The 22-year-old Australian University of Otago geography student said he was on a mission to raise awareness about mental health, and believed his unique approach to the marathon would grab people’s attention.
"It will raise some money, and more importantly, spread awareness and get people talking about mental health.
"I’m not going to get a good time — I just want to finish the race," Mr Griffin said.
"My mum’s like, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing it barefoot’.
"She doesn’t want me to go barefoot."
She was worried about the possibility of glass or sharp stones cutting the soles of his feet — a sentiment that resonated with Mr Griffin.
So he had been training on the beach to avoid the possibility, while building up a tolerance for it, he said.
"Running barefoot is quite hard on your ankles. You’ve got to get used to it."
While he was new to running marathons, he was not new to going shoeless, he said.
He had always been drawn to activities that allowed him to connect with nature, and his fascination with holistic wellbeing led him down the path to explore going barefoot.
For two years, he had been alternating between going shoeless and wearing "barefoot shoes" — a thinly padded shoe that mimicked the effect of going barefoot while still providing some protection.
Mr Griffin has teamed up with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand’s Move for Mental Health campaign, a charitable initiative that emphasises movement to raise awareness and funds for mental health support.
He hoped his run would inspire others to get out of their comfort zones and embrace their passions wholeheartedly.
The half-marathon takes place on September 10.
