With his wife Anita dressed as Wonder Woman and three children he joined about 1500 people celebrating cancer survivors and carers, remembering loved ones lost and resolving to fight against the disease that affects one in three New Zealanders.
He was part of the Son Son team, named after Caine Tran who attended the same daycare as his daughter and passed away at just 14-months because of cancer.
Leading the first lap on Saturday were cancer survivors and carers who were joined by teams, many walking and many in fancy costume for the 20-hour event. At dusk a candlelight ceremony remembered those fallen to cancer and on Sunday morning every participant released a purple balloon containing an individually handwritten pledge on how they would fight back against cancer.
Caroline Karekare of Wairoa joined the Kahungunu Executive team to give back help received in her fight against cancer.
The society helped her with accommodation in Hastings and "lovely" massage therapy.
"They would help with anything really. They supported me, so that's why I'm supporting them," she said.
Ms Kirk said referrals from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board were not automatic and people were urged to contact the society if help was needed.
"People get really good medical attention through the Ministry of Health but it doesn't do the psycho-social treatment.
"It is more than healing the body with medicine, it is healing the spirit and mind."
Property Brokers won first prize for the most money raised per team member, followed by Pan Pac.
The Napier Boys' High School team completed the most laps: a total of 329km.
