By Callum Ludwig
Runner Alex Gommers has put his mind and body to the test, all in the name of mental health awareness.
The Healesville resident has been preparing for the past six months for a 100km Surf Coast Century ultra marathon along the Great Ocean Road to raise money for the Black Dog Institute.
Mr Gommers said the day of the run, Saturday 17 September, was the hardest day of his life.
“It took every bit of resilience and fortitude that within me, even when I got to the 50-kilometre-mark, I was in a bad way and really sore at that stage, let alone by the end,” he said.
“It was a huge challenge but something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and very fulfilling to get to the end. I was elated and happy but exhausted and could barely walk, I got back to the Airbnb and fainted, and if it wasn’t for my girlfriend I would’ve hit the floor.”
20-year-old Mr Gommers was running five days a week for an hour and completing a 25km run each Sunday in preparation.
Mr Gommer said he was really glad he did it.
“There were many days of coming home from work and having to put my runners straight on as I get home and running through the rain or other poor weather. It was a huge undertaking and a big time commitment, but it expanded the limits of what I thought I could do,” he said.
“There was no way I would’ve been able to do it without my support crew, my family and friends there on the day, and even the race organisers themselves did a great job.”
Mr Gommers set out a $2000 fundraising goal and managed to complete it comfortably, on $2520 and counting.
Mr Gommers said he was astonished at how much he raised, given he even thought he set a high bar for himself as he wanted to test what was possible.
“The generosity of people astounded me, one girl [Clare Stanley] donated $600, which was quite unbelievable. It’s all going to a really good cause that I’m passionate about,” he said.
“Earlier this year, I went through a pretty hard time in my life, and the Black Dog Institute is leading the charge and in that domain in helping people overcome those things. A big part for me was having goals and aspirations to achieve and then being able to go and do them. They’re really important for getting out of places like that.”
Anyone interested in supporting Mr Gommer’s cause can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/shake-off-the-black-dog-running-100km.
