Every step starts a conversation: Parkes man to run a marathon every day for 10 days

Brayden Quigg from Parkes is about to embark on a 408km journey on foot, all in the name of mental health. He'll be running from Albury to Parkes over the next 10 days, covering between 40km and 48km per day, except for his final stint easing him home over 16km. He's calling his mission Finish Strong and he aims to raise funds and awareness for The Shaka Project, a charity that supports mental health and suicide prevention. Brayden hopes his effort will encourage more conversations around mental health and spread the message that no one should have to struggle alone. "I battled my own mental health in 2020," he said. "Everybody has a story and what that looks like is different for everyone. "This isn't about breaking records. It's about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. "Mental health affects people in every community, but in regional and rural areas access to support can be limited and conversations can feel harder to start." Brayden is a Wiradjuri man who works as a student support officer at Parkes High School, he's also a marathon runner. "Just the 'consecutive marathons' is very new for me," he laughed. The longest he's ever ran is 42.2km. Brayden's first leg of the journey - and his longest - from Albury to Culcairn, just south of Henty, beginning today 1 October is 48km. He'll pass through The Rock (47km) and areas around Wagga Wagga and west of Temora before arriving in West Wyalong on day six. He'll run through Back Creek and Wirrinya, and will pass through Forbes next Friday, on day nine, pulling up stumps at Daroobalgie before his finale home on Saturday, 10 October. "It'll be a slog," Brayden said. But after nine months of preparation, he's eager to begin. "It was a very impulsive decision," he said. "I'm excited - for the celebration at the end, and there's that anticipation of finally doing it. "It's a good opportunity to learn about myself too, and do it for a good cause." The challenge isn't just the distance, it's managing recovery, nutrition, fatigue and the heat while continuing to run each day. He'll be wearing ice bandanas and special clothing to reflect the heat. There are perks to running a marathon every day for 10 days straight. "I get to eat lots of food," Brayden said. "I'll pull up every five kilometres just to hydrate, depending on the heat, and every 10km I eat food. "I get to have choccy milk, I just love choccy milk," he laughed. Studies have shown chocolate milk is an effective recovery drink because it provides an ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein, alongside essential fluids and electrolytes. Brayden has also requested homemade caramel ice cream, which his mum's friend is kindly providing. He'll be camping by the road most nights, and while it is mostly a solo run, Brayden will have a few mates accompany him over a few kilometres here and there along the way. Brayden has been running at least 100km a week to train, while also attending the gym. And he's had the guidance of experienced ultrarunning coach Mario Buchs from Healthetica Coaching in Sydney. Brayden is inviting people to join him for his final five kilometres on the Forbes Road (old Newell Highway) on 10 October. Those interested can contact Brayden and his support team on Instagram at finish.strong.run or email finishstrongrun@gmail.com for time and location. Brayden is calling on the community to head down to Cooke Park to celebrate with him and other runners joining him as he completes this epic trek. He is aiming for a 3pm finish. There will also be representatives from The Shaka Project speaking at the gathering once Brayden finishes. Brayden has received a lot of community support already, with businesses such as Parkes Supplements, Goosey Sports, Specialty Paint Repairs and Spartan Creative donating products, services and sponsorship. Volunteers have joined his project and more than 300 people are following and supporting his journey on Instagram. Brayden has raised $1689 so far and anyone who'd like to donate can do so at https://the-shaka-project.grassrootz.com/finish-strong-albury-to-parkes or scan the QR code.