Kiwi superhero completes 305-day cross-Canada run for children’s cancer research
New Zealand's Jon Nabbs raised more than $90,000 for cancer research during his trek from Newfoundland to B.C.
New Zealander Jon Nabbs wrapped up a 305-day journey from St. John’s to Victoria on Saturday, championing the cause of childhood cancer research. Dressed as Superman and pushing a stroller dubbed Shania filled with his essentials, Nabbs received cheers and honks upon reaching the iconic Terry Fox monument at Mile Zero on Saturday afternoon.
Nabbs celebrated with a plunge dip in the Pacific Ocean and reflected on his remarkable 8,000 km adventure—equivalent to almost 200 marathons. Beyond the physical feat, Nabbs used his cross-country run as a platform to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, visiting schools, hospitals and oncology wards throughout the journey. His extraordinary effort has garnered more than $90,000 in support of childhood cancer foundations in both Canada and New Zealand.
Nabbs embarked on this epic run after losing both his parents to cancer during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. Introduced to Fox’s inspiring story by a Canadian ex-girlfriend, Nabbs decided to honour his parents’ memory by undertaking this colossal trek.
The journey, which began in May 2023, saw Nabbs face a litany of challenges, including navigating through the prairies and the Rocky Mountains in weather that went below -20 degrees C, dealing with a bad bout of food poisoning and living with the physical toll of running on the highway day after day. Nabbs dealt with injuries, including recurrent tendinitis, as well as chronic tightness and knots in his calves, quads and hip flexors. He told Canadian Running he had a daily stretching and muscle-activation routine to help with the strain of pushing Shania.
A runner from age 16, Nabbs had completed several ultras, including the 100K Tarawera by UTMB, and one marathon, before embarking across Canada. He said he doesn’t think he fits into the “normal” runner category. “I don’t typically wear a heart monitor or even really log my miles,” he said. “For me running is mostly a vehicle for getting outside, seeing the day, getting the blood pumping, pushing myself, feeling good and connecting with like-minded people.” He didn’t do any training specifically for his 305-day journey. ” How do you train for [more than] 7,500 km?” he said. “I just figured, the first month IS the training!”
Nabbs fell in love with Canada throughout the trek. “What was my favourite province? That’s a bit like asking which child is your favourite—I have such a special relationship with each one, I could never pick,” he told Canadian Running. Nabbs praised Winnipeg’s energetic running community, and said he enjoyed the beautiful but rugged East Coast and savoured prairie sunsets. While he missed his friends and family in N.Z., “I never really went a day without talking to someone, even if it was a shopkeeper or a person who stopped me on the side of the road to make a donation.” While he carried a one-man tent and camping stove in his 50 kg stroller so he could camp when he needed to, Nabbs was welcomed into the homes of many Canadians along the way to share a meal or stay the night.
The Kiwi superhero is set to continue making cross-country strides, already gearing up for yet another adventure. In roughly three weeks, he plans to embark on a run from the south to the north of New Zealand, again supporting cancer research. “It’s a whole country, but it’s actually less distance than Ontario if you’re on the Trans-Canada,” he told media on Saturday.
You can learn more about Nabbs fundraiser, or donate, by clicking here.
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