Run with Nedd – if he can, anyone can

You may have heard of Nedd Brockmann. Some would say he's that crazy guy who ran from Perth to Sydney - no mean feat especially when he had just taken up the sport - and his next challenge is running in Sun Run 2024 from Dee Why to Manly Beach. <_o3a_p>

Nedd originally from Forbes in central NSW, is just like any other country boy; however, after moving to Sydney he knew he had to make the most of his life and not waste a second. <_o3a_p>

Nedd chose to push his limits and do some good in the world. He decided to raise money for the homeless as he was profoundly affected by witnessing firsthand so many people living on the street and wanted to do something about it. <_o3a_p>

Nedd raised money for the charity We Are Mobilise, who's message is simple - Homelessness should not equate to hopelessness. <_o3a_p>

Running almost 100km a day for 46.5 days, he became the fastest ever Australian to achieve this feat. More importantly to Nedd, the plight of Australia's homeless was finally being talked about. <_o3a_p>

We caught up with Nedd to get the nitty-gritty about his life and all that's happened since the big run.<_o3a_p>

How did so many people find out about your cause?<_o3a_p>

The beautiful thing about the run was that I never had any intention of it blowing up to the scale it did. I only ever chose to take it on because of two reasons. Getting uncomfortable/living my life to the absolute fullest and giving back. The rest is a biproduct of showing up every day with those two messages front and centre of the mind. I think being unapologetically myself and being proud of what I did resonated with a lot of people. The vulnerability shone through, and I think everyone felt connected to it. There was no plan with social media, I just said what I felt and brought people along on the journey. To have thousands of people at the finish line at Bondi was epic.<_o3a_p>

Tell us about We Are Mobilise? How much have you raised for them?<_o3a_p>

We Are Mobilise is a charity that offers employment, support networks, and direct grants through programs to empower individuals to create their own path out of homelessness. My run from Perth raised $2.6 million alone. I've also launched a new goal and that's to raise $10 million. This is consistently climbing, through the sale of my book, the next event I choose to do, speaking engagements paying Mobilise as a fee to have me speak and now from the sale of my milk - Nedd's Choccy Milk, which has just launched across the country . <_o3a_p>

You've said that having a chocolate milk every day helped give you the energy to run. Where did your love of chocolate milk come from?<_o3a_p>

It's the best way to recover after a sustained effort. Along my run across Australia I was eating so much food so I ended up getting a lot of food fatigue. A choccy milk at the end of the day allowed me to get the protein, sugar and calcium in to recover and get out there and ready for the next day. And who doesn't love a choccy milk!!!<_o3a_p>

What advice do you have for someone who has an idea that they want to get off the ground but either don't have the confidence or need a little push? <_o3a_p>

Life's too short to live with regrets, I know I'd much rather come up short than to never give something a go. We're on a big floating rock in the middle of space, you may as well ride it out while you're here. You'll never know if you don't try. Start small and build from there. Grab a mate to hold you accountable and give it a crack. <_o3a_p>

What did you want to say to those people considering entering Sun Run 2024?<_o3a_p>

You don't have to be an elite athlete. The run is about getting off the couch, getting into the fresh air with like-minded people, having some fun and at the same time raising money for people who need it. Just give it a red hot go. You've got nothing to lose! <_o3a_p>

What's next for you? <_o3a_p>

To be honest, Living! Waking up with a big smile on my face and making the most of each day, events will happen, and I'll do more things, but for right now, I just want to be present and enjoy the beautiful things life has to offer. Hug ya mum and your dog!<_o3a_p>

Sun Run will be held on Saturday 3 February 2024 following a scenic route from the iconic Dee Why to Manly Beaches, with entrants able to choose to participate in a 7km or 10km course. <_o3a_p>

Registrations are now open. Capacity is limited so don't miss out. <_o3a_p>

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