Father and son team Chris and Jack Duffy are Point to Pinnacle winners before big race even starts

MEET the “coolest dude” in Australia and probably the coolest dad as well.

Jack Duffy, from left, Chris Duffy, Jaimie Duffy, Erin Duffy and Paul Morrison preparing for the Point to Pinnacle. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

MEET the “coolest dude” in Australia and probably the coolest dad as well.

Jack Duffy is a 10-year-old wheelchair-bound kid with cerebral palsy. He can’t speak, can’t eat, and can’t get around by himself.

That has not held him back, thanks to his awesome dad Chris.

Chris Duffy and son Jack preparing for the Point to Pinnacle. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Jack will do the Point to Pinnacle race on Sunday, the world’s toughest half-marathon, pushed 21km from Wrest Point to the summit of Mt Wellington solely by his father, and joined by a small army of supporters called “Just Like Jack”, whose goal is to raise awareness of cerebral palsy.

Chris’s motivation is simple.

“It’s because of the thrill that Jack gets out of it,” he said.

“Jack motivates you every day to do these different things.

“He can’t do them on his own, so we’ve got a whole crowd of people onboard to do these adventures because they realise what a cool dude he is.”

When Jack was born with cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia, Chris did not hesitate to give up his 15-year career as an Army Major flying reconnaissance helicopters.

Chris’s determination to give Jack amazing experiences peaked when he pushed and carried him 65km over six days on the Overland Track through Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage area.

MORE: OVERLAND JACK CREW UNDAUNTED BY WINTRY WILDERNESS

“It was pretty hard but fantastic fun. Jack loved it. It’s something that kids like Jack or adults like Jack would never get to experience.

“To see the joy on his face was so satisfying.”

Jack can’t communicate with words but Chris says it’s easy to tell he’s having fun.

“It’s the happiness. The yelling and the laughing and smiling and carrying on that he does, especially when you’re passing people,” Chris said.

Jack has his own website justlikejack.com.au to raise aware of cerebral palsy as well as funds for charity — more than $100,000 so far.

Originally published as Father and son team Chris and Jack Duffy are Point to Pinnacle winners before big race even starts