The word 'crazy' might spring to mind for most, including his late father, but running 105km from Whakatane to Tauranga means $10,000 worth of healthcare support and goodwill to Peter Dowzall.

While the majority were tucked away in bed overnight, the 28-year-old Whakatane man hit the tarmac at midnight beginning the lengthy distance between the two landmarks – marking one year since his father's death.

Peter Dowzall is running 105km from Whakatane to Waipuna Hospice.

On September 30, 2013 Stan Dowzall passed away from melanoma at Waipuna Hospice.

The family say they were lucky to receive such good support and knowledge which is offered at the facility.

And about six months ago it was decided Peter, former NZ Army, will run the 105km as a fundraising drive for Waipuna due to it only being a partially government funded facility.

While Peter methodically clocks up the kms the family are hoping to raise $10,000, all of which will be going to Waipuna Hospice to help provide the same support to other families going through similar life-changing events.

As of yesterday $4355 had been raised towards to the goal.

'I'm feeling pretty good. I have been training for it for a while and feel pretty confident at the moment,” says Peter, speaking exclusively to SunLive yesterday.

More than two marathons or 12 hours running, look at it how you will, it's a long way by any stretch.

Having run two marathons in the last along with a solid base fitness from the army, Peter is confident in his fitness and stamina – aiming to arrive between 12pm and 3pm today.

'I'm not going to push it too hard or else I might not make it. Slow and steady wins the race.

'It takes a lot of time to do adequate amounts of training. I was doing 30km every second day and then every other day cardio of shorter distance stuff.”

Peter admits his father would be proud, but might think his son a touch crazy.

In the end he would understand, says Peter.

'He [Stan] was born in the UK and he said there isn't facilities like what we have over here. He said we are lucky which reinforced it."

Waipuna Hospice CEO Richard Thurlow says it is an amazing feat, no pun intended, and it's excellent the family are thinking of Waipuna to fundraise for.

'I did a marathon on a rowing machine a few of years ago and I know how hard that was. So I wouldn't like to know how hard 100km is.

'He's doing a great job for us and we are really looking forward for him to turn up to the hospice in one piece.”

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