While crossing the finish line, hauling 20kg worth of medieval attire, New Zealand Defence Force engineer, Kane van Lit was filled with pride.

He’d just completed the Hobbiton Middle Earth Halfling marathon on Saturday, an annual event which brings together all walks of life to the renowned film set near Matamata.

But this was no walk in the park for van Lit as he has done it for a special reason, to raise funds for Ukrainian orphans impacted by the war ravaging their country.

It was a challenge, but upon reaching the end and seeing his family awaiting his arrival, he knew it was all for a good cause.

“It was great, just running amongst everyone that was dressed up and keen, it was such a good environment,” said van Lit.

“Overall it went very well, I completed the marathon at the pace I had set myself and roughly within the target time to finish it.

“Seeing my family, they were really happy as well...I was proud of myself, I’ve really enjoyed setting this challenge.”

The 33-year-old van Lit was decked out in circa-1066 Anglo-Saxon chain mail and helmet while carrying a round shield and battleaxe, all weighing around 20kg, when he tackled the 21.1km half-marathon.

“When I wanted to do this half-marathon I thought well I’ll do it in historical equipment that fits the Middle Earth theme.”

But the inspiration behind his fundraising run came from his grandparents, three of whom lived in Europe during World War II and were badly affected by the war.

He said he grew up in New Zealand in relative peace and comfort, “...but was educated by my grandparents on the terrible horrors war inflicts on people, so this is a chance to help the little ones affected by these same horrors”.

"My oma (Dutch grandmother) was a child during WWII and had their house hit during an air raid and only had one room left for the family to live in.

"My opa (Dutch grandfather) saw his mother shot in front of him by a soldier when their town was occupied in the Netherlands, and my grandad who recently passed away was orphaned in London as his father had to serve for England during WWII."

“I felt the Ukrainian Orphan fund was quite important because my grandparents were in that situation when they lived in Europe as kids, witnessing kind of the exact same horrors that the kids in Ukraine are witnessing today,” he said.

van Lit joined the New Zealand Defence Force in 2007 and served as an infantryman until 2018 when he changed roles to become a general engineer.

The physical and mental skills he picked up from his time in the defence force, gave him the upper hand he needed during the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit themed marathon, he said.

“Running in this equipment fits into the overall Middle-earth theme and I have trained in film locations for the Halfling marathon,” said van Lit.

“I did a lot of research on how historical equipment was worn during the 1066 era and kind of with knowledge of what I’ve learnt in the military with carrying modern military equipment, I put the two together and then through training I adjusted the equipment.

“I found the weight was never going to go away, but it’s how you run in that weight I learnt to adapt with and train with.”

van Lit was optimistic about participating in the half-marathon again next year as in his experience of the Middle Earth half-marathon was an amazing event for anyone to try.

Seeing others around the world setting up initiatives for the Ukrainian people was positive to see as well, he said.

van Lit is raising money for the Ukraine Orphan Fund Poland. To make a donation visit www.gofundme.com/f/ukraine-orphan-fund.

Credit: Stuff.co.nz