Running 72

Running 72 was the final event run by Lads without Labels in 2021, and came together quickly to succeed far beyond our expectations. University of Canterbury students and members of the Christchurch community take to the pavement to run for 72 hours, collectively ensuring that someone is always running the UC campus loop. This extraordinary effort is to draw attention to the absurd fact that 72% of suicides in New Zealand are male.

Lads without Labels is here to make a change and bring awareness to the reality that boys and men face daily, and Running 72 epitomizes this.

The nature of this event inspires active involvement, with everybody being able to contribute, be it by running one lap or a marathon. We saw an incredible amount of camaraderie and conversation, both essential elements to raise awareness and help people understand how severe this issue is. Student engagement is core to Running 72, and we believe that having feet on the ground is a real way to tackle a real problem.

Our objectives for 2022 are simple. We want more people on the ground, we want more laps run, and we want to raise more money.

Ultimately, we want, and New Zealand needs, that 72% statistic to lower drastically. Running 72 is our way of helping that happen, and we invite all the engagement and enthusiasm to join us in this ambition.