Ben Stammer

Can Too Beyond

Marathons around Australia #8 of 8 DONE: Gold Coast Marathon

At about the 18km mark today the Gold Coast Marathon, I ran past a Japanese lady holding two signs which she was enthusiastically waving in support of the runners. One was in Japanese and the other in English. The English sign just said “fight”. It’s a powerful emotion to think about when you are running and have to dig deep to finish.

But I actually think the word “fight” is so much bigger than me or running and it encapsulates your generous support of the Can Too Foundation. Can Too is the primary funder for Cure Cancer who provide much needed funds to young innovative researchers to fight cancer (including a number of rarer cancers). So as I ran past this Japanese supporter with the fight sign, I had a moment reflecting on how generous you have been in donating to cancer research, but also how important the fight is.

Thank you very much for your support over the 12 months of this challenge.

I did finish the Gold Coast Marathon today in overcast and humid conditions in 3:46, my fastest marathon over the 8 and a post 40 y.o. PB!

It was fantastic to have Juliet and the kids (decked out in their Can Too orange caps) and my parents along the route in support.

I feel so lucky to be able to run and fight as part of the running challenge. Thank you again for your support of the Can Too Foundation to allow the cancer researchers to be able to fight cancer in their specialist areas.

Ben

Marathons around Australia - one to go!

 

Hi all,
This coming Sunday 1 July, I’m running the last of 8 marathons in each state and territory of Australia over 12 months at the Gold Coast Marathon (Qld) in support of the Can Too Foundation. It will be extra special as well to be in Queensland after that epic NSW Origin win last night!

 A quick recap:

 July 2017 Outback Marathon (NT) 4:08

September 2017 Sydney Marathon (NSW) 3:55

October 2017 Melbourne Marathon (VIC) 3:59

December 2017 Lifeline Marathon Canberra (ACT) 3:59

January 2018 Cadbury Hobart Marathon (TAS) 3:59

March 2018 Semaphore Coastal Marathon (SA) 3:53

April 2018 Bunbury Marathon (WA) 4:03

July 1 2018 … Gold Coast Marathon ???

Since I started training for this challenge (Jan 2017), I’ve run 2,495 km, gone through four pairs of running shoes and, you probably don’t want to know, over a tub of vaseline!

Really looking forward to the last run at the Gold Coast Marathon – Juliet and the kids + Mum and Dad will be there to support me.

Thank-you for your support of the Can Too Foundation raising vital funds for the research, prevention, care and control of cancer. If you haven’t already or would like to make one last donation for the 2018 tax year please go to: http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Ben

#7 of 8 DONE: Bunbury Marathon WA

On Sunday morning I completed the super scenic Bunbury 3 Waters Marathon in WA. Pictured below with a lady I’ve bumped into at a few of the marathons around Australia. Rebecca is a legend and with this run completed her Australian marathon sweep. Not bad for a self-proclaimed “reluctant runner”!

I was stoked to finish this one as I managed to trip over at about 19km and hit my head. The cut above my eye kept bleeding but a sympathetic course marshall donated her hanky which helped me get going again. I slowed down a fair bit in the second half and was very happy to finish in a time of 4:05. I may well be the only person who has managed to get a black eye from a fun run!

Thanks for your support of the Can Too Foundation. With your support, Can Too is closing in of $20M raised since the first Can Too coached run in 2005.

If you would like to donate or see my prior run reports, please use the following link https://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927

Next up at the end of June is my FINAL marathon at the Gold Coast. I’m really looking forward to the next 2.5 months before the Gold Coast to get back into a regular training routine.  

Your support of the Can Too Foundation is greatly appreciated.

#6 of 8 DONE: Semaphore Coastal Marathon SA

Yesterday I ran the flat and scenic Semaphore Coastal Marathon in Adelaide. Thank you to my wonderful parents, Lee and Don, who travelled to Adelaide to support me. 
 
The unseasonably cool February weather helped me run a few minutes faster than my previous few marathons and I finished in 3  hours and 53 minutes. I was overtaken by a young bloke with about 1km to go and he pipped me to 3rd place, so I missed the only podium finish I may ever get (I should probably disclose there were only 19 people running the marathon!)
 
