Mrs McAllen is building up her fitness levels for the October marathon with 5km runs alternated with dog walking.
She runs from her home in Peat st and follows Halswell st to the river.
"That is a 500m distance and I have counted 62 trees along the way," she says.
"I take a few different routes as well and a circuit of Virginia Lake is about the right distance."
Once a week she collects her husband, Martin McAllen when he has finished his working day as principal of Whanganui High School and he joins her for a run.
The McAllens moved to Whanganui from Auckland in January when Mr McAllen took up his new position.
"I love this welcoming community," says Mrs McAllen.
"Whanganui people have been so supportive in helping me raise funds for the cause."
A sausage sizzle at the River Traders Market raised over $200 for her quest and she says she was a complete novice when it came to organising the event.
"Countdown in Victoria Ave, Pak n Save and the Mad Butcher were all very generous and Martin's personal assistant Shaaron Benefield gave me a great checklist for organising a sausage sizzle."
Besides Abbott, the McAllens have 8-year-old golden labrador Vera and mixed breed terrier Lucky who is 14.
Vera was a promising guide dog puppy who failed just one of the 30 assessments needed to be a guide dog so she has become a loved family pet instead.
Vera and Abbott accompany Mrs McAllen on regular one hour walks that supplement her fitness training and they have helped to encourage more support.
"Wanganui Veterinary Services have offered their support with a doggy walk-a-thon," says Mrs McAllen.
As a long-time puppy trainer with the Blind Foundation, she says she has seen the huge benefits that guide dogs bring to people's lives and she aims to raise $1500 and step up her training during the next four months.
To find out more visit Sandy McAllen's fundraising page.
