Wellington to Auckland. 13 days. 1 mission. For young people's mental wellbeing.

The Run

13 days. Wellington to Auckland. A goal of raising $50,000 for MITEY.


From 7–19 December 2026, I'll be running from Wellington to Auckland, covering around 50 kilometres a day before finishing on the field at Eden Park.

Along the way, I'll stop at schools, rugby clubs and communities to talk with young people about challenges, mental health and what helps us through difficult times. Local legends and familiar faces will join me to share their own experiences, with some returning to the communities where they grew up.

At our school visits, students will hear those stories, ask questions and join me for a lap before sending me off on the next stretch. I want them to see that the people they look up to have faced tough times too, and that asking for support is part of getting through.

With a support crew alongside me and daily updates capturing the journey, there will be plenty of ways to get involved. Join me for a few kilometres, come along to a community stop, share the story or make a donation. Every bit of support helps us reach more people and work towards our $50,000 goal.

Day 01: Wellington to Paraparaumu

Date:
Monday 7th December
Start:
Wellington
Finish:
Paraparaumu
Distance:
59km

Day one begins with the Karori Normal School launch, where Harry will set off with the support of the school community before heading north along State Highway 1 to Paraparaumu.

At 59 km, the opening leg is about 17 km longer than a full marathon, and it's only the first step in 13 days of running for young people's mental wellbeing.

Community visit:

Karori Normal School · Wellington Rugby legends

Route from Wellington to ParaparaumuWellingtonParaparaumu

Day 02: Paraparaumu to Levin

Date:
Tuesday 8th December
Start:
Paraparaumu
Finish:
Levin
Distance:
46km

Day two is 46 km from Paraparaumu to Levin, heading north through the Kāpiti Coast and into Horowhenua.

After an opening day longer than a marathon, this is about showing up again: tired legs, another stretch of State Highway 1, and another chance to start conversations about young people's mental wellbeing. By Levin, Harry will have covered 105 km, about two and a half marathons.

Community visit:

Paraparaumu Beach School · Dane Coles

Placeholder photograph
Route from Paraparaumu to LevinParaparaumuLevin

Day 03: Levin to Bulls

Date:
Wednesday 9th December
Start:
Levin
Finish:
Bulls
Distance:
59km

Day three is 59 km from Levin to Bulls, carrying Harry north through Horowhenua and towards the Rangitīkei.

By the time he reaches Bulls, Harry will have covered 164 km in three days, nearly four marathons.

Community visit:

Taitoko School · Carlos Spencer

Placeholder photograph
Route from Levin to BullsLevinBulls

Day 04: Bulls to Mangaweka

Date:
Thursday 10th December
Start:
Bulls
Finish:
Mangaweka
Distance:
60km

Day four takes Harry 60 km from Bulls to Mangaweka through the heart of the Rangitīkei. By the finish, he'll have covered 224 km in four days, more than five marathons, with the rolling roads testing already tired legs.

Every step north carries the kaupapa into another community and opens conversations about young people's mental wellbeing.

Community visit:

Bulls School · Glen Osborne

Placeholder photograph
Route from Bulls to MangawekaBullsMangaweka

Day 05: Mangaweka to Waiouru

Date:
Friday 11th December
Start:
Mangaweka
Finish:
Waiouru
Distance:
50km

What to expect?

Day five carries Harry 50 km from Mangaweka to Waiouru, through Taihape, as the road grows hillier and the climbs become tougher. Reaching Waiouru will bring his total to 274 km, more than six marathons in five days.

The challenge now is not just covering the distance, but recovering, resetting and finding the strength to do it all again for young people's mental wellbeing.

Route from Mangaweka to WaiouruMangawekaWaiouru

Day 06: Waiouru to Rangipō

Date:
Saturday 12th December
Start:
Waiouru
Finish:
Rangipō
Distance:
55km

Day six takes Harry 55 km from Waiouru to Rangipō across the Central Plateau, where higher elevation, exposed roads and unpredictable conditions add a new dimension to the challenge. By day's end, he'll have covered 329 km, nearly eight marathons in six days.

