A former Paeroa man and his partner will be running in the Sahara Marathon next month – becoming the only two Kiwis who have ever taken part in the challenge.
Jack Keeys and his partner Amy Strang have signed up to compete in the Sahara Marathon solidarity race for the refugee children of Western Sahara.
Jack will run the full marathon, while Amy will run the half marathon.
The adventure race includes running between four refugee camps, across the hot desert and over sand dunes, and Jack said he was told by an event organiser that he and Amy would be the first New Zealanders to have completed the mammoth task.
Now residing in Toulouse, France, Jack told The Profile that the refugee situation there and around Europe had opened his eyes and inspired him to make an impact.
“There are many refugees caught in really challenging situations, usually through no fault of their own, and often living in tents or on the streets with their families. I’d started building friendships with some of them and hearing their stories, and it inspired us to both educate ourselves more about the situation,” he said.
“We had also already wanted to participate in an adventure race in 2025 where we could challenge ourselves, and found this as the perfect opportunity to do that, but also make an impact.”
Jack and Amy are raising money for four causes close to their hearts: the Sahara Marathon project supporting camp refugees with special needs; the Sahara Marathon project supporting war orphans in restoring recently flooded Dakhla camp; the New Zealand Refugee Family Reunification Trust; and the Toulouse Refugee support charity in their current home city.
“Two of the charities are projects specifically within the refugee camps where we will be staying, and are the focus projects being supported as part of the marathon event,” Jack said. “However, with many refugee situations, it’s often difficult for people in their home countries to find a connection or understanding. As a result, we wanted to support two causes closer to home, in each of New Zealand – where we’re from – and France – where we’re living – so that we could increase that connection, but also make a small difference in two communities that are also so important to us.”
Jack is no stranger to running for a cause.
In 2020, the former Paeroa College Head Boy ran the entire 42km Auckland Marathon in gumboots, raising money for Melanoma NZ and the Rural Support Trust.
But the change in locale – the terrain of the Sahara Marathon is mostly compact earth and rocks, with some areas of soft sand – will be a new challenge for he and Amy, who decided on a European move to explore the world, learn a new language, and add international experience to their careers.
In its 15th year, the Sahara Marathon involves participants living with a refugee family in their tent for a week, sharing stories, and supporting local projects.
Jack said he was most excited to meet his and Amy’s host family in the refugee camp, but was most nervous about attempting to run 42km in the middle of a desert.
DETAILS: Jack and Amy are raising funds for their causes. To donate, visit Givealittle.co.nz and search ‘Footprints For Hope’.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
