Marathon Effort for MND
Community, Fundraising
15 October 2025
On 02 November, Tony Treloar will attempt a 5km walk – one of the 2025 Barfoot & Thomson Marathon events.
For Tony, a 5km walk is a true marathon effort – he lives with both limited mobility and ‘ability’ (for example, his abdomen now takes in less than half of the oxygen his peer group does) from the progression of motor neurone disease (MND) that damages all the body’s nerves.
Walking the distance with his ‘trusty’ walking frame aided by a two-person support team, he is determined to push his limits to fundraise for neurological research and provide support for people with MND. Without his frame, he would struggle to keep upright if attempting to walk around 20 metres unassisted.
This year’s attempt is the former MND NZ board member’s second go at the 5km walk. In 2024, he made it to the finish line with one minute to spare before the formal cut-off time of two hours.
“With MND being a gradual-downhill disease, this year I’m unlikely to beat the two hours but I promise to give it my absolute best shot,” said Tony.
Tony’s determination to walk and raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease NZ (MND NZ) comes from his own experience of living with MND and a cautious anticipation that research may one day provide breakthroughs for a disease that currently has no cure.
“I think we are on the edge of multiple breakthroughs in neurological diseases – the recent Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s Disease headlines provide much-needed hope for all people – one in three Kiwis – who are neurologically affected,” said Tony.
Plus, his experience is that most times fit and healthy folk run, walk, cycle, etc to raise funds for less-well people, so he says this 5km walk effort is just a small “tip of the hat” thank you to all fundraisers and their – and his – support crew/s.
Everyone knows someone with mal-performing neurons – migraines, MS, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, MND, etc – so please support Tony’s marathon effort for MND by donating at https://aucklandmarathon2025.grassrootz.com/motor-neurone-disease-nz/tony-treloar