Andrew is running 29 marathons in 29 days this February for a very important cause
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Yes, you read that headline right.
This February, 28-year-old consultant Andrew Myssonski will run a whopping 42.195 km a day, every day, raising money for mental health support charity R U OK?.
It’s an eyewatering number for even the most seasoned runner, let alone those of us whose greatest feat was the Couch to 5K during lockdown. But for Andrew, it all began as a way to support his mates.
“I had a few friends that were considering running the Canberra Marathon in April, so I suggested I’ll run seven [marathons] in seven days to incentivise them to train for it. It then turned into a month of marathons instead, coinciding with my 29th birthday and 29 days in the month.”
This core message of support is also at the heart of Andrew’s chosen charity, R U OK?, who he will be raising money for throughout February, with a goal of raising $10,000.
“I chose R U OK because the idea of raising awareness of mental health and suicide at the base level stood out to me most. Luckily not everyone will require such a wonderful service like Lifeline, although everyone needs to be checked in on every so often.”
“If we can raise awareness and funds to help reduce stigma and enhance the available resources prior to requiring Lifeline or suicide assistance, then it’s a major win.”
While Andrew describes himself as a “sporty kid” and grew up playing soccer in Canberra, he explains he only took up running as a rehabilitation exercise.
“I had multiple shoulder surgeries between the ages of 20-25 and gave up soccer, and as general rehabilitation started swimming and running. My first ever marathon was November 2022, and I’ve run eight to 10 since.”
As for exactly how one gets their body and mind ready for a challenge like this, Andrew is ready to see a lot of Lake Burley Griffin (like, a lot).
“I have a few 42km loops mapped out, and if all else fails, I will just do lake laps multiple times to get to the required distance.”
“Training has, of course, ramped up quite a lot, I generally run anywhere between 130-200kms any given week. I’m in the gym a couple of times a week, along with the pool for a couple of hours. I’m at the stage now (mid-January) where I get to taper off and let the body recover, so this week was a very welcome 50km of running. I am eating pretty much all the food I can get a hold of. I did a test run for a few days previously and I needed about 7000 calories a day.”
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Ultimately, Andrew hopes this epic journey brings about awareness and important conversations that might not have happened otherwise.
“I was mind blown to learn that just under nine people die of suicide daily in Australia, and many more try and are luckily unsuccessful,” he says.
“It may sound completely against everything anyone who has attempted to fundraise wants, but I really don’t mind whether people do or don’t donate. The main thing I want to achieve from this is the awareness aspect of mental health issues in this country.”
“Financial donations are a great way for charities and foundations to be able to enhance available resources for everyday people who suffer, which in turn can help reduce the stigma around mental health issues. If running a marathon every day for a month prompts even one conversation that saves a life, then that’s good start.”
