Kai Martin’s next mission: Raise $50k by running 500km in five days
The ultramarathon runner wants to eliminate domestic violence in Murray Bridge, one step at a time.
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Ultramarathon runner and anti-violence campaigner Kai Martin has set his next goal, and it’s even bigger than the 324-kilometre trek he completed earlier this year.
He plans to run 500km over just five days early next year, with the aim of raising at least $50,000 for local efforts to stop domestic violence.
Any funds raised will go to a new charity Mr Martin plans to set up, called Kai’s Run for DV.
Its goal, he said, would be to end domestic violence in Murray Bridge.
It will focus on early prevention, and educating schoolkids about respectful relationships.
“I’m big on kids,” he said on Sunday, only minutes after completing a 100km run around Sturt Reserve.
“They’re the future victims, they’re the future perpetrators.
“We need to cut (domestic violence) off at the root and educate a generation.”
With that, he issued a challenge to any big businesses which traded or produced goods in the Murraylands.
Their help would be needed to accomplish such a bold goal.
“It’s time to get the big mobs on board … to put pressure on them,” he said, calling out the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs, Zoos SA, Coles, Woolworths, K Hub and Big W by name.
“We all spend millions there, so they should spend millions on us.”
Kai Martin finishes his 100km run on Sunday. Video: Peri Strathearn.
About 100 people gathered at the Place of Courage, a memorial to victims and survivors of domestic violence, to cheer him on as he finished the epic run.
It took him nine hours and 15 minutes to complete the hundred K, a pace of just 5:33 per kilometre.
Afterwards, he was mobbed by teenagers and other fans, wanting photos or to shake his hand.
He thanked everyone who had run alongside him or supported his efforts in other ways, including Mobilong Rotary Club, videographer James Dawson and – on her birthday – his girlfriend, Tayla Groves.
Mr Martin’s original run for DV, five months ago, wound up raising more than $67,000 for domestic violence prevention and support initiatives.
He ran the entire length of the Lavender Federation Trail, from Clare to Murray Bridge, in less than three days, and memorably stumbled into Sturt Reserve to cheers just after 3am on May 26.
- Get help: Visit the Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre between 9am and 4pm on weekdays, or the DVINA Centre at 1 Standen Street, Murray Bridge; call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 737 732, or Murray Mallee Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Service on 8228 8960; or, in an emergency, dial 000.
