishing him "all the best with the marathon" and thanking him for his efforts.
A talented sportsman, Mr Gray previously competed at the Rotorua-hosted World Mountainbike Championships as a cross-country rider, as well as racing in Canadian world cup events last year.
While he admitted to finishing "near the back of the field", Mr Gray said his mountainbiking base had helped him as a marathon runner.
He debuted in last year's Quebec Marathon where he finished in a time of 3hr 28min.
Having lived in Rotorua for most of his life, the former Western Heights High School head boy developed an affinity with the Rotorua Marathon. "It's my home town and I have watched people do it a few times. If you are wearing a Lake City Athletics Club singlet, you will always get lots of support. I will be wearing mine."
Despite notching up valuable training miles with fellow club runners Richard Harris and Steven O'Callaghan, Mr Gray is not aiming for a podium finish on Saturday. Instead, he will be aiming to cross the finish line in under three hours.
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