Thanks again for your support of the Can Too Foundation. With your support, Can Too is closing in of $20M raised since the first Can Too run in 2005. Vital funds raised to continue investing in breakthrough cancer research projects like Prof Phoebe Phillips, whose team has developed a highly promising technology to treat pancreatic cancer, the most chemo resistant and deadly cancer in Australia. 
 
Next up for me is a marathon in Bunbury WA in 5 weeks on April 8 and then I’m very much looking forward to the last one which is the Gold Coast marathon at the end of June.

#5 of 8 DONE: Cadbury Hobart Marathon

#5 of 8 Marathons around Australia DONE: Cadbury Marathon Hobart TAS. The photo opportunity at the end with Caramello Koala kept me going through the run and I finished with a time of 3:59 (same time as the last 2 marathons in Melbourne and Canberra!). So lucky to have had the support out on the course from my wonderful Mum and Dad. We’ve had a fantastic weekend in Hobart together. Next up is a small field marathon in Adelaide in late Feb, but before that off to Hakuba skiing!

#4 of 8 DONE: ACT Lifeline Marathon

The small field of 29 people running the marathon was a very different experience to the big city runs, but it was a very enjoyable run around Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday morning. 

I just scraped in under 4 hours at 3:59:16 (7 seconds slower than my time in Melbourne 3 weeks ago - clearly I’ve found my plodding pace consistency). 

Now looking forward to a couple of months off and being able to get into a training routine again before the Hobart Marathon on Jan 14. 

Thanks again for your support of the Can Too Foundation. Together we have raised over $13k vs. my target of $15k over the 8 marathons to be run between July 2017 and June 2018. 

#3 of 8 DONE - Melbourne Marathon

Melbourne put on a perfect day (I know that sounds weird!) on Sunday for the running of the 40th Melbourne Marathon.
 
The legs were still a bit heavy after the Sydney marathon four weeks before, but I took it easy and just scraped in just under 4 hours (3:59:06!). Finishing inside the MCG was special  - please forgive the double fist pump in the attached photo as I got close to the finish line!. 
 
Thank-you for your generous contribution to the Can Too Foundation raising vital funds for the research, prevention, care and control of cancer. If you haven’t already, but would like to make a donation, please click the following link http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927
 
My next marathon is now scheduled in 2.5 weeks from now on Nov 4th in the ACT. This one is a little earlier than planned as the ACT run I was aiming for in mid Dec is not being run this year. 
 
Your support is greatly appreciated. 
 
Thank you. 
Ben

#2 of 8 DONE: Sydney Marathon

On an ideal Sydney Sunday morning, I completed the Sydney Running Festival Marathon as part of the Can Too fundraising team. Ran a pretty relaxed time of 3:55, 13 minutes faster than the #1 Outback Marathon (Sydney was approximately 13 degrees cooler vs Uluru!). 

 

It was a privilege to be part of the Can Too team - training, fundraising and running in the Sydney Running Festival (if you have a swim, tri or run goal please contact me or go towww.cantoo.org.au). 

 

Thank-you for your generous contribution to the Can Too Foundation raising vital funds for the research, prevention, care and control of cancer. If you haven’t already, but would like to make a donation, please click the following link http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927

 

Thanks again for your support. Four weeks until the Melbourne Marathon - just enough time for recovery, one long run and then taper!

 

Cheers

Ben

Getting ready for #2 of 8: the head shave

Looking forward to the Sydney Marathon on Sunday (will be #2 of 8 Sydney marathons around Australia). Head shaved today in recognition of your fundraising support (definitely not for the look)! Thank-you to all those who have donated thus far. Link attached if you would like to donate. https://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927 
Family members threatening to disown me with the new head!

#1 of 8 Marathons DONE : Australian Outback Marathon NT (29 July 2017)

#1 of 8 marathons DONE! I completed the Australian Outback Marathon in NT on Saturday morning. My slowest marathon time to date (4:08) but probably the most enjoyable marathon I’ve run on the sacred, red and dusty land close to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. An amazing experience. 

Thanks to my beautiful wife and support crew, Juliet Warne, for braving the cold sunrise and then hanging around in the middle of the desert into the 30degree heat of the day to cheer me on!

