IT is an almost unimaginable feat for anyone to attempt, but yesterday ultra-marathon runner Craig Goozee put his shoes on and started a 12,500km run, cycle and kayak mission around Australia.

A former undercover policeman, Mr Goozee, 45, has previously completed two ultra marathons, but neither were as ambitious as his latest attempt.

While obviously possessing freakish endurance, Mr Goozee is also driven by the desire to honour his daughter, Jessica, who died from cancer at the age of nine.

An ambassador for the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research he hopes to raise $1 million throughout his run, dubbed A2B4C, to support the institute’s vital research programs.

His previous runs in 1998 and 2000 raised more than $650,000.

Yesterday morning he kayaked in to Manly about 9.30am before making his way to Avalon Public School, where he was greeted by impressed school kids.

His journey will see him run, cycle and kayak around Australia for three months, visiting towns in all parts of the country, before returning to Sydney about the end of August.

To support Mr Goozee call 1800 682 536 or make a donation online at http://www.a2b4c.com.au.

 

from the Manly Daily Sat 30 May 2009