Mal Law's recent 7 in 7 Challenge around Wanaka, Queenstown and Te Anau has raised nearly $170,000 for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation, smashing his fund-raising target by nearly $20,000.
Mr Law said in a newsletter yesterday his week-long running challenge was an enormous success and he was contemplating doing it all again in 2012.
He ran his first 7 in 7 Challenge in 2009, when he covered 360km on seven New Zealand Great Walks throughout the country.
This time he chose to do seven trails in the Queenstown Lakes district.
"The running itself was done in an unseasonal heat wave that made it even tougher than expected.
"All up, I ran 370km, averaging 10 hours a day on my feet, through some of the most challenging terrain that New Zealand could offer. It was a superb experience made all the better by the brilliant camaraderie that evolved among all the runners and support crew," Mr Law said.
Donations were still trickling in but he confirmed $169,046 had now been raised.
"This means that over the two years that the challenge has been run, we have raised well over $250,000, enough to fund the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation's patient support services for four months of its crucial work."
Mr Law (50), of Auckland, said he would take a break, refocus on his family and earning an income and take part in some long-distance trail events before planning for 2012, which would again offer other people the chance to run with him.
Mr Law said he hoped to secure a commercial sponsor to assist with the next challenge.