 
Thank-you also for your generous support in donating to the Can Too Foundation raising vital funds for the research, prevention, care and control of cancer. If you haven’t already, but would like to make a donation, please click the following link http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/BenStammer2927
 
I will now recover for a week and then get back into the training for the Sydney Blackmores Running Festival Marathon on the 17th Sep 2017 (for which, based on your generous support in reaching my initial fundraising target, I WILL be shaving my head). 
 
Thanks again for your wishes and support - only 7 marathons to go over the next 11 months!

Marathons around Australia challenge

As you may know, I enjoy getting out for a run. Always have and if the old body holds out, I hope I will always will.

Now my goal is to push myself to a personal challenge that I've long wanted to attempt - to run a marathon in every state and territory of Australia within a year. That is 8 marathons over 12 months.

The schedule is as follows (and it’s only “mainland” Australian territories - Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and the Australian Antarctic Territory don’t count!):

Jul-17     

 NT

Australian Outback Marathon

Sep-17

 NSW

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Marathon

Oct-17

 VIC

Melbourne Marathon

Dec-17

 ACT

Canberra Summer Marathon Series

Jan-18

 Tasmania

Cadbury Marathon Hobart

Apr-18

 WA

Bunbury Marathon

May-18

 SA

Barossa Marathon

Jul-18

 QLD

Gold Coast Marathon

To help me train for this challenge, I’ve joined the team from Can Too, a wonderful organisation that provides professional coaching and support to people to achieve their goals in running, swimming, tri or endurance events. I ran with Can Too in their first marathon program in 2006 in Sydney and they have been going strong ever since.

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer through Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Council NSW.

Please support me on this challenge and help these important cancer charities!

Thank-you for your support!

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1.01k

Anonymous

You are an inspiration Ben.

$1,000

Flag Group

Great Challenge Ben and a great cause, we hope you go well

$1,000

Kristin Stammer

Go Ben - amazing goal.

$510

Andrew And Debbie Roberts

BS A fantastic personal and community accomplishment. A huge effort and outcome. Good speed on Sunday. Andrew and Debbie

$510

Tim And Caro

Great effort Ben. Enjoy the time on the road and see you in Barossa. Cheers, Tim and Caro and kids

$510

Don And Lee Stammer

Great achievement Ben . Fun to be with you- as spectators!

$510

Dale Gordon

You are an inspiration Ben!! Behind you all the way. You rock!! Lara and the G's

$510

Freiheits

What happened to the old days when birthdays resulted in a few beers with a few mates....8 marathons? outstanding!

$500

Ben Stammer

$500

C. Tan

Best of luck and stay injury free mate!

$310

Ken Hyman

Ben you're a quiet hero. Inspirational to all

$310

Gregory Banks

Ben, what a fantastic athletic achievement for a superb cause. Wish I had the ability and endurance to participate in so many marathons as you have endured.

$300

Meg Smith

Good luck and good running!

$260

Will Riley

I take my hat off to you Ben, that's a tremendous effort.

$260

Jason And Felix Henchman

Congrats Ben - really inspirational! xx

$260

Marty

Good luck at the Goldie mate!!!

$260

Martin Caramians

Hi mate, great work and for my favourite cause.

$260

Anonymous

Good luck with all the running!

$260

Thu Nguyen

Amazing efforts to raise money for this great cause, thanks Ben. You are a genuine athlete of great courage and grace.

$260

Don And Lee

Go Ben - well done! We're with you ALL THE WAY !

$260

Tony Fitzgerald

Well done Ben!

$260

Richard And Pamela

Love this challenge. Good luck with the training.

$250

Richard Lee

Congratulations Ben. Big achievement for a big cause. Much to celebrate. Richard, John, Maia and Rubes.

$250

Stuart Towers

Good work Ben, love your work and efforts to raise money for this excellent cause.

$250

Rod J

Ben You are a champion person.

$250

Catherine Mcneil

Congratulations Ben on this epic achievement. Hope you can have an enjoyable finale with the family cheering you on! Look forward to celebrating with you in July, love David & Catherine

$208

Richard

Big effort Ben. Looks like that head is getting shaved! Best of luck. Richard, John, Maia and Ruby.

