The Long Run Update

The Crusade With Heart Foundation’s 2025 Long Run is well underway here at Malvern Park, and the atmosphere is electric! There are almost 2000 people taking part in raising money for The Child Cancer Foundation, by running/walking 1km laps around Malvern and Rugby Parks.

We’re halfway through the day and thanks to the amazing support of our community we have just smashed one of our goals, officially ticking over 25,000 laps!  The day isn’t over yet though, and we need your help!

2pm

25,000 laps completed

$165,000 raised

The last lap isn’t until 6pm, so it’s not too late to pop on your running shoes and get down to Malvern Park. Not a runner? Not a problem, join our walkers! After all, every single lap counts whether you’re running, walking, crawling or skipping…

Here’s a quick look at how some of our Long Run Legends are going so far…

Charlottes Army
Out in force with over 50 t-shirts on the track, it’s a delight to see Charlotte’s big smile on the backs of her loved ones as they run around, a reminder what this day is all about. The top of the team fundraisers, Charlottes Army have raised a massive $20,325!

Kingston’s Crusade
Jack Coulthard from our Academy completed his marathon for Kingston in 4 hours 45 Minutes,  raising $1,240 for his Long Run team saying he’s super proud of the community getting behind the event. The last stretch was a tough slog for Coulthard, but he had the motivation to keep him moving “the last 10kms were the hardest I’ve done in my life” he said, “but all I could see were Charlottes Army T shirts, Kingston and his mum, my parents in the crowd - seeing them all was the extra motivation I needed”.

Kingston’s Crusade has been supported by 20 odd Crusaders International Academy Players from Argentina and 35 Crusaders Academy players will be out from 3pm going through their paces to get the job done. Kingston said “this is the best day of my life” as he completed laps beside his Mum, friends and family.

Ari
Ari has smashed out 42 laps, and is just 18 away from his Ultra Marathon goal. He is surrounded by his Christchurch Football Club community and his mum, Tina, is offering sports massages for donations to the Child Cancer Foundation. Ari’s Squad has raided $4340 and counting!

So many kids are out here so determined to complete more laps than the year before, completing marathons and half marathons. The determination for a special cause is admirable from our future generation of fans and players - the talent pools for both Matatū and Crusaders is looking strong.