The Long Way to 50: Five Ultra Marathons for Young People

Five ultra-distance challenges. One extraordinary journey. And a chance to help young people realise what they’re capable of.

On 17 October, Matt Scrafton will stand on the start line of the Taupō 100km and take the first steps in an ambitious endurance journey across Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’s the beginning of The Long Way to 50 – five ultra-distance challenges that will take Matt through hundreds of kilometres of trails, long days of training, inevitable setbacks and some of New Zealand’s most demanding endurance events.

But this journey is about more than running.

Matt is using The Long Way to 50 to support the Graeme Dingle Foundation and help create opportunities for young people across Aotearoa to build confidence, resilience and belief in what they can achieve.

Five challenges. A long road ahead.

The journey begins with 100km in Taupō before taking Matt to the start line of the Tarawera 161km, the Faultline 103km, a return to Tarawera for 103km, and ultimately the Northburn 161km.

Through photos, video and stories from along the way, Matt will share the reality behind the kilometres: the training and preparation, the landscapes and race days, but also the fatigue, setbacks, doubt and determination it takes to keep moving forward.

Why the Graeme Dingle Foundation?

The Long Way to 50 has also made Matt reflect on something much bigger than running: time and opportunity are never guaranteed.

That belief has given the journey a deeper purpose.

At the Graeme Dingle Foundation, we work alongside young people at a formative time in their lives-  helping them build confidence, resilience, strong relationships and the belief that they can overcome the challenges in front of them.

Matt’s journey will help support that work and, as it unfolds, will connect with Move Mountains for Youth — our upcoming campaign celebrating challenge, movement and what becomes possible when young people have the support and encouragement to discover their own potential.

Matt will be moving some pretty big mountains of his own along the way.

Follow the journey

We’ll be following Matt throughout The Long Way to 50, sharing stories, photographs and updates from each stage of the journey.

His first challenge begins in Taupō on 17 October.

Support Matt’s journey and help more young people discover what they’re capable of.

[DONATE TO SUPPORT MATT]

Every contribution supports the Graeme Dingle Foundation and our work with young people across Aotearoa New Zealand.