A Wagga surgeon ran more than 200 kilometres to raise money and awareness for type one diabetes.
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Simon Matthews, is an orthopaedic surgeon and completed the 2018 Big Red Run, a six-day ultramarathon.
“It was a bit of a bucket-list item and I wanted to do it for the experience,” he said.
“I got to see a bit of the country I had never been to and it’s a great fundraiser.”
The Big Red Run was started in 2013 as a charity event to raise money and awareness of type one diabetes, which predominantly occurs in childhood, Dr Matthews said.
“It’s a problem that affects a number a kids in the country and over the course of their lifetime they will suffer diabetic complications,” Dr Matthews said.
“All runners commit to raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and over the last six years over $1 million has been raised.”
Working as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Matthews has seen the impact diabetes can have on his patients requiring surgery.
“I specialise in hip and knee surgery and trauma surgery,” he said.
“It’s a very rewarding bit of medicine because you get to make an impact on people’s lives very quickly.
“A lot of our patients that we see have complications regarding diabetes because it can cause issues like an increased risk of infection.”
This year, 52 runners have raised almost $140,000. The race starts and finishes at the Birdsville Hotel and covers 250 kilometres across the Simpson Desert, Dr Matthews said.
“The big thing everyone struggles with is the blisters,” he said.
“It happens over several days and you get all the aches and pains. The great thing is the camaraderie and the support from your volunteers, there was no complaints and griping.
“They become your family over the week.”
There are three full marathon days – 42 kilometres each – and a 30-kilometre ‘short’ day. Dr Matthews said the toughest part is the dreaded 84-kilometre double marathon ‘long’ day.
“I am an old middle-aged runner so if an old duffer like me can do it – anyone can,” he said.
“It will only keep going if it’s supported.”
Fundraising is open until December and Dr Matthews’ fund can be found at: http://bigredrun2018.everydayhero.com/au/simon-s-big-red-run-2018.