I am doing this for a charity very close to my heart, due to previous family experiences

I am incredibly blessed to work for the Heart Foundation in a role that allows me to engage with my community around heart health as a Heart Health Promoter. It is a real privilege to have people share the stories of their own heart health journey or the impacts on their wider whānau of heart disease. I hope that we are making a difference for future generations and my own whānau has benefited from the advances we have seen over the last few years. Sadly, I lost my Dad suddenly 25 years ago to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was such a fantastic grandad to my nephew and niece, and while he got to meet my future wife, he never had the chance to meet my beautiful children . My Mum has had two mitral valve replacements and last year was fitted with a pacemaker but is still going strong at 87. She is loving following the adventures of my children as they head out into the world on their adventures. My why is for everyone to have as much time with their whānau as possible. There is so much we learn from different generations and so much joy for all. That’s what will be driving me on during May ❤️

For my mum, who has dedicated her heart and life to her loved ones, her heart is now too tired. She used to walk, hike and climb, but now she cannot.

My daughter is my "Why", I want to live long enough to watch her grow and build a life with a whānau of her own.... As a regular visitor to the hospital, I'm heavily dependent on the resources provided by The Heart Foundation so I was compelled to give back and by giving back to The Heart Foundation, I'm also extending my quality time with my daughter....

I lost my dear mum in March of this year, she was in heart failure for 14 years and after complications of other illnesses her heart could no longer function. I miss her everyday and she has left behind 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Every step is in honour of my mum and her beautiful heart and spirit.

My why is to give back to the heart foundation and help the cardiologists train to help others. To thank them and to continue to live a healthier lifestyle for me. I survived a heart attack i am the why we can help others for awareness ❤️

Iam taking this challenge in memories of my Dad who passed away with Heart attack. I miss him 😢 alot and I want to make difference in saving the lives of Kiwi Hearts 💕

I think we all know someone who has been affected by Heart disease. This is the reason I have chosen to walk 42 kms in May in support of the Heart Foundation.

My heart skipped a beat (or two) 6 months ago. But for my brothers intervention and others who jumped in I would not be here to participate in this worthwhile cause. My folks call me the bionic man with my in-house ICD. My why is all those who I hold dear inspire me to live my best life and help others along the way.

My why - to support the heart foundation, to support the medic team when I needed help, for my dad who had a cardiac event in 2007 out of the blue. Here we are back in the day - in Raro ❤️

My Why All our whys are different— stories shaped by time and flame— yet somehow in the end, they echo much the same. Mine? At seventy-four, I still run, still chase the morning sun. Each step, a silent tribute, each breath, a battle won. I run for Lena— gone too soon, too bright to fade— a spirit fierce and fearless, with every stride she made. Through ups and downs she journeyed, with grace that broke the mold. That “Downs”—her extra 21— was nothing but pure gold. And so, 21km won’t do— not for a heart this full. If I run, I run with meaning. If I commit, it’s all. So meet me at the finish, where memories never tire. I’ll run the streets of Stockholm, with love and quiet fire.

My why!! In 2020 3 months before my 70th birthday I had a heart attack, one stent later you start reevaluating your life!! Thought I was fit and healthy. Walking is my go too! I try to walk an hour a day. I have congestive heart disease they say 5 to 10 years!! Im working on 10

I’m incredibly proud to work at the Heart Foundation and so love my role as Team Lead for MyMarathon. Not only do I get to witness the impact of our work firsthand, I’m constantly inspired by the amazing individuals - our MyMarathoners - who go the extra mile to raise vital funds in the fight against New Zealand’s single biggest killer. For me, this cause is deeply personal. My dad, Fred, had his first heart attack over 40 years ago and, at 94, continues to live well with heart failure. Every day I come to work, I’m reminded of how important our mission is - and I’m so grateful for the support we receive, which helps people like my dad live longer, healthier lives.

I learnt about the Heart Foundations work through a friend who had a heart condition 26 years or so ago, I made my first donation as the work they do is very important, and the values aligned with mine in improving peoples well-being and healthy eating. So my why is, that we never know when I, or someone I care about will need the expertise of these surgeons, and support of the Heart Foundation. I am walking for my health and others.

I was diagnosed with SVT, a congenital heart defect, back in 2010. Since then, I've experienced numerous tachycardia episodes during which doctors have given me adenosine to stop my heart and restart it in order to return it to normal. It has been more frequent over time, and I am currently awaiting my heart ablation procedure via the system. Thus, my "WHY" for doing this MyMarathon. After surgery, I'm hopeful everything will be alright, and MyMarathon will inspire me to keep walking in order to stay in shape.

I'm doing this to facilitate more research into heart disease

Because I've lost friends to heart attacks and I have AF. Cheers

I am my own why, I suffer from different arrhythmias and sinus node dysfunction. I have a pacemaker and in my early 40s. The journey I have been on has been real roller coaster of emotions. The work the heart foundation does to promote healthy hearts and the research that is funded from all the fund raising efforts is so important and crucial.

Last May, my dad was flown from HB down to Wellington, for emergency surgery. We were told to say our goodbyes as he was airlifted as he wouldn’t make the flight. 10and a half hour surgery 4 days coma and weeks in ICU dad had a heart, and brain aneurysm and a stroke in surgery. He is on his journey to live his new norm and has journeyed his own marathon to learn to eat, speak and walk again. My Dad is My Motivation and My Hero. Hats off to the amazing staff at Wellington Hospital ICU and Heart and Lung Unit.

Why I'm Taking Part in MyMarathon The Heart Foundation is a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart — quite literally. My journey with heart disease is deeply personal. I’ve seen both the pain it can cause and the strength that can come from fighting it. My grandfather underwent open heart surgery twice, and my father had a double bypass when I was just 10 years old. Sadly, I lost them both to heart disease. But before my dad passed, he lived to see me grow into my 20s — and even meet his first grandchild. That memory fills my heart with both gratitude and love, and it’s something I’ll carry with me forever. Having witnessed the toll heart disease can take on a family, I also know firsthand the positive impact the Heart Foundation makes — from funding life-saving research to find a cure. Their work gave us more time with my dad, and I’ll always be grateful for that. So this May, I’m taking on MyMarathon to honour my grandfather and my dad, to raise awareness, and to help give other families more moments, more memories, and more heart-filled years together.

I'm walking 42km this May, in honour of those we've lost, and in hope for a future without this disease. I hope this small step contributes to the big goal: heart research to save our loved ones

A mate of mine had a heart attack at just 38. It shook us all to our core - we never expected it to happen to any of us. It kicked me into gear and I have been looking after my heart ever since. My friends and I are doing as many marathons as possible for our friend. Currently training - wanted to encourage anyone who is doing this challenge to go the extra mile to raise money to help people like my friend. You're a legend James.

I lost my mum, Julie in December last year to heart disease. Her passing left our world shattered. Heart disease doesn’t always come with warnings, and its impact can be devastating. She has 5 grandchildren who love her so so much. I'm walking 126km for my mum in MyMarathon. She was our world.

I didn’t truly understand the impact of heart disease until it happened to my dad. Thankfully he's okay but I want to raise funds in honour of those who haven't been so lucky, Love you dad xx