The vast landscape is a reminder that even when the road ahead feels enormous, progress is made one step at a time.

Community visit:

NZ Army

Route from Waiouru to RangipōWaiouruRangipō

Day 07: Rangipō to Taupō

Date:
Sunday 13th December
Start:
Rangipō
Finish:
Taupō
Distance:
57km

What to expect?

Day seven carries Harry 57 km from Rangipō to Taupō, through Tūrangi and along the lake, with the exposed volcanic landscape keeping the challenge unpredictable.

During this stage, he'll pass the halfway point of the entire run. By Taupō, Harry will have covered 386 km, more than nine marathons in one week, with 323 km still ahead.

Route from Rangipō to TaupōRangipōTaupō

Day 08: Taupō to Tokoroa

Date:
Monday 14th December
Start:
Taupō
Finish:
Tokoroa
Distance:
55km

Day eight is a 55 km test from Taupō to Tokoroa. With seven days already in his legs, this stretch will be as much about patience and recovery as endurance.

Reaching Tokoroa will bring Harry's total to 441 km, more than ten marathons in eight days.

Community visit:

Hilltop School

Route from Taupō to TokoroaTaupōTokoroa

Day 09: Tokoroa to Arapuni

Date:
Tuesday 15th December
Start:
Tokoroa
Finish:
Arapuni
Distance:
55km

Day nine takes Harry 55 km from Tokoroa through the rolling Waikato countryside to Arapuni. With more than 400 km already behind him, the physical toll is building, but the finish is beginning to feel closer.

By Arapuni, Harry will have covered 496 km, nearly twelve marathons, with four days and 213 km remaining.

Community visit:

Tokoroa Intermediate · Keven Mealamu

Placeholder photograph
Route from Tokoroa to ArapuniTokoroaArapuni

Day 10: Arapuni to Tamahere

Date:
Wednesday 16th December
Start:
Arapuni
Finish:
Tamahere
Distance:
52km

Day ten carries Harry 52 km from Arapuni to Tamahere through the heart of the Waikato. Along the way, he'll pass the 500 km milestone.

By Tamahere, Harry will have covered 548 km, thirteen marathons, with three days and 161 km remaining.

Community visit:

Hautapu Rugby Club

Route from Arapuni to TamahereArapuniTamahere

Day 11: Tamahere to Huntly

Date:
Thursday 17th December
Start:
Tamahere
Finish:
Huntly
Distance:
52km

Day eleven pushes Harry 52 km from Tamahere to Huntly. With Auckland drawing closer, every kilometre now feels like part of the final countdown.

By the finish, Harry will have covered 600 km, more than fourteen marathons, with 109 km and two days remaining.

Community visit:

Taniwharau · Tawera Nikau

Placeholder photograph
Route from Tamahere to HuntlyTamahereHuntly

Day 12: Huntly to Pukekohe

Date:
Friday 18th December
Start:
Huntly
Finish:
Pukekohe
Distance:
54km

What to expect?

On the penultimate day, Harry runs 54 km from Huntly to Pukekohe. The city is finally in sight, but after eleven consecutive days, this stage will still demand everything.

By Pukekohe, Harry will have covered 654 km, more than fifteen marathons, with 55 km between him and Eden Park.

Route from Huntly to PukekoheHuntlyPukekohe

Day 13: Pukekohe to Eden Park

Date:
Saturday 19th December
Start:
Pukekohe
Finish:
Eden Park
Distance:
55km

Day thirteen brings Harry home. The final 55 km takes him from Pukekohe through Onehunga to Eden Park. After twelve days on the road, the finish line is finally in sight.

Reaching Eden Park will complete 709 km, nearly seventeen marathons, in thirteen days. The run ends here, but the mission for young people's mental wellbeing continues.

Community visit:

Eden Park · Blues Rugby Players

Route from Pukekohe to Eden ParkPukekoheEden Park
  • Start. Wellington
  • Paraparaumu
  • Levin
  • Bulls
  • Mangaweka
  • Waiouru
  • Rangipō
  • Taupō
  • Tokoroa
  • Arapuni
  • Tamahere
  • Huntly
  • Pukekohe
  • Finish. Eden Park