Andre Jones doesn't consider himself a runner.
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The 57-year-old admits he doesn't have any great passion for it - that he enjoys it at most.
Yet here he is, 1300 kilometres into his historic attempt to become the first person to run around Australia unassisted by a support vehicle.
So why is he doing it?
"My wife would go mad if I was around all the time," he jokes.
Having set off from his home in Melbourne just over a month ago, the retired Navy veteran plans to spend the better part of the next 12 months on the road, running through six states, 214 towns and covering 15,134 kilometres, which is the equivalent of 358 marathons.
He estimates he'll chew through 15 pairs of shoes in that time .
And while the general consensus among the people he meets is that he's a few smarties short of a full pack, there is something else driving him.
Andre plans to raise $60,000 for charity along the way, donating $15,000 each to Beyond Blue, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, The Smith Family and the GO Foundation.
This latest venture comes off the back of a more modest journey he completed in 2017, running from Melbourne to Darwin to raise money for Beyond Blue.
He admits each of the charities have special significance for him, not least of all the Royal Flying Doctors, who he hopes will have his back if a croc tries to eat him up north.
He's also been more than heartened by the support he's received so far, with 80 per cent of his accommodation and meals for the trip already being donated by businesses keen to get behind his cause.
The support keeps you going.
- Andre Jones
But while he has a comfy bed and a hot meal to look forward to at the end of most days, there's no one to help him with the running itself, and he admits it can be tough at times.
"You have good and bad days," he says.
Pushing a buggy loaded with food, water and equipment doesn't make the journey any easier, but there's plenty for him to appreciate.
Currently following the Pacific Highway north along the Mid North Coast, he's got the beautiful local scenery and the rapport he's built with the long-haul truckies - who give him a beep and plenty of road space - to bring a smile to his face.
"At the moment it's all green rolling hills," he says.
"I love the mountains and the rock formations."
His health is holding up too, with no major injuries or aches and pains giving him trouble.
From here he'll head north as far as Palm Cove in Queensland, before cutting across the Cape York Peninsula and continuing on his way.
Of the places he'll pass through, he's most looking forward to seeing Broome and the Great Australian Bight.
But he admits the journey isn't really about him.
"If I was doing it for myself, I would've given up already," he says.
"It's bigger than just me."
To donate to Andre's cause or find out more, click here.
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