Murray Holland Conquers 250 Miles to Honour Dad and Support Cancer Warriors

Photo Credit: Murray Holland

K9 handler Murray Holland endured a gruelling 250-mile ultramarathon through Arizona’s diverse and unforgiving terrain with the deep desire to honour his late father and stand in solidarity with those battling cancer.

Flagstaff, Arizona (19 May 2025) – In honour of his dad and in support of countless warriors courageously facing cancer, day in and out, Murray Holland channelled his adventurous spirit and big heart to ignite hope by participating in one of the most physically intense races of his lifetime, the Cocodona 250.

The Cocodona 250 is a 250-mile (402 km) ultramarathon that takes place in Arizona every year from Black Canyon City and ends in Flagstaff.

This was an astronomical physical challenge for Murray, who had been training extensively for the past year, to successfully complete the race in honour of his father, who sadly passed fighting leukaemia.

Reflecting on the race, Murray, who is also a K9 Search and Rescue Association handler, said it was an intense 111 hours that pushed his physical and mental limits.

“You cross varying terrain, from arid landscapes dotted with huge cactuses, giant pine forests and the rock formations of Sedona. The total elevation is 5,500m of climbing. Usually the weather is very dry and hot.

“This year we had rain, hail, snow and temperatures that hit zero. The mud was intense which made for some interesting descents. But after that, we got into the forests near Flagstaff, where the running was flatter and smoother. That was until we hit Elden Mountain and had a 1,500m climb before dropping back down into the finish in the town of Flagstaff,” Murray tells the K9 Search and Rescue Association.

And after all the blood, sweat, tears and unforgiving conditions, Murray received the warmest welcome from the crowd at the finish line, a sweet finish to a rather gruelling adventure.

Murray’s efforts, fuelled by memory and compassion, have seen him raise R24,260 so far for the Candy Cane Project, an initiative that raises funds to donate directly to individuals who cannot afford the high costs of their medical bills to fight cancer.

He has played a significant part in alleviating the financial burden on patients and their families so that they may focus on their battle against this horrible disease and give them the best chance to overcome it.