Conquer Cancer - Hour One

As you know, this month I am taking part in a World Record attempt, as part of Conquer Cancer Australia.

These legends have been moving a baton around Princes Park since Saturday, with runners, joggers and walkers taking one-hour shifts. Some are even doing multiple hours back-to-back. They are supported by an amazing team, who are very well prepared and organised.

This morning, as the sun was rising above Parkville, I arrived nice and early and was briefed on the mechanics of the baton handover at the start of the stint, where to run, and what to do if I arrived back at the handover area before the next baton-holder. I was given a bib with the number 4 on it, a running belt with a phone which would record my effort to Strava, and a bodycam, which will be used to verify that I kept moving for the whole time I had the baton. Before setting off, I recorded a short video message verifying my details and the date and time for future verification, and then I waited in the handover area for the baton to come in, which it did just after 06:45.

I was off.

The camera promptly dropped from the running belt, but I kept moving and a team member came and reattached it as I walked out of the handover area and onto the main track around Princes Park.

This is one of Melbourne’s most popular running circuits and there were plenty of runners of all paces doing laps in either direction at this time of day. It felt good to be a part of this. About one kilometre into the lap a bunch of athletes cheered me on, recognising the baton and the bib, and I heard one of them say that we’ve been running for five days. I thought, “I’ve been running for five minutes!”

By the end of my first lap, it was full daylight and I could see a friend waiting for me. He’d said he’d hoped to join me, jet lag permitting, and it made my morning to see him standing there. My pace picked up a little with the cheers from the Conquer Cancer team and my new running companion for motivation. The next two laps went past in a flash as we ran and chatted, and as we came to the end of lap three, I could see the next runner ready to receive the baton, which was absolutely perfect.

The world record attempt is only one part of this important endeavour. The most significant factor is raising much-needed funding for brain cancer research and to assist those in need while dealing with this awful disease. To those who would like to donate, you can do so on my fundraising page, and I will be very grateful to you. And a huge thank you to my current sponsors: Anonymous, Marcus & Mum for your generosity! 💓

I am looking forward to my second stint next Wednesday morning at six o’clock.