Bowel cancer survivor Matt Duggan has reached Bagdad on day seven of his 10-day run down Tasmania, clocking up 52 kilometres on Thursday to push his total past 310 kilometres.
The 38-year-old from Huonville is running from Stanley to Cockle Creek to raise awareness and funds for Bowel Cancer Australia, with three days still to go.
“The body’s got a few little bumps and bruises and bits and pieces, bit of tape and to try to hold me together,” Duggan told Pulse.
He said Thursday morning had been brutal, with temperatures dropping rapidly as he set out from Oatlands.
“It was probably one degree, I think, when we left and then it felt like it was about minus 10 running into … a fairly strong headwind this morning, which was freezing,” he said.
Duggan and running partner Rohan Barwick pulled over after about 15 kilometres and sat in their van for half an hour to thaw out.
“We just had to sit in the van and try and get the heater going and rug up and beanies on and just try to defrost a little bit,” he said.
“That was a bit of a slog, but yeah, no, it’s all been enjoyable, mate, so getting there.”
Fundraising has picked up in recent days, with the tally now sitting at over $25,000 against a $100,000 target.
A fish fry and raffle at the Mount Pleasant Football Club on Wednesday night raised $5,000, with around 120 people turning out.
Motorists have also been pulling over on the highway to hand cash through the window.
“It’s unreal to see,” Duggan said. “People just supporting and beeping the horn … just means that the message is getting out there.”
Duggan also met Jeremy Rockliff at the The Big Spud earlier in the week.
“Matt is such an inspiration, turning his battle with bowel cancer into an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage early detection,” Rockliff said.
Friday will see Duggan tackle another 55 kilometres from Bagdad to Longley, before a shorter leg into Huonville on Saturday and a 90-kilometre finale to Cockle Creek on Sunday.
A fundraiser is also planned at the The Lost Captain on Saturday afternoon, featuring a raffle and other activities.
Donations can be made through the Matt’s Marathon Mission pages on Facebook and Instagram.
