THE attraction of running, according to 28-year-old occupational therapist Phill Dernee from Taree, is the feeling of freedom that it provides.
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“It’s positive, an incredible sensation. And it keeps you fit,’’ he said.
Dernee runs a lot. And he travels a lot to do a lot of running.
In 2016 he ran seven marathons (42.2kms) in seven days in seven States (the 777) as a fund raiser for Bravehearts, an organisation that works against the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Australia. On July 1 Dernee will team with Gary Woolnough and his daughter, Jo to run as a team to be known as 2430 Bravehearts in the Gold Coast marathon. The Woolnoughs also ran in last year’s event.
“Braveheats focus on a wonderful education program which they roll out around across across Australia,’’ Dernee explained.
Always an enthusiastic runner, Dernee wanted to contest the 777 as soon as he heard of it, especially as it was a fundraiser for Bravehearts.
His first marathon was in Perth before heading to Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and finally, the Gold Coast.
“It was a bit like Groundhog Day,’’ he laughed.
“I’d wake up in a motel room, run a marathon, collect my gear, fly to another city, book into a motel and go again.
“I love travelling and that was another attraction – I got to see cities that I’d never been to before.’’
However, he admitted the whole experience was ‘surreal’ although he was proud that he raised more than $10,000 for Braveheats
While it was an exhausting program, Dernee said he was well prepared and paced himself through the seven runs. His best time was in the last marathon – 3 hours 22. However, there wasn’t much difference between his quickest and slowest times.
“But it was a big shock to the system,’’ he added.
“After it was over I was feeling crap. I was tired and just wanted to go to bed.’’
In all Dernee has now completed 25 marathons and as many ultra races both in Australia and abroad.
Dernee said he’s always been an active person – if he’s not running he’ll be riding a mountain bike. As such he doesn’t have a set training regimen. While his fastest time for a marathon is 3 hours 15 he hasn’t set himself a target for the Gold Colast.
“I just want to finish,’’ he said.
The Olympic qualifying time for the marathon in 2 hour 19 and Dernee admits he’s never really considered that as an option.
“I enjoy trail running so I was going to do something for competition it would probably be in that scene,’’ he said.