$208

Jim & Jane

Good Luck Ben - enjoy the drink stations at the Barossa Marathon looking forward to seeing you with my haircut

$208

Nick Blewitt

Mate inspirational stuff, great work!!

$208

The Harrell Family

Go Ben! 1 down; 7 to go! You are an inspiration to all!

$208

N & M Wyrill

Awesome effort Ben. Good luck!

$208

Derek Goh

Great initiatives. Add oil (meaning all the best)

$208

Jon S

$208

Phil

Better you than me Ben. good luck!! Phil and Kirsty

$208

Anthony Matthews

Amazing effort mate .... all the best !

$208

Edward Carter

$208

Andrew Hardy

Well Done Ben, very best of luck.

$200

The Crellin Family

Fantastic effort Ben! A great cause. I hope the conditions are favourable and that you recover well.

$200

Kirby And Michelle

Keep going Forest. Great effort

$200

Annie Crawford

Ben - Thank you so much for your continued amazing support of Can Too!!! You are incredible and I feel grateful to have you on the team

$200

Lucy Hookway

Amazing work Ben - good luck

$200

Nisha Sachdev

Go Coach Ben!!! What an amazing achievement! So inspirational!!! :-)

$200

Thurgarland Family

What mid(ish) life crisis. Good luck mate. Great cause.

$200

Max

Great cause Ben, best of luck.

$200

Annie Crawford

You are unbelievable!!! Thank you so much for your support through Can Too Beyond!!

$200

B-l Family

Good luck Ben. Great effort and example to the rest of us !!!

$200

Karn & Jess Ghosh

Congrats and love your work Ben!!

$182

Paul Mitchell

$156

Anonymous

Well done for pushing on at Bunbury. One to go! Don and Lee

$156

The Andersons

Ben - what a schedule! Great causes.....we wish you all the very best of luck with the training and the running! Mark, Emma, Joe and Fred xx

$130

Clara Jago

Have fun, enjoy and good luck. Maybe Juliet may need the good luck with support! xo

$111.28

Mccasker Family

Go Ben - looking forward to the updates

$104

Warren Phillips

Well done, mate - heroic effort!

$104

Richard Harper

Hope you've left your best for last ...

$104

Andrew Mcdermott

Brilliant Ben!

$104

Hai Vu

Hi Ben, I am donating this on behalf of my sister-in-law Lien. She wishes you all the best for your last Marathon run. She admires your action for supporting cancer research and treatment. best wishes from Hai

$104

Don And Lee Stammer

Fantastic run in Canberra- congratulations Ben !

$104

Don And Lee Stammer

Fantastic run in Canberra- congratulations Ben !

$104

Paul & Hilary

Outstanding effort

$104

Ab

Let the journey begin!

$104

Moorcroft Family

Run Ben!, Run!

$104

Dan

I would have doubled it if you had done the Antarctic.

$104

David Malcolm

Great run Ben. Good luck on the rest of your trip around Australia!

$104

Anne Moal

$104

Hai Vu

Hi Ben, all the best with your last Marathon in Gold Coast. We are very proud of you. You will have your whole family next to you and all of us thinking of you and offering our support to you as well. lots of Love from Thanh & Hai

$104

Hai Vu

Hello Ben, We know you are taking a break. Just happened to notice that you are getting closer to achieving your fund raising goal. Please let us know if you will have further activities this year. Love from Thanh & Hai

$104

Walshie

Great work Ben, and good luck with the next 6!

$104

Anna Wild

Good luck Ben - such an epic achievement- yeahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

$104

Angus Dixon

Sensational effort Ben - for such a great cause. Well done.

$104

Chris Cuthbert

Well done

$104

Thomas Family

Good on you Ben, look forward to seeing the progress. Perhaps the shaved head will make you go faster!

$104

Kate & Michael Phillip

Well done Ben! You're amazing.

$104

Murrae Ross-eskell

I think you are mad but you have all my respect!! Hope it continues to go well!!

