Packing up the car and setting off on a soul searching journey around Australia is a bucket list item for many, but few plan on running any marathons along the way.
Not Sydney-based Aaron Royall, who quit his job and set off in June with the sole purpose of hitting as many marathons as he could – all in the name of charity.
Having never run prior to this year, the rookie runner has amazingly completed marathons in every state and territory, and will have run a total of 30 by the end of the year.
Aaron Royall (pictured) quit his job and set off on a sole mission to inspire conversations about mental health by running 30 marathons in 30 weeks across every Australian state and territory
The rookie runner will have completed a total of 30 marathons by the end of the year, despite never having run prior to January
The 23-year-old’s unique mission was fueled by his desire to get people talking about mental health and to inspire people to better look out for their mates.
‘I’m running to raise money for the Black Dog Institute, but more importantly to get people to start the conversation surrounding their own mental health and encourage friends and family to ask the RUOK question,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
Aaron’s clocked up some serious kilometres already, but is heading into his biggest month of running yet with nine marathons on the cards for December.
And while the running has been a taxing enough experience on its own, his journey hasn’t come without its unique set of challenges.
The 23-year-old has run across the country’s toughest terrain in a massive effort to raise money for the Black Dog Institute
Consistent marathons have taken their toll on Aaron’s body: ‘I’m surprised I’m still stuck together to be honest,’ he said
‘I think the hardest part, apart from the running itself, has been the whole living out the back of the car experience,’ he said.
‘Cooking all my meals on a little hot plate, sleeping and eating in a really confined space and having to use toilets whenever I spot them.’
A beginner in most running senses, he said he’s had a lot to figure out ‘the hard way’.
‘I’ve had some really tough days where I have run a marathon in the morning, got in the car and driven for eight hours to get to the next marathon in time…(it’s) not the greatest recovery.’
As tough as his noble expedition became at times, Aaron said he never considered not completing what he set out to accomplish.
While he’s ‘had some really tough days,’ Aaron said he never considered not completing what he set out to accomplish
‘I’ve put myself in a situation mentally where I have not given myself any other option apart from finishing. I’ve had so much support from family and friends and I feel like I owe it to them all to get the job done.’
‘I’ve had and been in some very tough situations but I’ve also been apart of some life changing experiences and met some people who really bring out the warm culture of Australians.’
‘This has been the best experience I have ever had in my life.’
He’s currently en-route to Adelaide for his next marathon early December, after which he’ll take on a giant 160km self-navigated event across Kangaroo island.
People can donate to Aaron’s mission via his Lap 4 Lives GoFundMe page.