Harry Woolley running 100 half marathons in 100 days to raise vital funds for cancer research

After his brother received a devastating cancer diagnosis, Harry Woolley challenged himself to run 100 half marathons in as many days in a bid to raise funds for research.

Harry Woolley is running 100 half marathons in 100 days to raise $100k for cancer research. Picture: Supplied

A mental health nurse has set himself an ambitious running challenge to raise money for cancer research after his brother received a devastating diagnosis.

Harry Woolley is running 100 half marathons in 100 consecutive days, with the goal of raising $100,000 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

In January, Mr Woolley’s brother was diagnosed with brain cancer, aged 24, and received vital treatment at the centre.

Mr Woolley, who has worked as a mental health nurse at Barwon Health for seven years, completed the half marathon at Run Melbourne in July and raised $17,000 for the centre.

“After I did the Run Melbourne, I couldn’t stop thinking it wasn’t enough,” Mr Woolley said.

“I wanted to do more.”

Harry Woolley is running 100 half marathons in 100 days to raise $100k for cancer research. Picture: Supplied

The 28-year-old then set himself the “extreme” challenge of completing 100 half marathons, despite not being an “overly keen runner”.

“The whole idea is to raise enough money to help those who have to use (the centre’s) services next,” he said.

“My brother is doing really well now, he has even completed some runs with me (in this challenge).”

As of Wednesday, Mr Woolley was 64 days into his running challenge and has overcome a number of physical and mental challenges to complete each half marathon.

However, he had to swap pounding the pavement for cycling the distance at one point.

“At about 30 days, I thought I had a stress fracture in my hip so I had to ride my bike for a week (instead of running) while I was waiting for X-ray results,” he said.

“Last week, I had some kidney issues and I was urinating blood for a couple of days.

“I really thought I would have to call it quits but luckily all my ultrasounds and tests came back clear.”

Mr Woolley said he takes the challenge “one day at a time”.

“Instead of thinking how many days I have left, I tell myself all I have to do is run today,” he said.

“I wanted to replicate what life is like when you get all these challenges thrown at you.

“I knew things would pop up along the way that would make it feel impossible.”

Mr Woolley is documenting his challenge daily on social media, discussing the physical and mental challenges he is experiencing.

“A lot of my content that I’m posting is difficult conversations that people tend to avoid,” he said.

“I’m trying to break down the stigma (of mental health) as I go.”

Mr Woolley has raised $26,000, with an aim to raise $100,000.

Follow his running journey at instagram.com/harryontherun100.

To donate to Mr Woolley’s challenge, visit fundraise.petermac.org.au/harrysontherun.

Originally published as Harry Woolley running 100 half marathons in 100 days to raise vital funds for cancer research