Ultra marathon runner on a mission to honour police force
Ultra marathon runner Matt Wood will pound the pavement today for up to nine hours across 62km in a unique show of respect to Victoria Police and, rain, hail or shine, he hopes his run can raise funds for Police Legacy.
VIC News
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Rosanna man Matt Wood plans to run every single street in the suburb — all 98 of them — in a show of support to Victoria Police.
The ultra marathon runner will pound the pavement today for up to nine hours across 62km in a unique show of respect to the state’s force.
Mr Wood, 42, said he was “knocked sideways” when he heard the news four police officers had died on the Eastern Freeway and hoped to raise $10,000 for the Police Legacy charity.
“I was brought up to respect police and for some reason there’s been a shift in society which sucks,” he said.
“Police deserve our unwavering support. As a community, we owe them so much for what they do for us.
“I was hellbent on doing something positive, to show it isn’t just doom and gloom.”
The dad of two has a few mates in the force but was driven by the “fallen heroes” who died on the job and their families whose lives will never be the same.
Mr Wood will start and finish at his Laane Ave home and will persist regardless of bleak forecasted weather conditions.
“It goes ahead rain, hail or shine,” he said.
“It goes to the heart of the cause, police have our back unreservedly. It’s the least I can do.”
Mr Wood has divided the streets of Rosanna into quadrants and said mapping out the itinerary was an “absolutely mind blowing experience”.
His best case scenario will be a 57km run, but he expects to clock as many as 62km.
After the run he is looking forward to a “quiet beer and a hot bath” at home.
To donate to Mr Wood’s cause or to track his run, visit facebook.com/runrosannaforVicPolice on Facebook.
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