MARK'S AMAZING MEGA RUN HAS RAISED $36,850

Mark O’Brien,
has achieved his goal ...

an investment advisor
from North West NSW,
has chosen no easy
task to commemorate
the path his
great-grandfather
made in 1898.

On 7th February,
he retraced their
journey from
Sydney to Toowoomba,
through a 21 day trip
- divided into
installments of
21 marathons (42kms)

... Mark did this, each day,
to raise funds for SpinalCure

For more info:
Mark O'Brien Retraces Ancestors’ Path with Major Marathon Event
Photo courtesy 'Armidale Express'

Marathon man, Mark O'Brien, closes on Toowoomba 17 Feb 2009
Mark strides back onto family history 1 Mar 2009

• 21 marathons back-to-back
• From Sydney to Toowoomba (7th to 21st Feb 2009)

As an investment advisor from North West NSW, Mark has chosen no easy task to commemorate the path his great-grandfather made in 1898.

He retraced their journey from Sydney to Toowoomba, through a 21 day trip - divided into installments of 21 marathons (42kms) - each day.

His ancestors walked almost 1,000kms from NSW to QLD after having travelled from Lebanon to Australia. They had arrived without any money and relied on the hospitality of others on the way as they made their way by foot.

Mark is also recognising the courage of those that are confined to wheelchairs from accidents - amongst them several of Mark’s good friends.

Mark is determined to help beat paralysis caused by spinal injury through raising funds for research. Says Mark, “It’s a good cause since people in this situation would do anything to take one step”.

Mark enlisted sponsors, such as the the AMP Foundation, Skins and Asics.

Unlike most marathon runners, Mark has only recently started his training admitting he came up with a deliberately tough goal to challenge himself, like those with injuries are challenged each day. His serious training started two months ago and he is gradually building up the kilometres each day.

A severe spinal cord injury can occur to anyone at any time but the large majority of people are between the ages of 19 and 29. Currently with a serious chronic injury, they will then expect to spend their life in a wheelchair unless significant funding can lead to a cure.

SpinalCure Australia is the national not-for-profit organisation that raises funds for research to end paralysis.