Constable Jessica Jones has achieved something extraordinary - becoming the first woman to complete a marathon wearing Crocs!
Jessica, from Waitematā East PST, has a deeply personal motivation. In October 2021, her dad Martin was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. After a courageous battle, he passed away in December 2022.
“He is the reason why I do crazy things like running a marathon in Crocs to raise money for brain cancer,” Jessica says.
“My family and I have been ‘OG’ wearers of Crocs, even when they weren't as cool in the early 2000s. However, my dad always struggled to find a pair that fitted him as he had size 13 feet.
“Seeing my dad suffering with terminal brain cancer for just over a year, losing his sight, ability to walk and talk and countless other challenges.
"Running in Crocs could never compare to the challenges brain cancer patients face, but it added an extra challenge for me, in honour of Dad."
Running the recent Auckland Marathon - all 42.2 km - in Crocs was no easy feat. Jessica describes the experience as brutal, but the constant reminder of the real pain faced by those living with brain cancer kept her going.
She crossed the finish line in 5 hours and 17 minutes, with only two blisters on her toes.
Thanks to generous donations, including support from the Waitematā East Area Leadership Team, the fundraiser has already raised more than $3000, with donations still coming in.
Brain cancer kills around 260 Kiwis every year and remains the 10th most fatal cancer in New Zealand.
“Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to better treatments and hope for patients and families,” says Jessica
Constable Jessica Jones and her dad Martin at her RZNPC graduation in 2022, just a couple of months before he sadly passed away.