Party in Lismore to welcome Dave back from his epic journey

DAVE Alley will reach the finish line of his epic journey in Lismore this Sunday, and will be welcomed with a party.

Dave Alley has been running around Australia for the White Cloud Foundation. He left Lismore on April 19 and will return to Lismore this Sunday. Picture: Contributed

DAVE Alley, the man who now holds the world record for the fastest person to run around Australia, will reach the finish line of his epic journey in Lismore this Sunday, and will be welcomed with a party.

Dave started his attempt on April 19, starting from Lismore and on Tuesday morning he achieved his ultimate goal - breaking the world record just north of Uralla.

He reached the key distance of 13,383km in 169 days, 15 hours and 31 minutes. Pat Farmer held the previous best time for this distance, completing it in 174 days in 1999.

A serving police officer with 14 years of service in both NSW and Queensland, Dave decided to embark on Race Around Australia 2 to raise funds for the White Cloud Foundation, which supports people and their families who are living with depression.

It's not the first time he has undertaken an amazing feat of physical endurance for charity - the original Race Around Australia was held in 2011, when he cycled around the country in just under 38 days to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Dave will become the first person to have both run and cycled around Australia.

Lismore City Council Tourism and Events Manager Mitch Lowe said he was thrilled that Dave had set a new world record, and that it was another feather in Lismore's cap.

"His goal was always to break the world record and we are so pumped he's done it!" Mitch said.

"To put your body and mind through the physical and emotional toll of running around the entire country in under six months is something most people couldn't even imagine. But Dave has a fearsome spirit and determination.

"We are so thrilled to welcome him back to Lismore to finish his amazing journey and we encourage the whole community to come and celebrate this new world record, which belongs to Dave and the city of Lismore!"

Lismore City Council will host a community event to welcome back Dave on Sunday at Oakes Oval from 12-3pm.

The celebration will include plenty of activities for all ages, from a jumping castle and face painting to a coffee van and sausage sizzle.

A special guard of honour around Oakes Oval will be provided for Dave as he arrives back in Lismore and all proceeds from the day will go to the White Cloud Foundation.

For more information, visit www.racearoundaus.com.au.