Calls to make epic runner Aussie of the Year after raising over $1million for homelessness
<p dir="ltr">A loveable tradie has completed an astonishing feat, running from Perth to Sydney over 46 days. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Nedd Brockmann, 23, ran a total of 3,900km from one side of Australia to the other, completing an average of 85km per day - the equivalent of two marathons. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Brockmann took off from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach on September 1st, as he ran to raise money and awareness for homelessness charity <a href="https://wearemobilise.com/">We Are Mobilise</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He crossed the finish line at North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club on October 17th, after raising over a whopping $1million. </p>
<p dir="ltr">When asked why he chose a homelessness charity to raise funds for, Brockmann said that when he “moved to Sydney I saw a lot of it, it is a lot more prevalent here and I wanted to make a change.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Nobody should not have a bed to sleep in in this country when we have, you know, we have everything at our fingertips,” he told <em>The Project</em>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“So it is something I would love to change and hopefully we have made some ground in that aspect.”</p>
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<p dir="ltr">After 46 days on the run, Nedd admitted the mammoth effort had taken an enormous physical toll, including severe tenosynovitis - inflammation of a tendon - in his shins, massive blisters and maggots in his toes. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Brockmann said on his journey, he woke up in the middle of one night and felt what he thought was an ingrown toenail but found something much more sinister. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“But it was actually maggots and I didn't realise until the next day and it was quite traumatising to be honest,” he said. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Despite the obstacles, he said completing the epic journey in Sydney was like “something out of a movie”. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“I have been so alone on the Nullarbor and all of a sudden running into 10,000 people is just very surreal,” he told <em>The Project</em> moments after finishing the monumental run.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I'm very excited to be home.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nedd documented his entire journey on his Instagram, updating his followers on his progress, while always sharing an inspirational quote and song of the day that is getting him through.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nedd’s incredible selfless journey has people calling for the 23-year-old to be nominated for Australian of the Year. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, nominations for the 2023 awards closed in July, so votes for the running champ will not be counted for consideration until the 2024 awards. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>
