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!
My Updates
Marathons around Australia #8 of 8 DONE: Gold Coast Marathon
Sunday 1st Jul
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!
Monday 25th Jun
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
Tuesday 10th Apr
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
Monday 26th Feb
#5 of 8 DONE: Cadbury Hobart Marathon
Monday 26th Feb
#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
Tuesday 7th Nov
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
Thursday 19th Oct
#2 of 8 DONE: Sydney Marathon
Tuesday 19th Sep
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
Friday 15th Sep
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)
Tuesday 1st Aug
#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 to everyone who has made a donation towards my goal
$104
Hai Vu
$104
Angus Dixon
Sensational effort Ben - for such a great cause. Well done.
$1.01k
Anonymous
You are an inspiration Ben.
$260
Tony Fitzgerald
Well done Ben!
$510
Don And Lee Stammer
Great achievement Ben . Fun to be with you- as spectators!
$100
Caz Saunders
Incredible effort Ben, well done.xx
$100
Madeleine Mcdonell And Andrew Knox
Well done Ben. You're a legend. We're proud of you. Andrew and Madeleine x
$100
Thu Nguyen
Congratulations on reaching your momentous goal with your best record.
$250
Richard Lee
Congratulations Ben. Big achievement for a big cause. Much to celebrate. Richard, John, Maia and Rubes.
$52
Heidi Martin
Well done Ben .... congrats x
$104
Chris Cuthbert
Well done
$104
Anna Wild
Good luck Ben - such an epic achievement- yeahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
$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
$260
Jason And Felix Henchman
Congrats Ben - really inspirational! xx
$25
Zoe Jennings
YOU LEGEND!! Inspiring stuff - hope you smash the last race!
$52
Andy M
$510
Andrew And Debbie Roberts
BS A fantastic personal and community accomplishment. A huge effort and outcome. Good speed on Sunday. Andrew and Debbie
$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
$100
Mike Backwell
Well done Ben- U R da Man
$510
Dale Gordon
You are an inspiration Ben!! Behind you all the way. You rock!! Lara and the G's
$208
Derek Goh
Great initiatives. Add oil (meaning all the best)
$200
Nisha Sachdev
Go Coach Ben!!! What an amazing achievement! So inspirational!!! :-)
$100
Alison & David
Inspiring! Good luck with the last one. Amazing fundraising achievement too.
$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
$50
Christine Teo
You're such an inspiration Ben! Keep changing the world one step at a time!
$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.
$260
Martin Caramians
Hi mate, great work and for my favourite cause.
$260
Marty
Good luck at the Goldie mate!!!
$52
Claire Moulsher
Such an inspiration. Do try not to knock yourself out this time. The Easties need you! ?
$52
Marlene Van Vuuren
You are amazing- Good luck!
$260
Will Riley
I take my hat off to you Ben, that's a tremendous effort.
$104
Andrew Mcdermott
Brilliant Ben!
$104
Richard Harper
Hope you've left your best for last ...
$104
Warren Phillips
Well done, mate - heroic effort!
$104
Jacinda
Go Ben! You’re a huge inspiration. Keep on running!
$200
Karn & Jess Ghosh
Congrats and love your work Ben!!
$20
James Hasemer
Congrats on your WA run Ben!
$100
Thu
Thank you for doing a great cause.
$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
Tom And Isabel Wilson
$156
Anonymous
Well done for pushing on at Bunbury. One to go! Don and Lee
$250
Rod J
Ben You are a champion person.
$52
Piera Barnes
What a champ ! xS&P
$208
Edward Carter
$50
Susan Killingback
$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
$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 :)
$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.
$260
Thu Nguyen
Amazing efforts to raise money for this great cause, thanks Ben. You are a genuine athlete of great courage and grace.
$104
Birgitt Saunders
You are doing an inspirational thing. Well done!!!
$52
Anonymous
$310
Ken Hyman
Ben you're a quiet hero. Inspirational to all
$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 :)
$104
Don And Lee Stammer
Fantastic run in Canberra- congratulations Ben !
$104
Don And Lee Stammer
Fantastic run in Canberra- congratulations Ben !
$182
Paul Mitchell
$104
Anne Moal
$200
Kirby And Michelle
Keep going Forest. Great effort
$104
Don And Lee
Another great effort today in Melbourne- Congratulations!
$208
Anthony Matthews
Amazing effort mate .... all the best !
$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
$104
Walshie
Great work Ben, and good luck with the next 6!
$50
Petra Mcgeorge
Well done Ben!
$104
David Malcolm
Great run Ben. Good luck on the rest of your trip around Australia!
$20.80
Jane Warne
$104
Lee And Don
Fantastic run today - congratulations!
