More than 300 running Gold Coast Airport Marathon to raise money for MND

MORE than 300 runners will take part in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon next weekend to raise money for the MND and Me Foundation.

This year, 280 people are running the Gold Coast Marathon for MND and Me - the race's biggest team ever. Georgina Ward, 11. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

SOME race a marathon for the guts or the glory but not this team of runners.

More than 300 of them will be participating in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon next weekend to raise money for the MND and Me Foundation.

Adam Bambrick is one of them.

MARATHON OF AN EFFORT FOR SIDS
US GREAT FOR GOLD COAST MARATHON

Rosie Ward, 10, Adam Bambrick and Georgina Ward, 11 preparing to take part in Gold Coast Marathon events to raise funds for motor neurone disease. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

Running the half marathon, only one thing will be on his mind during the gruelling effort — his dad who died from the disease in 2009.

“Motor neurone disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow undergo degeneration and die,” Mr Bambrick explained.

“My father was an inspiration to many, a very proud man and a long term sufferer of MND.

“He was my mentor, friend, adviser and the man I wish I was.

“The impact on me personally, as a result of a decade of caring for my father has been very painful and has left me with my own battles to face and conquer.”

This year, 280 people are running the Gold Coast Marathon for MND and Me — the race's biggest team ever. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

While his hero won’t be there to cheer him along, Mr Bambrick said his father would be “the reason for every step I will take during the race.”

“It will be a tough challenge but nowhere near as brutal as the distress his body encountered throughout his illness,” he said.

“With the support and encouragement of my family, I am confident I will finish the race and in doing so promote the work of the MND and Me Foundation so that others in this situation can take advantage of the support network available to them.”