Central Hinds complete 24-hour run to create mental health awareness

For raising awareness and money for the Mental Health Foundation, Central Hinds completed the ‘24-hour slog for mental health’ by running 510 laps between them on Sunday (August 23). They ran around the Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park with each member running 550-metre laps around the ground. While people can still donate online, the members of the Hinds’ team raised about $11,500 by the end of the run.



While the whole team did the first and the last laps together, they split the graveyard shift – one group did it till 3 am while the other took over and did till 10 am. Each player completed about 40 laps of the track, which is about 22 kilometres.



“It was a bit of a mental game there, especially through the middle periods,” Claudia Green was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.



“But it was good being alongside such an awesome group and pushing each other on. It’s pretty awesome and it's for a good cause so pretty stoked.”



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The event was also considered as a team-building exercise and the members used a cricket ball as a relay baton, marking their laps on the scoreboard. A few mattresses were put in the pavilion for the runners to take a nap.



“I think we didn't realise how much running we were actually going to be doing,” said Green, revealing that the strength and conditioning coach prepared them for the run.



Hinds’ target was to raise $4,000 though they eventually raised almost three times more, apart from creating an awareness to break the taboo around mental health.



“I think because it's a cause so many people can relate to, it just makes it much more beneficial,” concluded Green.