By Molly Magennis
For Footscray local Liam Henderson, tomorrow’s 160-kilometre run has been a long time coming.
The personal trainer started running at the beginning of the first lockdown last year.
“I started running just for something to do, and then last year I ended up running a 100km race in December,” Mr Henderson said
When Melbourne was plunged back into lockdown again this year, Mr Henderson took this opportunity to run even more and put his training to good use.
“I started raising money for Movember and then I just had this idea [to run 160km]. The 100km is the first milestone and then the next milestone is the 100 miles, so that’s why it’s 160km,” he said.
Mr Henderson chose to support Movember, a leading men’s mental health charity, because of the huge mental toll lockdown has had on not only the broader community, but some of his close friends.
“I think lockdown was pretty tough. I had a few mates that went through it pretty tough as well,” he said.
“Everyone’s mental health took a toll through lockdown, and I just thought it would be good to raise awareness and maybe get some people talking about how they’re feeling.”
Mr Henderson acknowledges that men’s mental health is a huge, ongoing issue.
“I think we all sort of want to put on a front that [we’re] doing fine,” he said.
“[It would be good] if people can start talking about how they’re feeling, because everyone’s going through it.
“You don’t need to try and hide it, that’s what I’m trying to show people.”
Mr Henderson will start the run at 4.30am tomorrow and expects to finish about 21 hours later. He admits he is feeling nervous.
“I’m really putting myself out there because it’s a lot further than I’ve gone before,” he said.
“I don’t know how it’s gonna go, I am nervous. I’m gonna do my absolute best.”
Details:au.movember.com/liamhenderson or www.instagram.com/henderson.fit/
