By Jonty Ralphsmith
Berwick hobby runner Harry Bell is set to run 100 kilometres to raise funds for Make A Wish Foundation on Saturday 23 March.
Motivated by the carrot of bringing happiness to people enduring tough circumstances, Bell is set to run from Berwick to the city, passing monuments including the MCG and Botanical Gardens, before finishing at St Kilda’s Esplanade Hotel.
“The more funds we get leads to more wishes being made into reality and it means these kids and families can have the joy they deserve,” Bell said, noting the aim is to raise at least $5000.
“They’re going through something that no one deserves to go through, so the more we can raise, the more joy we can bring to them and the more happiness they get in a critical situation.”
Having been involved in environments which have raised money for charity, Bell conceptualised the run several months ago but locked it in only 40 days out from the event – last week.
Bell has run as far as 70 kilometres in one hit before, and identified a top 20 finish in the Two Bays Ultra Marathon on the Mornington Peninsula last month as a confidence booster.
After 70kms it’s a pandora’s box, we’ll see what happens,” Bell said.
“As soon as I hit the 70-80 kms mark, knowing I’m doing it for a fundraiser and and for kids who are critically ill will get me across.”
Remarkably, given the number of long runs he already has under his belt, Bell only took up running seriously eight months ago after close mate and Aussie triathlete Jordan Holt initially got him into cycling during lockdown.
“My bike went in for a service 8-9 months ago and I wanted to keep my fitness up for the week it was in and I haven’t ridden my bike since,” Bell said.
“So the whole idea of a runner’s high was a catalyst and it was a good mental break.
“I can escape from gym and work for half an hour, or an hour – which has become five hours, ten hours – and shut off from the world and I saw the returns pretty quickly from it.”
Currently, Bell is running about 120 kilometres per week, and will peak at 140-160kms, before tapering off in the days immediately prior.
Also including gym, Bell is currently training for 14 hours per week, alongside full time work.
On 23 March, Bell is set to wake up at 2.30am and get food in, before taking off at 4am eating substantially every two hours during the run alongside his water, gel and carbohydrate mix consumption – and hoping to finish with a beer at the Espy 10 hours later.
“I’m finishing there so that everyone who has been involved, from Make A Wish, to people raising funds, can get altogether and it can be a celebration of the funds.
“Make A Wish is going to bring the kids joy, but also the families during such a tough time so if we can get everyone together will be a good environment to highlight what they’ve done and what they will do for the kids.
“So now we’ve just got to run the 100 kilometres and get it done.”
Donate via the following link: https://fundraise.makeawish.org.au/fundraisers/harrybell/100km-to-make-a-wish-
Follow Harry’s day-by-day build up via his Instagram: ‘Harrrybellll’
