Andrew Petrie to Tackle the Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon in Memory of his Wife Nicola

When Andrew Petrie lines up at the start of the 2026 ASICS Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon on Saturday, the moment will carry far more weight than the 42.2 kilometres that lie ahead.

Andrew is running in memory of his wife Nicola, who passed away from bowel cancer in September 2025, just 17 months after receiving a terminal diagnosis. The race weekend coincides with what would have been Nicola’s birthday on 15 May – a timing that transformed the marathon from a personal challenge into something deeply meaningful.

“I always wanted to do it [the Hawke’s Bay Marathon] while Nicola was still alive,” said Andrew. “Partly so we could have a weekend away together, but also because running helped me stay mentally and physically strong while she was unwell.”

Ultimately, that wasn’t possible. As Nicola’s treatment intensified – 24 rounds of chemotherapy over about 13 months – Andrew realised training for a marathon would take him away from precious time with her, and that travel plans carried too many uncertainties.

“It just became too big of an ask,” he said. “I didn’t want running to take anything away from being with her.”

Instead, the idea was postponed. After Nicola’s passing, it resurfaced as a way to honour her that felt tangible and significant. Andrew chose Hawke’s Bay for his marathon challenge as he’d spent time in the region before and loved its pace and landscape, but it was the calendar that ultimately sealed the decision.

“Nicola’s birthday is 15 May, and the marathon weekend just lined up,” he said. “That connection, alongside the opportunity to fundraise for Bowel Cancer New Zealand, felt right.”

Bowel Cancer New Zealand became a lifeline for the Petrie family during Nicola’s illness, providing access to support and services that Andrew says he hadn’t fully understood before experiencing them firsthand.

“If you’d asked me three years ago what organisations like that actually do, I wouldn’t have really known,” he said. “You only realise the value of those services when you need them – not just for the patient, but for the whole family.”

Andrew is now fundraising through the marathon to support the charity’s advocacy, awareness and patient support work, helping shine a light on both bowel cancer and the gaps families often discover too late – including access to funded treatments for specific cancer mutations.

“There’s so much you don’t see until you’re in it,” he said. “Nicola was really passionate about raising awareness – she even made submissions around cancer drug funding. Continuing that conversation feels important.”

Running has become more than just preparation for race day. For Andrew, it has provided structure during a period defined by upheaval – balancing work, solo parenting, and supporting three daughters, Renée (14), Zoë (10) and Greer (6), through the loss of their mum.

“One of the hardest things has been keeping going when life gets in the way,” he said. “But committing to this gave me something to push towards.”

While he has completed five half marathons over the years, the Runaway Hawke’s Bay Marathon will be his first at the 42.2-kilometre distance. Andrew is realistic about the challenge ahead, knowing that training has had to fit around the realities of family life.

“I don’t expect to run every step,” he said. “It’ll probably require as much walking as running – but finishing it is what matters.”

And while the marathon will push him physically, Andrew says the challenge is modest compared to what Nicola endured.

“Nothing I do out there comes close to what she went through with chemo,” he said. “That perspective stays with me.”

Andrew will travel to the race with this three daughters, all of whom will also be taking part in the event – Renée in the 10km and Zoë and Greer in the Kids Run.

To support Andrew’s fundraising efforts for Bowel Cancer New Zealand click here.