My name is Max Taylor. 13th August 2026 marks 10 years since my mum passed away from melanoma. To commemorate I'll be running 350 km across 10 consecutive days for melanoma research and palliative care across Australia and New Zealand.

Why do this?

My mum Tessa passed away from melanoma. She lived in Kerikeri, in Northland New Zealand, and was one of the most determined people I've known. During her treatment mum became a passionate advocate for Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug that was producing real results for advanced melanoma patients around the world. In New Zealand at the time it wasn't funded. If you wanted it, you paid for it yourself, and most people couldn't. Mum believed that was wrong and she said so. Toward the end of her life she found a way to access it privately. It wasn't in time.

Sadly, mum passed away in 2016. In May 2025, nine years later, New Zealand finally funded Keytruda for advanced melanoma patients. The thing she fought for happened, but she didn't get to see it.

Why 350 km?

Every week across Australia and New Zealand, approximately 35 people die from melanoma. Australia has the highest incidence rate in the world. New Zealand has the highest death rate. Together they sit at the very top of a list no country wants to be on.

Mum was an avid runner as I'm sure all of her friends can testify to; completing half marathons and running laps around Kerikeri in her spare time.

So each day I will run 35 km, one kilometre for every person who dies from melanoma across both countries every single week. 10 days to commemorate 10 years since my mum passed away.

Where does the money go?

Funds are split between two organisations, one in Australia and one in New Zealand:

All money raised goes directly to the charities.

Want to join in?

You don't need to run 350 km. There are a few simple ways to be part of this from 13th to 22nd August:

Group runs will be happening at Centennial Park on the weekends during the challenge. Free to join for any distance and all paces are welcome. Details on timing will be posted closer to the date.

Share it, and tag #35MatesTooMany so everyone can see it.

If you've lost someone to this disease, or you just think the numbers are too high and the funding too low, I'd love your support.

A few resources to help keep you safe when enjoying the outdoors:

Best places to track the progress:

Big thanks to these companies helping me out during this challenge!