Broadbeach Cats players Rhys Finn and Sophie Balcombe have committed to running more than 100km during May to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis

The last time the entire Broadbeach Cats playing group was together was at a pre-season training camp in Byron Bay in early March.

THE last time the entire Broadbeach Cats playing group was together was at a pre-season training camp in Byron Bay in early March.

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And since their season was postponed just a week later, two players have combined to run from their clubhouse, to Byron Bay, back and even a little further.

Broadbeach Cats players, Rhys Finn and Sophie Balcombe, are combining to run over 250km in the month of May to raise money for MS. Picture: Jerad Williams

Cats players Rhys Finn and Sophie Balcombe have both been impacted in different ways by the debilitating multiple sclerosis disease, and so pledged to run more than 250km between them during May to raise awareness and maintain fitness.

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Finn’s mother was diagnosed with MS around eight years ago, making his decision to partake in the May 50km fundraiser a no-brainer.

“At the start, she was living a relatively normal life but MS has obviously taken its toll a little more each year and slowly degrader her walking ability and memory loss,” the 23-year-old said.

“She used to do walking marathons and was pretty fit back in her heyday and then my aunty Trish told me she was taking up the 50km challenge so I decided to take it up as well.

“It’s a great way to keep fit and get the word out there about MS and how much of a terrible disease it is.”

As of yesterday, Finn has already run 151km and raised nearly $2500 but has no plans of stopping until the month was up.

Broadbeach Cats players, Rhys Finn and Sophie Balcombe, are combining to run over 250km in the month of May to raise money for MS. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I upped it to 150km and if I manage to complete that, I’ll keep going and see how far I can go,” he said.

“I think I’ll feel this huge sense of accomplishment, especially starting out with an initial goal of raising $500.”

Challenging Finn for the Cat’s running throne is second year women’s player Sophie Balcombe.

After moving to the Coast from Nelson Bay last year, the 22-year-old started work as a disability support worker for Multiple Sclerosis Queensland and her sister in law is also battling the disease.

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“This challenge meant more to me than keeping fit and raising money,” she said.

“I wanted to assist in promoting awareness of what this disease is and to also show support and appreciation of how strong my clients and sister in law are.

“I had planned on doing it months ago, as the May 50k Challenge runs every year but I was trying to imagine fitting in all the extra running as well as training and games.

“I think this (season shutdown) has definitely helped maintained my fitness but I’m eager to get the ball back in my hands and stuck into training.”