PIA Wittwer Blaser isn't keen on running but that's not stopping her from taking on one of the world's most famous marathons – and she's doing it all for charity.

The 38-year-old is set to take part in the New York City Marathon on November 6.

The event sees more than 45,000 runners competing on a 42-kilometre route.

Mrs Wittwer Blaser got involved after a little inspiration from a friend and Team CatWalk, a group raising money for the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust.

"I did a half marathon in 2009 but I'm not a runner, in fact I have always been a very non-sporty person," she says.

"My friend Janelle, who has a stepdaughter in a wheelchair, suggested it.

"At first it seemed like something to tick off the bucket list but it has become bigger than that since getting involved with CatWalk." 

MRS MARATHON: Pia Wittwer Blaser will be running the New York City Marathon to raise money for CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust.

The Massey resident has raised more than $3500 for the trust and wants to reach $5000.

Janelle Fletcher planned to run for CatWalk this year and talked her friend into joining the cause.

"I do life coaching work so I'm always up for getting someone out their comfort zone," she says.

"Pia is a good friend who also keeps me going as well.

"Though I won't try and race her as she is a little more competitive than me."

Mrs Wittwer Blaser finds overcoming niggling injuries the toughest challenge.

The mother-of-three is still feeling the effects of a knee injury she suffered as a teenager.

She now has a partial torn tendon in her foot.

"The foot injury is the sorer of the two but I can't tear it any further so it can only be painful and nothing more. The old knee injury has the bigger chance of stopping me from completing the marathon."

She reached her pre-marathon goal of running 32km around west Auckland with her family waiting at points along the circuit with water bottles.

"It has been a very busy year because my youngest child has just started going to kindergarten but the family has been very supportive.

"My children would take their bikes and cheer me on as I ran."

The marathon is another 10km but Mrs Wittwer Blaser says that won't stop her.

"I now have an obligation to finish as a lot of supporters are paying money for me to reach the end."

Go to www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/PiaWittwer to support Pia's fundraising efforts for CatWalk.

Stuff - Turei Mackey