Ben Castlehow and Keeton Hardwick recently returned from a monumental adventure. They all did 24 parkruns in under 24 hours over Albany and Bunbury in Western Australia. This extraordinary accomplishment would see them run a combined distance of 120 kilometers to benefit and build awareness for their individual charities. Castlehow supported On My Feet, a nonprofit that empowers homeless people to reach long-term self-sufficiency. At the same time, Hardwick set up fundraising events for the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre in Perth.
The unique multi-dimensional experience that began bright and early at 8 AM on Saturday. Participants enjoyed the picturesque yet challenging hilly course of the Mount Clarence parkrun. Runners are released on the hour and must finish a 5K each hour or risk being eliminated. The challenge ended at 8 AM the next day, a tough but exhilarating 24-hour stretch.
A Grueling Challenge
Castlehow called it a heavy physical test, but an incredible test of endurance to see where your limits truly are. We launched every hour on the hour. Our first day started at 8 AM with the Mount Clarence parkrun,” he mentioned. The Subway runner was riding high through the first half of the ordeal. When the fatigue set in, the test suddenly became much harder.
In much the same way, Hardwick discovered that the challenge was difficult both physically and psychologically. It’s a tough trip, and it’s not a simple one staying fueled and staying hydrated is one of the hardest parts, he admitted. He harped on the need to make change by leaning into discomfort. He noted, “Physically, just everything hurts more and you have to fight through it.”
In this remarkable undertaking, only one other participant joined Castlehow in completing all 24 parkruns, underscoring the challenge’s demanding nature.
Young Talent Takes on the Challenge
One of them was 12-year-old Jackson Beeck, who ran a marathon distance worth of miles over the course of the weekend long event. A familiar sight at the Mount Clarence parkrun every Saturday morning, Beeck told the Sporting Capital that he was determined to come good. He acknowledged the first half was a breeze. Then it quickly deteriorated further, which left him depleted.
Although things were tough, Beeck didn’t lose sight of his vision. I had my heart set on running a marathon,” he recalled. For that reason, I really had to force myself to continue and try my best. His commitment and determination exemplified the spirit of the event.
Raising Awareness and Funds
Both Castlehow and Hardwick sought to create awareness about and collect donations for their selected nonprofits through their amazing displays of effort. On My Feet’s mission to empower the homeless through running struck a chord with Castlehow and kept him inspired during the challenge.
Hardwick’s strong advocacy for the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre resonated. This underscored the urgency for funding and support for those affected by diabetes. He reflected on his journey: “In the middle of the night I started to get a little impatient — my hardest was lap 23.”
Castlehow’s journey served a greater purpose. It was a personal sort of milestone for him, as he extended his distance – or his “personal best” – past the farthest he’d ever gone before (85km).
