This Gunnai and Gunditjmara man ran a marathon on all 7 continents to raise money for mob's mental health

Andrew Thorpe competed in the Great World Race to raise awareness for mental health and money for the Black Dog Institute.

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Andrew Thorpe completing his race in Antarctica.

Proud Gunnai and Gunditjmara man Andrew Googz Thorpe has just finished competing in the Great World Race, where runners travel to each of the seven continents to run a marathon in just seven days.

Mr Thorpe made history, becoming the first Aboriginal man to compete.
"It means everything to me," he told NITV.

"It’s my way of showing our mob that, if you set your mind to it and you’re passionate about it, you can do anything."

Mr Thorpe wanted to compete
"I’ve only been running for five years and now I’m travelling the world with some amazing people to share my story and to help raise funds to help and support mob that are fighting battles with their mental health," he said.

"That’s why I teamed up with the Black Dog Institute, they have assured me that all funds raised will go directly to mob."

Mr Thorpe started his journey off in Antarctica and finished it in America.
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Mr Thorpe came 8th in Antarctica.
He says that he hopes to inspire mob to do things that will better their emotional and mental well-being.

"I want mob to go out and try their own seven day challenge," he said.

"I want you all to do something that helps your mental health for seven days straight, whether that’s sport, painting, gardening, meditation.
The catch is, you have to finish that activity with a smile on your face and a heart full of pride – that’s how you can start to build resilience and that’s how we can become healthier.
As he completed each leg of the race around the world, Mr Thorpe thought about his family and all the support they've given him throughout his own mental health journey.

"I want to say that none of this could happen if my family wasn’t there to support me," he said.

"I may be the one travelling the world in seven days but every step I take I have my wife and kids in my head and heart."

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Published 22 November 2024 2:36pm
Updated 22 November 2024 3:22pm
By Bronte Charles
Source: NITV


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