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Faultline Ultra 100 k run for Dementia NZ

$4,352 of $3,000 goal

Given by 66 generous donors in 8 weeks

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Watch Jon struggle up those hills to raise money for Dementia NZ

Johnsonville, Wellington

Kia ora koutou,

As some of you know I lost my dad, Phil Saunders, to dementia last year. It's an awful disease and it was very sad seeing this proud husband and dad disappear over the months and years before he passed away. To help in some small way I'm raising money for Dementia NZ who provide support for those affected by this disease and their whānau and caregivers.

I've entered the ‘World’s End’ run at the Faultline Ultra https://faultlineultra.co.nz/events/100km/ which is a trail run around the (many) hills of Wellington. Total distance is 103 km with a solid 3,127 metres of climbing along the way. The race starts at 10.30am on Saturday 25 April near Silverstream. Given the terrain and my (lack of) pace it’s likely to be sometime in the morning of Sunday 26 April by the time I make the finish line on the waterfront in Wellington.

I’ve been trail running for a few years now but my longest event so far has been 65 km so this will be my biggest test yet. Anything you can spare to support the great work that Dementia NZ do would be much appreciated and would motivate me to keep stumbling up those hills. If you’re in Wellington and have some free time that weekend then it would be great to see you out there on course. You could even volunteer to help out – events like these are always looking for help and the trail running community is a great group of people. You can sign up here https://barefootsport.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=107928

Thanks very much.

Ngā mihi nui,

Jon

Faultline Ultra done and dusted... 30 April 2026

Kia ora koutou,

One final update now that it’s all over. The race began at 10.30am on Saturday morning in perfect conditions. Despite the wild weather and state of emergency earlier in the week, we got lucky and the weather was sensational. The trails had recovered well and the lack of wind made running the ridegelines a lot more pleasant than it could have been.

In terms of the race, everything went pretty much to plan. I had a slight worry about a blister developing at about 30k but once I stopped and taped it up, it didn’t get any worse which was a big relief. I was hoping to get under 20 hours so was very pleased indeed to finish in under 19 hours (the winner finished in 10:25 which is insane).

I was lucky to get great support along the way including from a big group of neighbours at around 44k (see pic). Lucy and the kids were fantastic, meeting me at most of the hubs with food, drinks and moral support as well as Jack pacing me for the last 13k. I also received a great (and very amusing) video from Patrick and his well-lubricated friends during their Saturday night out in Dunedin.

Thanks for all the messages before, during and after the event. It has been really great to have your support. And most of all, thanks for your very generous sponsorship – we’ve managed to raise more than $4,300 for Dementia NZ which is incredible. My original target was $2,000 so to have more than doubled that is just fantastic.

Thanks again for everything.

Ngā mihi nui,

Jon

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