Ed Shuttleworth ran himself to a standstill last year to benefit Nelson Tasman Hospice. Now he is backing others to raise funds for the cause.
Ed launched Team Hospice two months ago with the goal of getting 100 people to sign up for the Spectacle Festival of Running in December and raise money at the same time.
“Some said I would be lucky to get five people but we already have 129 and have raised $40,000,” declares Ed.
As a result, he has raised the stakes with a new goal of 210 runners.
If that number sounds familiar, there is a reason.
It was the catchcry for Ed’s gut-busting 40-hour, 210km solo run from Farewell Spit to Nelson Tasman Hospice in Stoke 20 months ago.
The figure represents the number of patients hospice sees each month.
“We have runners from five to 80 years of age, planning to cover distances from one mile to 100 miles and half of them are new to running,” Ed says.
Getting involved is easy. Entrants in the Spectacle will receive a link to create a personal fundraising page that can then be shared with friends, family and supporters.
“The initial goal was getting the 100 runners and then let the dollars look after themselves.”
Having previously run the Spectacle mile and completed the relay with his son Hugo, Ed is taking a back seat this time.
“I just want to be there all weekend, cheering other runners on.”
One of Ed’s former Sport Tasman co-workers, Ryan Edwards, is even planning to complete his run while pushing a wheelbarrow and encouraging people to toss in spare change.
“As a region we have to very proud of the Spectacle. It is an incredible event to get behind with Olympians to schoolkids taking part,” enthuses Ed, who has had 200 Team Hospice caps produced thanks to the support of Portable Cabin Hire, Nelson Vascular and Jennian Homes.
Last year’s ultramarathon effort, complete with hallucinations and blistered feet, has not put Ed off running.
“I still love it but am concentrating on much shorter distances at the moment ahead of the Oceania Masters Track and Field Championships in Christchurch next January. Then it will be back out on the local trails, making the most of spring and sunshine.”
