Christchurch-based draftsman Mathew Broad has been running the length of New Zealand in 35 days to raise money for the St John ambulance service.
He left Cape Reinga on March 31, and is looking forward to running from his hometown of Winton to Bluff tomorrow.
His quest was inspired by his late grandfather, Russell Hodges, who was a passionate supporter of St John.
He worked as an officer in Winton, and also as the Southland regional chairman of St John.
Mr Broad set a target of $30,000 and has raised $20,000 so far.
The money will go to St John projects including $5000 for projects his grandfather started, including the Winton free health shuttle, which takes patients to Southland Hospital, in Invercargill.
"I started thinking about running New Zealand a few years ago and, after my grandfather passed away, I thought it would be a good way to carry on his work for St John."
About a year of planning has gone into the fundraising run, most of it spent training for the event.
Mr Broad said he would run 60km to 70km each Saturday, followed by 50km each Sunday, with another run or two during the week in order to train for the 35-day journey.
On average, he has been running 75km a day, for 35 days, with four rest days.
"It's been quite smooth sailing. In the first few days the weather was pretty bad with heaps of rain but the sunny April weather really helped.
"It has been a bit colder down south, though.
"I saw snow up on the mountains and was glad it wasn't any lower."
On Monday, Mr Broad took on the Kilmog hill as he ran from Waikouaiti to Mosgiel.
"The Kilmog wasn't as bad as I thought it was. As I was running up it, I kept thinking it would be a lot steeper than it was. It did go on for ages, though."
Mr Broad said he particularly enjoyed the run from Picton to Blenheim as he was joined by elite New Zealand multisport athlete Richard Ussher.
"It was amazing to run with Richard. To run with someone of his calibre was just something."
Mr Broad expects to be joined by family and friends during the final leg of his 2298km journey, from Winton to Bluff.
• Matthew Broad's website: www.runningnorth2south.co.nz
