Sydney mates set to run 80 marathons in 80 days

Four best mates from NSW are set to travel to the USA to embark on potentially the toughest challenge of their lives, putting their bodies to the test for a good cause.

Rory Cheal, Sean Stuart, Max Cutrone and Jasper Gotterson about to leave for the USA to run in 80 marathons in 80 days. Picture: John Grainger

Four best mates from New South Wales are set to travel to the USA to embark on potentially the toughest challenge of their lives, putting their bodies to the test for a good cause.

Jasper Gotterson, Max Cutrone, Rory Cheal and Sean Stuart, a group of 23-year-old “battlers” from Sydney, Lightning Ridge and Byron Bay will run 80 marathons over 80 days up the east coast of America.

The “Mates v States” crew will be covering a whopping 4480km from the tip of Florida to the Canadian border, with each team member prepared to “run, walk or crawl” the 56km distance every day.

The group will donate all funds raised from their efforts to the Cancer Council after having closely experienced the heartbreak, difficulty and loss that comes from a member of the family diagnosed with the disease.

“In your life you’re going to at least know someone impacted by cancer, there’s 1 in 2 australians with cancer, there are so many people can relate to this,” Mr Cutrone said.

The four best mates from Sydney are running to raise funds for cancer research in Australia. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Cheal’s mother battled breast cancer for over six years.

“Seeing mum go through that, it’s pretty tough,” he said.

“It’s vital to have cancer research to come up with different treatments.”

The full-time University students have spent the past year juggling their training, study, work and 6000 calorie intake needed to fuel their bodies for the trek across 13 states.

The group want to “show what the human body can do when it has a purpose greater than itself.”

“We want to try make a difference and do something good, it is definitely challenge for us,” Mr Gotterson said.

After hours of training, “eating copious amounts of potatoes”, “listening to Prince Harry’s audio book on runs” and tackling 7 marathons in 7 days, the group feel confident they will complete the journey but are still anxious leading up to the launch.

The group say they are nervous ahead of their marathon commencement on February 18th. Picture: John Grainger

“We’re terrified and very nervous,” Mr Stuart said also revealing the team only have 90 days in the states due to visa restrictions.

“There is that donations pressure and personal pressure to finish the run because we’ve invested so much time, money and effort.”

The team have currently raise $20,314 ahead of their departure on the 18th of February with the total goal of $250,000.

“This is completely self funded and we didn’t realise how expensive a trip like this was to pull off but we are willing to put that money on the line for this great cause,” Mr Gotterson said.

View the Mates v States donation page here.

Originally published as Sydney mates set to run 80 marathons in 80 days