Students run 100km in 40 hours

The Tauhara College Student Executive get ready to begin the 100km running challenge.

A group of 11 students from Taupō’s Tauhara College took the annual World Vision 40 Hour Challenge to a new level this week, running 100km each.

They started at 7.30am on Sunday and finished at 11.30pm on Monday, running a circuit back and forth along the lakefront.

Student, Olivia Hall, says the school wanted to really put themselves to the test this year.

“We wanted to do something that hasn’t been done before for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.”

They wanted to raise $1 for every 10 metres they completed as a group, which would mean $10,000 for Solomon Island children affected by climate-driven hunger.

“This turned into a huge project, reaching out to businesses, our community and family for sponsorship to help raise funds for people who are not as fortunate as us,” Olivia says.

By Tuesday afternoon this week, they were over halfway to their goal with $5439 raised. People can go to 40hour.org.nz and search for ‘Tauhara School Exec’ to donate.

World Vision associate national director TJ Grant says he’s blown away by the challenges Tauhara College students are taking on for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.

“It’s inspiring to see so many young people from Taupo and surrounds put themselves to the test to support their peers in Solomon Islands who don’t get enough to eat each day due to the changing climate.

“I’m always so encouraged by the passion, ingenuity, and creativity of the challenges our young people demand of themselves and this year there’s the extra challenge to be offline for 40 hours!  But that 40-hour sacrifice will make a world of difference for hungry children in Solomon Islands.”

Most 40 Hour Challenge events are actually on this weekend, June 13-15, when thousands of young people will take part and more than 60 of the country’s most recognisable monuments will also light-up orange in support.