Brisbane to Mooloolaba - tales of a daft bugger with a big heart.

On Monday, September 26th, I was privileged to be a part of Glen Hendry’s 100 km run from Mooloolaba to Brisbane (finishing at the Southbank Piazza).

Glen has been talked about undertaking a solo run for charity since I’ve known him (about 4½ years). First it was Toowoomba to Brisbane, then Gympie to Brisbane but the logistics were difficult. Then, without warning on September 20th, I, along with many others, received an e-mail from Glen with a link to the event blog and the charity page – it would take place on the 26th, less than a week away.

Glen’s like only one other person I know. He did all this for others. People he didn’t know. He did this on top of his regular ‘Superhero’ visits to the local children’s hospital (where he and his mates dress up as superheros and generally make kids happy!). He doesn’t get to do the training that some of us do, he’s not like me, he’s too selfless. It’s never about Glen.

Long story short, he just got on with it. I joined him at the 60 km mark and ran the 40 km from Burpengary to Southbank. With 27 km to go, we were joined by Matthew ‘Beer Tits’ Venamore (the furthest run he’s ever undertaken I believe) and then David Whyte from about 10 km out.

We arrived at Southbank to his family and my girlfriend Donna (which was great for me), his crew and a few others. Glen finished, in typical Glen fashion, totally smashed in around 14:14 raising over $2000 for the Deaf & Blind Children Society.

The point of this entry? I’ve never ran anything for anyone else but me. Sure, I’ve paced a few marathons and helped some people reach some goals, but they’re usually an opportunity to take part in an event at no cost while getting a sense of achievement other than a PB – not to dismiss the amazing feeling you get leading a group across the line in their goal time.

Proud to be your mate, mate.

Footnote: it seems that 100 km isn't enough these days.  I posted details of this event on Cool Running, under both local Queensland events and the ultra running thread.  Not one single comment of encouragement, let alone a donation for the charity.  Obviously, unless you're running around Australia like Ron Grant or Pole to Pole (as Pat Farmer is currently doing) then 100km is a bit, 'so what?'

I'm not really a runner myself, just someone who has endurance and can put a good race together on occasion.  I'll never refer to myself as an ultra runner, sometimes I'd be simply ashamed to.