Heart Racer Stories

Become a Heart Racer™ and join the race to save lives

Who are the Heart Racers™?

Heart Racers are a brave and much loved group of New Zealanders who have registered to raise funds for the Heart Foundation while participating in events like the adidas Auckland Marathon. They come from all walks of life - and you probably know some already - all of whom share a passion: to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease.

What is the Heart Foundation?

The Heart Foundation is the New Zealand charity working together to beat heart disease. Its life saving work focuses on three main areas: research, prevention and rehabilitation. Why is the Heart Foundation raising funds? Heart disease is the single biggest killer in New Zealand. However, many of these deaths are premature and preventable. Funds raised by the Heart Foundation are used to undertake vital research and provide information to New Zealanders on how they can best look after their hearts. The Heart Foundation relies on charitable donations to carry on its work and the money you raise makes a huge difference.

Should I sign up as a Heart Racer™?

Yes! Signing up is as easy as clicking a button. Once you’re registered you’ll have your own fundraising page. Here you can blog away, update everyone on how your training is going, upload your photos and provide a secure and easy way for your friends and family to sponsor your amazing efforts – raising funds for the Heart Foundation.

What else is in it for me?

Other than the satisfaction of helping to stop heart disease in New Zealand, some Heart Racer™ events have great prizes and incentives for fundraisers and great tips on training, nutrition and much more along the way!

Where do I start!

Becoming a Heart Racer is easy,

Simply go to the become a heart racer page now to get started!

Some of our Heart Racer Stories:

Lucy's got lots of heart

Running is her hobby but Lucy Sharp is putting her heart into a special race.

The 8 Year old has signed up to be a Heart Racer in the adidas Auckland Marathon to raise money for The New Zealand Heart Foundation, to help combat heart disease

Hearts behind big run

Stu Joyce was just 11 when heart disease killed his big brother.

Now the 26 year old is running his first marathon to help others affected by the condition.

Charities runner's heart in it

Running a marathon is hard, but it's easier if you have something to run for.

New Plymouth mother of two Joanne Jackson is running the Auckland marathon this sunday as a Heart Racer and has already raised nearly $7000 for the Heart Foundation.

Life has Lenny running

Lenny Blokesburg is running for his life.

Training for this month's Auckland marathon is helping to keep the Manurewa man alive. Most of his family dies of heart disease and he's not taking any risks. He keeps himself fit and eats healthy food.

Heart racer back on track

The youngest athlete in this year's Auckland Marathon in showing real character.

After serious broken leg left Georgia Ellis bed-ridden for more than six month, the Kristin student is making a welcome return to sport, competing for the first time in the next month's Auckland Marathon as a Heart Foundation ambassador.

A marathon effort

Forty-year-old Brad Kapura could hardly run around the block three years ago.

Now the Glen Eden resident is about to tackle the Auckland Marathon.

Brad is helping raise money for the Heart Foundation - the charity behind the big event.

Diane runs with big heart

Committing to months of training will help a novice runner achieve a personal goal and improve the health of Kiwis with heart conditions.

Diane Philippe has spent a couple of years plodding around the streets of Howick but wanted a challenge to boost her motivation.

Stacey's heart of gold

First-time mum Stacey Pinique will be putting her heart into this weekend's Auckland Marathon.

The Mangere Bridge resident will be raising funds for the Heart Foundation. Sunday's event will be her sixth Auckland Marathon and her second as a foundation Heart Racer.

The adidas Auckland Marathon is just around the corner!

For Aucklander Benjamin Shaw (28) the choice to become a Heart Racer in the adidas Auckland Marathon was simple.

"I'm already training and going to run the marathon anyway, so if this acts as a catalyst for people to give money to a good cause, then why not?!"

Heart Racers for "our heart baby"

For stay home mom Toni Jack, the upcoming Harbour Capital Marathon may well become a family event. While she will be walking the half marathon with a group of friends, her 5-year-old son Alex will be running the 'Kids Magic Mile' this Sunday with husband Rob as Heart Foundation Heart Racers.

Athlete to raise $50,000 for The Heart Foundation

A West Auckland woman who has shed 50kg for Ironman is throwing her weight behind the Heart Foundation in the hope of lowering obesity rates in Maori and Pacific Islanders.

From ciggies to fitness

A typical Kiwi bloke says several inspiring women have been his inspiration to fast-track his way back to good health and raise almost $2500 for the Heart Foundation along the way.

Marathon effort meets fundraising milestone

Nigel Smith's marathon efforts have helped the Heart Foundation top the $200,000 mark in online fundraising designed to help fight New Zealand's biggest killer - cardiovascular disease.

Mike Kirby's First Marathon

Mount Victoria resident Mike Kirby raised over $500 as a Heart Racer at the Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Marathon on Sunday 25 June.

Combining a lifelong ambition to complete a marathon with supporting a cause very important to him, provided Mike with ample motivation in his training and preparation over the months leading up to the big day.

Ramas - A Speedy Fundraiser

Wellington resident Seetharaman Ramasubramanian (Ramas as his friends call him) raised over $500 for the Heart Foundation in just a month.

Ramas took part in the 10km Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Marathon on 25 June. Ramas' involvement as a Heart Racer was linked to the positive lifestyle changes he had made during the previous twelve months. At a routine insurance medical check-up a year ago, his GP told him that he was at risk of heart disease and diabetes due to his excess weight and ethnic background.

Yvonne Haswell - Tauranga Half for Heart Heart Racer

Yvonne Haswell ran her first 21km in the Tauranga Half 4 Heart this year.
"For me it was a logical move," says Yvonne.

"I was doing the run anyway; so I thought, 'Why not raise money for a really good cause at the same time?' I know many people affected by heart disease, including members of my extended family, so it made sense to do what I could to help. It's something that has touched the lives of so many people."

Teams

Online Fundraising Tips

The power of the Internet is amazing! Here are a few easy tips to make the most of this powerful technology... more

What do pages look like?

Click here to find out what a fundraiser's webpage looks like. It's easy and fun to raise funds!

Copyright ©2012 Heart Foundation. All rights reserved. Website by /