$52
Etel Hammond-roldan
A small contribution to your fundraising goal. Run well Ben
$104
Paul & Hilary
Outstanding effort
$52
James Hasemer
Go Ben!
$208
The Harrell Family
Go Ben! 1 down; 7 to go! You are an inspiration to all!
$100
Michelle Parsonage
$200
Annie Crawford
You are unbelievable!!! Thank you so much for your support through Can Too Beyond!!
$208
N & M Wyrill
Awesome effort Ben. Good luck!
$104
James Shillo
Awesome work
$50
Jackie
A wonderful effort Ben - much luck with the remaining 7!
$200
Lucy Hookway
Amazing work Ben - good luck
$52
Gus Medeiros
Well done Ben!
$104
Murrae Ross-eskell
I think you are mad but you have all my respect!! Hope it continues to go well!!
$104
Kate & Michael Phillip
Well done Ben! You're amazing.
$100
You Are Amazing!
Legend! With love, The Ruddicks
$510
Freiheits
What happened to the old days when birthdays resulted in a few beers with a few mates....8 marathons? outstanding!
$104
Thomas Family
Good on you Ben, look forward to seeing the progress. Perhaps the shaved head will make you go faster!
$208
Jim & Jane
Good Luck Ben - enjoy the drink stations at the Barossa Marathon looking forward to seeing you with my haircut
$260
Richard And Pamela
Love this challenge. Good luck with the training.
$208
Andrew Hardy
Well Done Ben, very best of luck.
$52
Anonymous
Very impressive you are a good man, run well
$208
Phil
Better you than me Ben. good luck!! Phil and Kirsty
$510
Tim And Caro
Great effort Ben. Enjoy the time on the road and see you in Barossa. Cheers, Tim and Caro and kids
$104
Dan
I would have doubled it if you had done the Antarctic.
$111.28
Mccasker Family
Go Ben - looking forward to the updates
$50
James Hasemer
Too much time on your hands, I reckon!
$50
Anonymous
Good luck Ben!!!
$104
Moorcroft Family
Run Ben!, Run!
$260
Anonymous
Good luck with all the running!
$52
Anne Carter
Good luck Ben.
$208
Nick Blewitt
Mate inspirational stuff, great work!!
$104
Ab
Let the journey begin!
$104
Anna Warne
Good luck Ben!
$104
Will Manfield
$200
Thurgarland Family
What mid(ish) life crisis. Good luck mate. Great cause.
$52
Scott Wagstaff
Good luck mate, hope the body holds up!
$100
Moz Ali
Great work Ben!
$30
Caroline Bowman
Well done Ben great cause and good luck
$300
Meg Smith
Good luck and good running!
$200
The Crellin Family
Fantastic effort Ben! A great cause. I hope the conditions are favourable and that you recover well.
$100
R & R
Well done Ben ....and good luck!!
$208
Richard
Big effort Ben. Looks like that head is getting shaved! Best of luck. Richard, John, Maia and Ruby.
$100
The Cleary Family
Good luck with your Marathon Challenge. xo
$104
Andrew
Awesome challenge and great cause
$52
Joe Turner
You better shave your head.
$104
Nic Hyde
Big commitment Ben - good luck and friendly conditions!
$104
Cam Smyth
Nice one Ben - we need an update as to what is getting shaved if you hit 7.5k....
$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
$52
Philippa Jameson
Amazing undertaking ! Good luck & enjoy !
$104
Sedgwick Family
Awesome effort Ben. We will be tracking you.
$200
B-l Family
Good luck Ben. Great effort and example to the rest of us !!!
$130
Clara Jago
Have fun, enjoy and good luck. Maybe Juliet may need the good luck with support! xo
$104
Beardsell Family
Great cause! Well done.
$104
Mags Mead
What a legend! Unbelievable challenge and a great cause. Very best of luck from all the Meads xxx
$1,000
Kristin Stammer
Go Ben - amazing goal.
$104
Sarah And Mick
A cause close to our hearts. Good luck Ben - what an amazing challenge!
$250
Stuart Towers
Good work Ben, love your work and efforts to raise money for this excellent cause.
$52
Gemma Kovaloff
All the best!
$260
Don And Lee
Go Ben - well done! We're with you ALL THE WAY !
$208
Jon S
$200
Max
Great cause Ben, best of luck.
$52
Andy Bremner
$100
Mark S
Awesome, good luck.
$50
Kody Hayes
Good on you, Ben. [Don't] Break a leg!
$500
C. Tan
Best of luck and stay injury free mate!
$104
Chris Black
Good luck
$1,000
Flag Group
Great Challenge Ben and a great cause, we hope you go well
$500
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