Marathon man: Alastair Evans running the Melbourne Marathon in 2021. Photo: Supplied
Happiness: The Evans family, Georgie, left, Hugh, Sally, Richard and Alastair. Photo: Supplied
Alastair Evans is getting ready for a colossal challenge for a special cause – running from Melbourne to Echuca to raise money for a charity that holds a special place in his heart.
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Evans will set out on the four-day trip he has named ‘The Positive Journey’ on Wednesday June 15, covering roughly 250kms before arriving in Echuca on Saturday June 18th.
For Evans, the idea for the run came from wanting to raise money for the Snowdome Foundation, a charity that he and his family have a special connection with.
“The idea stemmed from our family’s involvement with the Snowdome Foundation, which is a charity that helps raise awareness and funds for blood cancers,” Evans said.
“And the reason behind all of that is that my mum, Sally, had a blood cancer. For 19 years she bravely fought a battle with multiple myeloma which she passed away from in 2016. This run and everything about it is for Mum.
“There is currently no known cure for multiple myeloma at the present, however the Snowdome Foundation and other charities globally are doing incredible work searching ways to find that ultimate cure.”
“I wanted to try and do something different and something that will help make a difference that is really positive as well, which is a trait mum always instilled in us kids, the positivity, so I thought it would be interesting to try run from Melbourne to Echuca.”
The Snowdome Foundation aims to provide funding and research towards new treatments for blood cancers, some which have no cure, and Evans said his goal was to help contribute as much funding as possible for them.
“The overarching goal is to raise funds for Snowdome,” he said.
“I’ve started with a goal of $50,000, if we can get to $75,000 that would be great and maybe even $100,000 as a stretch would be amazing.”
The Moama Bowling Club, the American Hotel, Evans Shoes and Villawood Properties are four businesses that are already sponsoring the run, but Evans said it would be great to have other businesses on board too.
“I’m in the process of reaching out to sponsors for the event at the moment and are hopeful of getting a few more on board.” he said.
“If businesses are interested in sponsoring the run, they can get in touch, and Individuals can make donations too.”
Evans said the foundation has had a strong influence on him and his family.
“It’s had a big impact, it’s had a really lasting impact,” he said.
“Our family have been involved with the Snowdome Foundation for a long time, we have attended events and we have always been welcomed with opens by the people within the Snowdome Foundation.
“It’s held a really special place in our hearts and I’m very proud to be able to help try and contribute in some way, shape or form for the Snowdome Foundation.”
With Evans set to run the equivalent of almost six marathons in four days, he has been doing some serious training to get his body prepared.
“I’m in the middle of a pretty intense training block now, where I am running four days during the week, with two big back-to-back days.
At the moment I’m doing 100-110kms a week, which I’ll increase in the lead up. Currently, one block during the week is about 30-35kms, and then other is 75-80kms.“
For a cause: Alastair Evans running the NYC marathon in 2018. On the back of the running bib, it says "My race is in tribute to Sally Evans, my mum".
Feat to remember: Hugh, Alastair and Georgie post Melbourne Marathon 2021.
Despite the enormous challenge looming, Evans said he was feeling positive about the challenge still to come.
“I’m feeling good, I will ramp up the training over the next little period to try and stay as injury free as possible, I’m just really excited,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed running, it has been a great thing for me mentally. I think any form of physical activity is a great thing if you can do it, to get out and do.
Along with the goal of raising funds, Evans hopes this run will encourage others to maintain an active lifestyle.
“If I can help people along the way to start something new, it doesn’t have to be running, then that is a real win.”
He said there is no pressure, with the run all about getting to the destination and not about time.
“It’s not a race, it is just about getting to the finish line each day. If that means it takes longer than first thought, then that is completely fine,” he said.
“I have no doubt there will be periods when I am walking and not running, and that is completely fine.
“It’s just about keeping that positivity and knowing that you can get there and pushing to get to that endpoint each day.
“It’s pretty amazing what your body can do when you put it to the test. It will be a fair old test over the four days, but I am confident I can get it done.”
After leaving Melbourne, Evans will stop in Romsey, Heathcote and Rochester, before hopefully completing his incredible run at the Port of Echuca.
“We have had some pretty special family times down there and it is such an iconic and really special part of Echuca, hopefully I’ll be finishing down there,” he said.
Evans is encouraging others to join him along his journey, saying he loves the idea of having their support.
“If people would like to join along the journey, they definitely can,” he said.
“If it’s five, 10, 15 kms, whatever it is, that is something that would be really nice and I look forward to having some people along the way as a bit of support.
“I have a friend of mine who wants to ride the whole distance with me on an e-bike, there are opportunities for people to get involved throughout the event.”
Evans will celebrate finishing his journey with a post-run event at The American Hotel.
Evans has set up an Instagram account for people to follow along with his training and to provide updates during the run – thepositivejourney__.
Anyone who would like to make contribute to the fundraising can visit www.fundraising.snowdome.org.au/my-fundraising/22/the-positive-journey to make a donation or if a business would like to sponsor the event, they can contact Alastair directly at thepositivejourney2022@gmail.com.
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