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Nedd Brockmann's cross-country run has blown minds and won hearts

He's bloody done it. 

Nedd may not have broken the world record, but he has won the heart of the nation. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram
Nedd may not have broken the world record, but he has won the heart of the nation. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram

The 23-year-old tradie from Forbes has raised over $1.4 million after running from Cottesloe to Bondi Beach, clocking up over 3800 kilometres along the way. 

Let us introduce to Australia's newest hero, Nedd Brockmann.

The blonde, mulleted sparky has won a legion of fans after embarking an incredible 3952km across Australia, running from Cottesloe in Western Australia to Bondi Beach in New South Wales, on foot. 

His aim was to beat the world record (held by Achim Heukemes who did it an impressive 43 days back in 2005), but an injury pushed Brockmann's timeline back, meaning he completed his mission in 47 days. 

That still equates to doing an ultra marathon every day, for a month and a half. Let that sink in a bit. 

After moving to Sydney and being shocked at the number of people sleeping rough, Nedd set his original goal at raising $1 million for the homeless population, via the charity Mobilise. You can watch more about his motivation here.

This afternoon, Nedd presented a cheque made out to Mobilise for just shy of $1.5 million outside the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club.  

Nedd Brockmann finishes his headline-making run in Bondi Beach. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram
Nedd Brockmann finishes his headline-making run in Bondi Beach. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram

The final stretch

Today, at approximately 5.45pm the 23-year-old ran the final stretch along Bondi Beach - waving to thousands of well-wishes who lined the promenade to cheer on his final few metres.

And to celebrate? Nedd did a shooey, much to the delight of the assembled crowd. 

Bachelor alumn Matty J was there to lend support by playing MC to the excited crowd, many of whom have been no doubt following his journey thanks to his inspirational daily updates on Instagram. 

TV camera crews and a sea of phones were there to capture the moment he ran across the line, after which Nedd fell into the arms of friends and family who were waiting for him. Including parents Kylie and Ian Brockmann, and Sydney-based personal trainer girlfriend Jemma Griffin. 

In Nedd's own words

Addressing the crowd from the balcony of the Surf Life Saving Club, Brockmann said "I am absolutely blown away... It has taken a lot... a lot to get to here and I don't think I can explain the depths I've had to go to.

"To have all this support is absolutely mind blowing. I am speechless. Thank you guys. Amazing."

Australians have been supporting him as he's run thousands of kilometres across the country. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram
Australians have been supporting him as he's run thousands of kilometres across the country. Image: @bradfarleyphoto via Instagram

Support from another Aussie icon

Australian running icon Steve Moneghetti spoke to Foxsports.com.au for the awe he felt for Brockmann's achievement, saying “I thought I was an endurance athlete but it puts it into perspective... I was running twice a day, and that was only 13 hours a week, to be able to do something like that, you’d be out there 13 hours a day – it’s just incredible.”

Nedd's dedicated Instagram following have been piling on the comments and likes on the final day of his journey, with famous fans like Hamish Blake taking to his own socials to celebrate Nedd's achievement. 

Fundraising efforts are still afoot (pardon the pun). If you'd like to buy some Nedd merch, or donate to his new goal of hitting $2 million, you can head to his page here

Originally published as Nedd Brockmann's cross-country run has blown minds and won hearts

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/health/fitness/cardio/nedd-brockmanns-crosscountry-run-has-blown-minds-and-won-hearts/news-story/09b51996ca2dda1e21ed584b7114ad8e