All around Aotearoa, thousands of people are training right now – for personal fitness goals, personal bests and milestones – or for official races and events.
Early mornings. Long runs. Pushing through when it would be easier to stop.
And with some of the country’s biggest running events on the calendar, there’s a clear goal in sight.
The Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon returns on Sunday, 1 November 2026, bringing together thousands of runners across a full marathon, half marathon, 11km traverse, 5km challenge and kids’ marathon.
Just two weeks later, the Queenstown Marathon takes place on Saturday, 14 November 2026. Known as one of the most scenic marathons in the world, it weaves through the Queenstown Lakes district, combining road and trail running across multiple distances in a festival-like atmosphere.
And that’s just a snapshot. The New Zealand running calendar is packed year-round – from local 5kms to major endurance events – meaning at any given moment, people across the country are in training. Cycling and climbing events also involve thousands of hours of training by athletes – professional or not – across Aotearoa.
It’s hard work and takes great dedication.
But what if all that training could do more?
Why not Move Mountains for youth while you train?
Every kilometre you run, walk or cycle could help change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
That’s the idea behind Move Mountains — a simple but powerful way to turn effort into impact.
About the Graeme Dingle Foundation
For more than 30 years, the Graeme Dingle Foundation has been helping young people build confidence, resilience and direction for their future.
Through programmes delivered in schools across the country, more than 400,000 young New Zealanders have already been supported.
But right now, thousands more are facing challenges without the support they need — struggling with confidence, direction and a sense of what comes next.
Move Mountains: Turn your kilometres into impact
We’ve taken some of Sir Graeme Dingle’s extraordinary climbing achievements and translated them into kilometre challenges.
Your challenge is simple:
- Choose a “mountain” to move
- Set your distance goal
- Run, walk or cycle your way there
- Ask friends, whānau or colleagues to sponsor you
Whether you’re training for the Auckland Marathon, Queenstown, or your own personal goal, every kilometre can now mean more.
Because every dollar raised helps fund programmes that equip young people with the skills to navigate life – building resilience, confidence, emotional strength and a sense of direction.
This is bigger than a finish line
You’re already putting in the work.
The training runs. The discipline. The commitment.
Move Mountains turns that effort into something that goes beyond race day.
Because while you’re pushing through your own barriers, you’re helping young people overcome theirs — the unseen mountains they face every day.
Ready to make your training count?
Whether you’re chasing a PB, ticking off your first half marathon, or just getting moving, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.
Sign up. Choose your mountain. Start moving.
Because together, we can move mountains for young people across Aotearoa.