Family Fun Day to send off cop on run around Australia

IT’S ALMOST “go time” for police officer Dave Alley, who will jog out of Oakes Oval at Lismore this Sunday for the start of his marathon record attempt.

Dave Alley in training for his attempt at breaking the world record for running around Australia. Picture: Mireille Merlet-Shaw

IT'S ALMOST "go time" for police officer Dave Alley, who will jog out of Oakes Oval at Lismore this Sunday for the start of his marathon record attempt.

The 14,000km journey around Australia, called Race Around Australia 2, is expected to take him six months.

He'll finish up back in Lismore.

To help send Dave off in style, Lismore City Council is hosting a family fun day at Oakes Oval on Sunday.

FUN DAY

When: 7am until 10am on Sunday

Where: Oakes Oval, Lismore

What: Family fun day to farewell Dave Alley

Tourism and events manager, Mitch Lowe, said Dave's determination was inspiring.

Along the way, he will be raising money for the White Cloud Foundation and those living with depression.

Dave also hopes to become the fastest man to run around the country, breaking Pat Farmer's 1999 record of 191 days.

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"Dave's determination and selflessness is inspiring - and we are really honoured he chose Lismore as the start and finish line for his mammoth record attempt," Mr Lowe said.

We are holding a free community event with lots of activities for children to farewell him this Sunday.

"It will be colourful and fun, and will ensure Dave leaves on his journey feeling supported and motivated.

"He has done countless hours of gruelling training and now has six months of running ahead of him.

"It is an enormous feat of physical endurance and willpower - the least we can do is send him off in style."

There will be a sausage sizzle, coffee van, jumping castle, face painting, clowns, balloon twisting, magic, sack races, egg and spoon races and totem tennis.

Follow Dave's journey at racearoundaus.com.au.