$104

Tom And Isabel Wilson

$104

Nga Kwan

Well done Ben. I hope you will have a good rest and I wish the final run in GC will be smooth, safe and fun for you. Nga

$104

Chris Black

Good luck

$104

James Shillo

Awesome work

$104

Hai Vu

Hi Ben, all the best with your Marathon in Adelaide and remaining runs . Your parents must be very proud of you and so we are. Thanks a lot for helping Don with setting up the telescope @ Boomerang. I've just done some final adjustments and its ready to be used. I will prepare a short instruction on how to use it. Lots of love from Thanh & Hai message from Boomerang Beach

$104

Lee And Don

Fantastic run today - congratulations!

$104

Sarah And Mick

A cause close to our hearts. Good luck Ben - what an amazing challenge!

$104

Mags Mead

What a legend! Unbelievable challenge and a great cause. Very best of luck from all the Meads xxx

$104

Don And Lee

Another great effort today in Melbourne- Congratulations!

$104

Beardsell Family

Great cause! Well done.

$104

Will Manfield

$104

Sedgwick Family

Awesome effort Ben. We will be tracking you.

$104

Anna Warne

Good luck Ben!

$104

Birgitt Saunders

You are doing an inspirational thing. Well done!!!

$104

Cam Smyth

Nice one Ben - we need an update as to what is getting shaved if you hit 7.5k....

$104

Nic Hyde

Big commitment Ben - good luck and friendly conditions!

$104

Jacinda

Go Ben! You’re a huge inspiration. Keep on running!

$104

Andrew

Awesome challenge and great cause

$100

R & R

Well done Ben ....and good luck!!

$100

Michelle Parsonage

$100

You Are Amazing!

Legend! With love, The Ruddicks

$100

Nga Kwan

Amazing effort. My hat off to you too. Wishing you a safe and smooth run on this last one of 8 marathons. God bless you and your family.

$100

Moz Ali

Great work Ben!

$100

Alison & David

Inspiring! Good luck with the last one. Amazing fundraising achievement too.

$100

Thu Nguyen

Congratulations on reaching your momentous goal with your best record.

$100

Madeleine Mcdonell And Andrew Knox

Well done Ben. You're a legend. We're proud of you. Andrew and Madeleine x

$100

Caz Saunders

Incredible effort Ben, well done.xx

$100

Thu

Thank you for doing a great cause.

$100

Mark S

Awesome, good luck.

$100

Mike Backwell

Well done Ben- U R da Man

$100

Nga Kwan

Wow 8 marathons in a year. Amazing effort. Go, Ben go. 3 more to go...you are almost there. PS I am one of the admirers of your beautiful parents :)

$100

The Cleary Family

Good luck with your Marathon Challenge. xo

$52

Andy M

$52

Marlene Van Vuuren

You are amazing- Good luck!

$52

Claire Moulsher

Such an inspiration. Do try not to knock yourself out this time. The Easties need you! ?

$52

Anne Carter

Good luck Ben.

$52

James Hasemer

Go Ben!

$52

Piera Barnes

What a champ ! xS&P

$52

Heidi Martin

Well done Ben .... congrats x

$52

Scott Wagstaff

Good luck mate, hope the body holds up!

$52

Gus Medeiros

Well done Ben!

$52

Etel Hammond-roldan

A small contribution to your fundraising goal. Run well Ben

$52

Katie Taylor

Congrats Ben! Such a great effort. Still working on my training plan so maybe will get to see you at the Gold Coast marathon finale :)

$52

Andy Bremner

$52

Gemma Kovaloff

All the best!

$52

Anonymous

$52

Philippa Jameson

Amazing undertaking ! Good luck & enjoy !

$52

Anonymous

Very impressive you are a good man, run well

$52

Joe Turner

You better shave your head.

$50

Anonymous

Good luck Ben!!!

$50

James Hasemer

Too much time on your hands, I reckon!

$50

Christine Teo

You're such an inspiration Ben! Keep changing the world one step at a time!

$50

Petra Mcgeorge

Well done Ben!

$50

Jackie

A wonderful effort Ben - much luck with the remaining 7!

$50

Kody Hayes

Good on you, Ben. [Don't] Break a leg!

$50

Susan Killingback

$30

Caroline Bowman

Well done Ben great cause and good luck

$25

Zoe Jennings

YOU LEGEND!! Inspiring stuff - hope you smash the last race!

$20.80

Jane Warne

$20

James Hasemer

Congrats on your WA run Ben!