Thousands of people packed the promenade at Bondi Beach to cheer Nedd Brockmann’s arrival after his epic 3800-kilometre charity run from Cottlesloe Beach in Perth.
Sydney turned on the sunshine after a rainy morning as crowds gathered, some with small children hoisted on shoulders or waving signs such as “Nedd the leg”.
Brockmann burst through the finish banner just after 5.30pm on Monday, before grabbing it and throwing it into the crowd.
Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann at Bondi Beach.Credit: Edwina Pickles
A First Nations group from the Yuin nation, Natchatongnongga, which translates to “Through the Mother”, performed a smoking ceremony to cleanse Brockmann after his journey and help ensure a “happy and healthy life”.
Brockmann suffered a string of injuries on his run, including severe tenosynovitis in his shins, massive blisters and maggots growing in his toes.
After the ceremony, he climbed to the balcony on the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving club to thank the crowd.
The electrician from Forbes in rural NSW let out a triumphant roar, echoed by screams from the crowd, before saying he couldn’t explain how much he had to go through to get from Cottlesloe to Bondi in 46.5 days.
Nedd Brockmann has run from Perth to Bondi Beach. A large crowd of fans witnessed the journey at Bondi Beach.Credit: Edwina Pickles
“To be here and have all this support is absolutely mind-blowing; I’m speechless,” he said.
He then sprayed a magnum of champagne over the side of the balcony, took a few gulps, and disappeared inside for some quiet time ahead of a party with his friends and family.
Brockmann’s best friend and photographer Bradley Farley said it was overwhelming to arrive in Sydney after “being in a bubble for 47 days, just chatting with eagles and kangaroos”.
Farley, one of a team of support people for Brockmann on the road including his parents Kylie and Ian, girlfriend Jemma Griffin, a physiotherapist and sponsor, said he never doubted his mate would complete the run, which equates to more than 270 City2Surfs.
“It takes a special person to do this, but he doesn’t have ‘quit’ in him,” Farley said.
Brockmann’s fundraiser for homeless charity Mobilise had surpassed $1.5 million - smashing his initial $1 million goal - by the time he finished.
Mobilise founder Noah Yang said the money would make a huge change to the services they could provide, and had also raised awareness of homelessness.
“Looking out at everyone here it’s also about the conversation that’s been started,” Yang said. “First there was climate change, then mental health and homelessness can be the next frontier [that people engage with].”
Brockmann’s campaign has been closely documented on his Instagram page with his diet of meat pies, Sour Patch Kids, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts capturing attention across the globe.
He has received a series of video messages of support, including from his favourite NRL team, the Parramatta Eels, and UFC star Israel Adesanya.
Speaking on radio station 2GB on Monday morning, his mother Kylie said there was nothing that could stand in the way of her son completing his run.
“He will be in hospital before he stops,” she said.
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