Brennan Van Eeken in Elmore after day one of his four-day, 245km run from Barmah to Melbourne, raising money for Challenge. Photos: Emily Donohoe
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
For most people, running 75km in one day would be an impossible task, but for Brennan Van Eeken, it was just over a quarter of his Challenge 4 Challenge.
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Brennan took off from Barmah at 6.30am on Thursday, August 28, arriving in Elmore just after 1pm.
The children’s cancer charity Challenge was the motivator for his four-day, 245km run.
Challenge supports children and their families affected by cancer, providing programs and services such as playgroups, accommodation, scholarships, activity days and retreats.
Brennan’s connection to the charity is through board member Craig Gathercole and his family.
“I’ve been a part of it probably 10, 13 years now,” he said.
“You see what they do and how they help all those little kids and families, it goes a long way.
“It’s all for the little kids, really.”
Brennan Van Eeken in Elmore after day one of his four-day, 245km run from Barmah to Melbourne, raising money for Challenge.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Barmah is a special spot for the Melburnian, who fundraises for Challenge every December with an event called ‘Barmahlympics’.
“We’ve got a property up in Moama, and every year we travel to Barmah pub by boat and raise money for Challenge,” Brennan said.
“We usually pack the pub with about 150, 170 blokes that day and raise money with raffles and all those things.”
In 2021, Brennan also completed the Great Ocean Road Running Festival marathon, raising $9000 for Challenge in the process.
At the 2024 Challenge Ball, he made a pledge to go not one, but almost six times bigger.
“Barmah’s a connection for Challenge, so run from Barmah to Melbourne,” Brennan said.
“I said to the CEO, David Rogers ... ‘I’m gonna do this’ and he said, ‘you’re mad, but go for it’.
“At Christmastime I set a date.”
Brennan Van Eeken in Elmore on day one of his four-day, 245km run from Barmah to Melbourne, raising money for Challenge.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Over the four days, Brennan ran from Barmah to Elmore, Elmore to Heathcote, Heathcote to Kilmore, and Kilmore to the Challenge HQ in West Melbourne.
In Elmore on the first day of the journey, Brennan was in high spirits.
“(I’m feeling) all right, the wind was brutal,” he said.
“Whether it’s sideways or in front of you, it’s never nice. But no, all right, happy get that done.
“I think the third day will be a tough one ... the last day will be full of adrenaline.”
Every step of the journey, Brennan was carrying his inspiration with him.
Challenge playgroup members decorated Brennan’s shoes ahead of his journey.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Brennan even had the Challenge playgroup members sign the two pairs of shoes he wore along the way.
By the time he crossed the finish line on Sunday, August 31, Brennan reached $135,000 raised for Challenge, with donations still open to support the cause.
“People think it’s donating to me, but it’s really donating to the little kids in hospital,” he said.
“They’re going through far bigger battles than what I will ever go through these next four days.
“Donate, get around it. It goes a long way to put a smile on their faces when they’re doing it tough.”
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