Pearce, 47, a Lululemon ambassador, aims to complete his own version of a backyard ultra — running at least 10 laps of a 6km course around the Arrow River — to raise money for Movember, which supports men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Embracing an initiative dubbed ‘[mo]re than a run’, which has been running several years, Pearce says the 60km distance is significant.
"Sixty is how many men commit suicide every hour around the world.
"It’s a pretty big number."
While Pearce is physically in good nick — he’s been a regular starter for the Coast to Coast and earlier this month finished the Queenstown half marathon — the longest distance he’s run to date is33km.
"It’s going to be a challenge, and that’s why I wanted to do it — it’s going to take me out of my comfort zone.
"I’m expecting to potentially go to a place that might challenge me, and that’s why I wanted to take on the 60km, because it’s for a bloody good cause."
He’s set a goal of completing the distance within six hours — starting at 9am and finishing around 3pm — but he’s not putting too much time pressure on himself.
And, if he’s feeling mentally and physically OK once he hits 60km, "I’m going to try and go for the hundy".
Pearce welcomes anyone who wants to come and join him for a lap or two, or lend some moral support at his Wilcox Green base camp throughout the challenge.
Meantime, to donate, visit shorturl.at/tJAWc
