After 46 days, Australia’s most famous sparky has completed his massive 3,800km run from Cottesloe Beach in Perth to Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Nedd Brockmann crossed the finish line at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club at 5:34 pm this evening, with thousands of spectators and well-wishers lining the route to push him onto the end. 22.8 thousand people also tuned into the live stream on his Instagram page.
He was welcomed by local Indigenous Elders who performed for him a smoking ceremony to honour the Aboriginal lands he has crossed in his mad quest. 23-year-old Brockmann then celebrated the great Aussie run in the most Aussie way possible — by doing a shoey in front of the crowds.
“I am absolutely blown away,” he said. “It has taken a lot and a lot to get here and I don’t think i can explain the depths I’ve had to go to”.
“To have all this support is absolutely mind-blowing. I am speechless. Thank you guys.”
From Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach.
1.5million raised for @wearemobilise.
Not up to speed on Australian of the Year candidates but Nedd Brockmann is in pole position. By almost 4000km’s.
What a reception! #NeddsRecordRun pic.twitter.com/oyTOXv4bAS
— Joseph Esposito (@JE5POSITO) October 17, 2022
His run, in support of the homelessness charity, Mobilise, has raised more than $1.5 million, smashing his original target of $1 million. At least $500,000 has been donated in the past 48 hours alone.
Brockmann has run an average of 100kms a day for the past month and a half, powered by a diet of meat pies and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. He’s also had his fair share of struggles along the way, not least of all, you know, running basically non-stop. Tenosynovitis has affected his shins, massive blisters have formed on his feet and he’s even had maggots start growing in his toes.
All of that has seemed to only spur on the mullet-wearing amateur, who only began running in 2020. He’s earned supporters from all over the country, many of whom have stopped to unfurl banners on the highways and roads he’s been traversing.
Brockmann’s favourite NRL team, the Parramatta Eels, have also thrown their support behind him with a video message of support.
Sydney’s record-breaking wet weather looked to be the final battle Brockmann was going to have to overcome, but the clouds parted for his arrival and he landed to unusually blue skies. If anyone’s earned a schooner by a sunny beach, it’s Brockmann.
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