Mr Shaw was born partially sighted due to optic nerve atrophy and nystagmus, but it was not discovered until he started primary school. As he aged his vision deteriorated and he is registered as severely sight impaired or blind. However, he said he had retained reasonable "central vision".
Mr Shaw said he usually ran with many others in half marathons in England and while he "thoroughly enjoyed" yesterday's event, he quickly learned the disadvantage of having fewer competitors taking part. "It's a strange one. When I'm back home there's 30,000 to 40,000 people so there's always someone to follow," he said.
"But it started spacing out and people would disappear in the distance. Marshalls would say 'go left', or 'go right' and I got back into it. I got to a point where I wondered if I went the wrong way but they had cones out, which was good.
"So my master plan didn't really work out but I did it okay."
Mr Shaw was resting at his sister's Bellevue home afterwards, before a family get-together later in the day.
His efforts helped raise more than $1600 for the Waipuna Hospice, while his brother-in-law managed to raise about $500.
"Obviously they have been doing a fantastic job of looking after not only Dekker, but also my sister," Mr Shaw said.
"If you can give a little bit back, that's all that matters. You can say 'thank you' but that feels hollow and obviously they need money to continue the fantastic work they do."
Mr Shaw was amazed with the support they had received.
"I was anticipating that maybe we would raise about $500 but to reach about $2000 all-up is amazing," Mr Shaw said.
Mr Shaw is a rehabilitation officer at home and helps other visually impaired people adapt to daily life. "You've got to get out there and don't let it beat you down," Mr Shaw said.
Mr Shaw's sister, Pam Graham, said her brother was "wonderful". "Especially with his eyesight, what he's done is just incredible," she said.
"I just think he's an absolutely amazing, fantastic brother. I'll never be able to repay him."
