Geelong local to run seven marathons in seven days

RUNNING seven marathons in seven days isn’t for the faint of heart but Geelong local Richard Egan is just warming up.

Richie is taking part in Bravehearts’ seventh annual 777 Marathon in June, where 39 runners tackle seven marathons over seven days.

The Bravehearts challenge forms part of the 21-year-old’s plan to run 100 marathons in his lifetime.

Bravehearts is an organisation which provides child protection training, education programs and specialist child exploitation counselling and support services. To date, Richie has run 13 marathons in total, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The act of putting all those miles into the legs is but one aspect of how Richie is trying to live an intentional life; one that involves a never-ending process of building mental toughness, through the constant practice of discipline and seeking out the uncomfortable.

“I don’t think there is really any one way to train to do seven in seven days because you are always balancing the risk of injury versus being over prepared,” Mr Egan said.

“I did one a few weeks ago in Canberra and that was all about running fast and getting into the triple seven and now I will focus more on upping the weekly kilometres a bit more but also practicing running when I don’t want to run.”

To Richie it’s all about getting out of your comfort zone.

“You have to practice being uncomfortable and doing things you don’t want to do,” he said.

“I don’t mind running when I’m tired and running at times when I would be sleeping as it helps mimic some of the physical and mental challenges I’ll face on the day.”

To other people thinking about following in his footsteps Richie recommends starting small.

“Start with one, you need to have a reference point,” he said.

Richie is an Australian Army Reservist and says his reservist commitments have complemented his marathon training.

“It might sound like a cliché but it has helped me build resilience and endurance,” he said.

Bravehearts representative Kayleen Johnston said instead of running a marathon in seven different states, the seven marathons this year will take place in seven Queensland locations.

“We were forced to cancel our major fundraiser last year due to COVID-19, so this year, with continued uncertainty around border closures, we wanted to ensure the event would go ahead,” Ms Johnston said.

“This year our national runners will be taking on seven marathons in seven days throughout Queensland including Brisbane, Townsville, and Mount Isa,” she said.

The 777 Marathon is the charity’s major annual fundraiser with all funds raised used to support vital counselling and support services, as well as sexual assault prevention programs.

Kicking off in Toowoomba on June 28, Bravehearts’ 777 will work its way through Brisbane, Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay before culminating at the Gold Coast Marathon on July 4.