The Long Run 2024: Wrapped

Fitness and fundraising records tumbled at The Long Run in 2024, all in the name of Child Cancer Foundation.

Crusade With Heart Foundation, the charitable trust set up by the Crusaders to have a positive impact on the community, aimed to raise $100,000 while running 10,000 laps of Rugby and Malvern parks.

By 6pm, the community had run 19,136 laps and raised more than $125,000 – huge mahi from the 1784 registered participants and everyone else who turned up to support the cause.

Tracy Carter took out the title for longest run, completing 102 laps between 6am and 6pm. At the finish line she said she was “tired, a bit overwhelmed, but really proud that I gave it everything”.

“This is such an awesome event and an awesome charity,” she said.

“I set myself a 60km minimum, and then I somehow got to 80 and worked out that maybe I could just squeeze in 100.

“I just kept telling myself that I chose to come down here today to run, I’m fortunate. The kids we’re fundraising for, they don’t choose their journey.”

She wasn’t alone in pushing the limits. More than 50 ultra marathons were ran on the day, including Dave Prior who returned for another crack after a huge showing in 2023. This year he ran 90 laps, while our very own Crusaders Academy Manager Aaron Webb ran 89 laps.

Special mention must go to Chad Gillespoe, Dan Chan and Alex Leigh-Gilchrist who all ran more than 80 laps.

The Long Run 2024 was the inaugural Corporate Challenge. Businesses were tasked with keeping a baton moving all day and nearly 60 different companies and groups took part. Their presence gave the day huge energy.

A massive congratulations to Ricoh, a valued Crusaders commercial partner, who ran the most laps in the Corporate Challenge adding an incredible 1005 laps to the total.

Hot on their heels was Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) who completed 990 laps. Aotea Electric ran 579 laps, GIB ran 450 laps, and Issac Group ran 312 laps.

John Jones Steel generously contributed to help make The Long Run happen AND ran 56 laps. And a shout out to Christchurch Casino for their 414 laps and their support of the Crusade With Heart Foundation.

“How awesome to have the whole community, not just the rugby community, turn up to support an important cause, to crusade with heart and and feel part of the Crusaders whanau,” said Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO.

“We had professional athletes lining up alongside kids, world-record holders alongside our commercial partners, all working on something bigger than themselves.

“More than just the money raised, we’re very happy to contribute to the profile of Child Cancer Foundation and the work they do. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

A huge thank you to all those who ran, donated, shared and supported. It’s our Crusaders whānau that makes us stronger – without our community, we couldn’t do any of this.