Sport
23 July, 2025
A long way to go for a good cause
A MAN from Mareeba will be lacing up his joggers and running 128km for cancer next month and he is calling on his local community to add to the $20,000 he has already raised.
Mareeba local, now Townsville resident, Lachlan Ford is aiming to raise $40,000 for the Cancer Council and is preparing for a massive feat of running 128km, equivalent to three marathons or going solo in the Great Wheelbarrow Race.
He set out to raise $20,000 by his run on 10 August but smashed that goal six weeks before the event. Now, he has extended his goal to $40,000 and is hoping he can encourage his hometown to support his campaign.
“It was unreal to hit 20K so early,” Lachlan said. “There’s still plenty of time to donate to get to the 40K mark, though.
“We are still pushing it through the socials and the fundraising page, and on the day of the run, we will also have a fundraiser going through the local cricket club.”
Lachlan was inspired to fundraise for the Cancer Council to honour people close to him who have battled, and are still battling, the deadly disease.
“From a Mareeba point of view, we lost a bit of legend in Kevy (Kevin Davies) earlier this year, and on a more personal note, I’ve had a few family members battle cancer,” he said.
“The most prominent one has been my aunty, who in the last 12 months has been going through a battle with it.
“We’re seeing good signs but she’s still going through a bit of a rough trot, so there’s definitely a few personal reasons that I’m running for.
“I’m raising money through the Cancer Council, for cancer research and everything in between. It’s going to be a pretty big day, but it’s a pretty good cause to raise money for.”
Lachlan will be running 100 laps of Cutheringa Park, Townsville on 10 August, with each lap about 1.28km long.
He will be starting at about 3am and “would love to be done” by 6pm, which is 15 hours of running.
He also encouraged anyone who wishes to attend on the day to do so.
“If anyone is keen to donate, that would be really cool, and if you’d like to come down for the day and spray some abuse or donate some more money, you’re more than welcome,” he laughed.
“The local cricket club is going to be putting on a spread and it’s going to be a massive day, a big community day, so if you’re keen, be sure to come along.”
Donations can be made by visiting www.doitforcancer.com.au/s/39329/38368/e, or by searching fordorunsforcancer on Instagram.
