Thousands of runners are gearing up to participate in this weekend’s Blue Nose Marathon. Many racers will be representing worthy charities, including the event's top fundraiser, Dave van de Wetering.

The Halifax resident is a lifelong runner who has completed a long list of physical challenges. However, nothing compares to his most recent race, when he competed in the world’s coolest marathon, the UVU North Pole Marathon.

“This I thought would be a little extreme and pretty interesting,” says van de Wetering.

To prepare for the race, van de Wetering trained in freezing conditions, exposed to the elements and all types of terrain.

“Anytime it was cold this winter, I said ‘no problem, I don't mind,’ I embraced the cold,” says van de Wetering.

While increasing his endurance and tolerance, van de Wetering raised money to build homes in Nova Scotia.

“For these families it provides stability, it provides better health, it provides opportunity,” says Marie-France LeBlanc with Habitat For Humanity.

When van de Wetering landed at the North Pole the cold set in.

“On race day it was minus thirty, with a windchill of minus 41,” recalls van de Wetering. “As long as you were running and moving at a good pace you were fine. It was the footing that was the tough part for me.”

He crossed the finish line at eight hours, 29 seconds.

“The best part was my running buddy showed up at about 800 meters, we finished within a minute of each other. We got a picture together, it was a great finish.”

Van de Wetering completed all 42 grueling kilometers and while that race was over, he wasn’t done running or fundraising.

Van de Wetering has recruited nine other runners to help him in the charity challenge at the Blue Nose Marathon, including 12-year-old Riley Workman.

“Just knowing that there’s people out there without a house and stuff, you want to help them,” says Workman. “I want to raise $2,000, yeah, that’s my goal.”

Van de Wetering says volunteering and contributing to a worthy cause makes him feel good, and with the help of his team, he will chase his fundraising goal to the finish line.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl