Full Breakdown
Isaac Chan’s Nationwide Run to Raise Awareness for Brain Injuries
By Drooid · · How we work
Charity Run Across New Zealand
Muay Thai fighter Isaac Chan, 25, will attempt a coast-to-coast run from Bluff to Cape Reinga beginning in January. He aims to complete a marathon-length run each day—about 42 km—and estimates the trek will take roughly 60 days. The effort is intended to generate NZ$100,000 for Brain Injury New Zealand and to highlight the challenges faced by people recovering from serious brain injuries. Chan will document the journey on his “Run it back NZ” social-media pages.
Background & Context
During a bout, a head kick knocked Chan down in the first round. He did not realize the damage until symptoms such as dizziness and severe headaches emerged. After being air-lifted from Tauranga to Auckland, doctors performed emergency neurosurgery that drained the bleeding in his brain. He relied on reading and mental activity while he could not work or exercise. The experience led him to discover charities like Brain Injury New Zealand, which support survivors through similar challenges.
Official Statements & Responses
Chan says returning to work feels positive, but running has become his primary outlet for rebuilding confidence and physical fitness.
Data & Statistics
- Fundraising target: NZ$100,000 for Brain Injury New Zealand.
- Running goal: one marathon (42 km) per day, estimated 60 days to cover the full length of New Zealand.
- Social-media update plan: regular posts on “Run it back NZ.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I had to start from, not quite square one, but I had to start from basics and I couldn’t do things like work and I couldn’t exercise.” — Isaac Chan
- “And that’s that’s what I want to help help raise the discourse around and help people that were in my position and that are feeling uncertain and don’t know what’s going on, just to have a little bit of hope and know that recovery is not linear and you can you can still go on to do great things.” — Isaac Chan