Inaugural ANZAC Day Challenge winner completes 100 kilometre course in eight hours

Over 300 people commemorated the ANZAC Centenary by tackling a gruelling 100 kilometre ultra-marathon around St Ives Showground in Sydney's north over 24-hours, raising funds for defence charities Soldier On and Mates4Mates.

David Casey has won the inaugural ANZAC Day Challenge in 8 hours and 46 minutes, while raising funds for the charity Mates4Mates. He was closely followed by Christian Warren in second place and Todd Hazelgrove in third.

Held on Saturday (25th April), the Challenge began with a commemorative big screen broadcast of the Dawn Service and event ambassador Commando Steve revved up participants with a heart-felt and inspiring speech. He referenced the qualities shown by the ANZACs 100 years ago - courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice – before firing the starting gun. To complete the Challenge competitors had to perform 155 laps around the Showground.

Heidi Rickard was the first solo woman racer to complete the Challenge, coming in at 9 hours and 21 minutes and placing third over all. She was closely followed by Ruby Kwong in second and Dionette Sakova in third who both finished the Challenge in just over 10 hours.

The Challenge raised almost $110,000 for serving and returned serviceman, with $64,000 going to Soldier On and $45,000 to Mates4Mates.

Family and friends were able to cheer on their loved ones as they tackled the gruelling 24-hour charity challenge, with the Showground being illuminated for the entirety of the event. The atmosphere at the Showground was electric, featuring ‘pump-up’ music for competitors, a changing leader board of runners and onsite food and coffee vans.

Each person that took on the Challenge did so for very personal reasons. Canberra-man Todd Berry, an 18-year veteran of the ADF, took on the Challenge to honour some of closets friends that were lost in military service.

Berry explained "it's a good distraction from ANZAC Day for me and a great way to raise awareness and money for Soldier On and I am doing it for my mates as well."

The event was moved to St Ives Showground after the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service deemed the Kuringai and Garigal National Parks unsafe to use after the extreme weather Sydney experienced during the week.

Event organiser, Greg Donovan of Big Run Events, said that the first year event was a huge success and the team are looking forward to getting the event back on the trails of the national parks next year.

Donovan explained "(this) was a very special day for everyone involved. A bit of rain couldn’t stop us from coming together and celebrating 100 years of ANZAC history and ANZAC spirit.

"So many inspirational stories were shared today and we thank everyone for keeping the ANZAC legend alive."

The second annual ANZAC Day Challenge will take place on 23rd April 2016.

Big Run Events is one of Australia’s leading off-road and outback event companies comprising an experienced team of professionals, specialising in running, trekking and outback music events.

Soldier On looks to build on the support offered by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other government and not-for-profit organisations by addressing gaps in the support available for all of Australia’s wounded, serving and ex-serving. Soldier On is funded by generous Australians and every dollar donated to the charity goes towards programs to help our wounded. Soldier On is independent of government and is not part of the Returned and Services League (RSL), Legacy, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mates4Mates evokes the Australian spirit, that a true mate offers unwavering loyalty and friendship even in our darkest hour. It was in this spirit that Mates4Mates was born. Mates4Mates is a not for profit charity, initiated by RSL (Queensland Branch) to provide support to our wounded, injured or ill current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families. Mates4Mates is designed to complement and enhance the capability.

For  more information go to www.anzacdaychallenge.com.au

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