West Auckland teacher finishes seventh marathon in seven days to raise money for children in need

A west Auckland teacher has just finished running his seventh marathon in seven days.

That's 300 kilometres - all to raise money for children in need.

One last push got Harry Sanders over the line before he was overwhelmed by the emotion and seven gruelling days of endurance.

Each marathon started and finished outside Hobsonville School where Sanders teaches.

"I don't think anything prepares you for this though but that was sort of the point. A child's struggle is worse than this," he said.

That's what inspired the 23-year-old to complete this mission. Since Monday, Sanders has pounded the streets of west Auckland, the same 43.1km route each day.

His entourage were trailing alongside on Sunday for the climax of the seven-day challenge with a good mate doubling as a cheerleader.

Around about the halfway mark, came the obvious question - how are the feet feeling?

"They are numb, yeah. I can't really feel them to be honest," he replied.

But it's a feeling that's worth the pain with Sanders raising more than double his target of $5000.

That's money for food vouchers, sports gear and stationery to get children back into the school year.

"It's huge it means we can help more kids because every dollar goes to a piece of stationery that we can put into a pack for a child in need," said Jen Cherry, from the Back2School Project.

Also at the finish line was a very proud family.

"Huge celebrations. Just can't believe he has done it," mother Joanne Sanders said.

"I used to be a good runner and he used to have some of my cups and he said one day I'm going to beat you and I think he's kicked my ass actually," grandfather Phil added.

And Harry isn't stopping just yet.

"I've got something lined up but I'll talk about that later," he said.

As it's time to soak in what he's just achieved.