That is the herculean task Josh Ferguson has set himself to raise funds for Telethon.
Starting on Sunday, the 20-year-old personal trainer will spend about six hours a day running more than the standard 42kms marathon distance for nearly two months.
By the time he runs into the RAC arena for the conclusion of Telethon on October 20 he hopes to raise $50,000.
Remarkably, Mr Ferguson first pulled on running shoes just two years ago, inspired by the achievements of Nedd Brockmann — who in 2022 ran across Australia to raise awareness of homelessness.
Brockmann covered an average 86kms a day, completing the run in 47 days.
“Before that, I had never run a single kilometre,” Mr Ferguson said. “I kept going and within two months I ran my first marathon.”
“It’s about coming up with an idea that seems just outside of my realm of capabilities, and then figuring out a way to get it done.”
Josh Ferguson is training at Lake Monger. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian
Last year, Mr Ferguson raised $9500 for Telethon by completing 24 hours on a treadmill.
“I really like Telethon because I feel like it provides not just the medical care and financial support, it’s also like a charity of potential,” he said. “And me doing my thing is like my journey to my own potential, seeing what I can do.”
While he has been training every day, including running around 160kms a week, Mr Ferguson said preparing his mind was even more important.
He aims to record every kilometre of the 50-day challenge on running tracking app Strava. “And if anyone’s unsure if I’m doing it or not, they can come join me for a day,” he said.
On top of the gruelling running schedule, Mr Ferguson plans to keep working in his day job at the same time.
“I’m a personal trainer, so I’m going to work in the morning from 4.30 to 9, and from that I’m going to go hop up and start running,” he said.
Mr Ferguson is among an army of Telethon Challengers raising funds for WA’s much-loved charity, which is asking all West Australians to “Challenge Yourself” and raise funds for the WA kids who face unthinkable challenges every day of their lives.
Visit telethon7.com/challenge to sign up.
First published by The West Australian, 1 September 2024.