AN inspiring story of mateship will come to what is sure to be an emotional conclusion on October 25 when Numbaa’s Callum Ryan completes his eighth marathon this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
All have been in honour of his late mate Malachy Frawley, who died from congenital heart disease aged just 14, in 2013.
Wanting to do something to honour “Mac”, Callum 21, set himself the goal of running a marathon in each state of Australia.
All in the one year, and at the same time raise funds for HeartKids Australia.
“Our families were close friends. When Mac came to St Michael’s School in kindergarten he chose me as his year 6 buddy,” Callum said.
“Despite being five years younger, he would come and find me and we would spend lunch times together.
“I was aware of his illness. He was unbelievably brave and a real cheeky kid, which was amazing considering what he experienced.
“Even when I went off to school in Sydney we stayed in touch and would catch up when I came home.”
Although a keen basketballer and rugby player when younger, Callum also competed in athletics, although the longest distance he raced was five kilometres.
A far cry from 42.2km of a marathon.
His first run was just 32 days after setting his goal.
“I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare,” he laughed.
“I had completed a couple of half marathons but had never stepped up to the longer distance.
“I read everyone has one marathon in them. I don’t know about eight in one year.
“The professional runners only do three or four a year. Mind you I’m not running sub two hour races either.
“I just wanted to push the envelope.
“It’s been a big ask. But we are almost there now.”
His quest started on January 11 in Tasmania, and he has since completed the Wangaratta Marathon in Victoria on February 22 , the Canberra Times Marathon in the ACT on April 12, the Barossa Valley Marathon, Tanunda, South Australia on May 24, Alice Springs Running Festival Marathon, Desert Springs, Northern Territory on August 16, the Chevron City to Surf Marathon, Perth, Western Australia on August 30 and Blackmores Sydney Marathon, NSW on September 20.
He will complete his quest at the Logan Running Festival Marathon, Berrinba Wetlands in Queensland on October 25.
At one stage he ran three marathons in a five-week period.
His personal best has been 3 hours 16 minutes, his slowest 3.40.
But it has come at a cost.
He suffered Iliotibial band syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee, due to the extra training and had to reschedule his planned Queensland run in July to undergo surgery on his right knee.
“I had about seven weeks between the operation and the run in the NT. I couldn’t miss that as there were no other races there, so I would miss my goal of eight marathons in a year,” he said.
While he managed to complete the race and subsequent runs in WA and NSW it has come at a cost with his left knee now showing similar symptoms.
In many of his runs, especially the last few after surgery, he has drawn inspiration from Mac.
“There were times I thought I mightn’t finish but I would think of Mac and what he went through and all the other kids in Australia who suffer heart problems and what they and their parents or carers have gone through and I just pushed on,” he said.
He initially hoped to raise $5000.
After four runs Callum had reached $4000 and reassessed his efforts and aimed for $15,000.
With one run left he has just over $9000 and is keen to reach his goal.
You can support Calum’s efforts in raising money for HeartKids Australia - Fundraising: www.everydayhero.com.au/EightGreatStates.