Ultra runner Kieron Douglass is no stranger to a challenge, but his next fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Foundation shapes as the ultimate test of athletic endurance.
The Victoria Point resident will attempt to run 100 kilometres backwards in June to raise money for Juiced TV, an initiative he holds close to his heart.
Launched in 2015 at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, the in-house program promotes social and metal wellbeing by giving patients the opportunity to star in their own television show.
“It is truly one of the most beautiful programs on this earth and I have been such a proud ambassador since the beginning back in 2015,” Mr Douglass said.
It is the second time the ultramarathon champ will attempt the grueling 100km challenge, having done so in 2018 to raise money for the same cause.
On that occasion he fell 24 kilometres short of the finish line and suffered a broken toe, but it did not break his spirit or his will to keep fundraising.
He has raised more than $50,000 through his runs for the Channel Nine Children’s Hospital telethons.
“I am inspired by the work that the Children’s Hospital Foundation fund in patient and family services, so I want to raise money for them by doing the only thing I know how – running,” Mr Douglass said.
Mr Douglass initially planned to revisit the 100km challenge about a year after his last attempt but the pandemic scuppered his plans.
His fundraising efforts for Juiced TV date back to when the initiative was still starting out.
“I set out on a run from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast in a non-stop effort to help see this program come to life,” Mr Douglass said.
“[It was] a running challenge that would continue for the next four years while joining the Channel Nine Children’s Telethon.
“Challenges included non-stop 100km treadmill run along with a 30 and 40 hour non-stop run around Brisbane.”
Mr Douglass will tackle the 100km backwards run on Saturday, June 3 at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.
Visit childrens.org.au online to contribute.
