Archie Kynaston and Chris Brigg complete Mackay Marina half marathon

Archie Kynaston and his great uncle Chris Brigg stole the show at the BMA Mackay Marina Run. Crossing the line tired but elated, it was an extra special feat for the pair. Read their inspiring story.

There were plenty of great athletes at the BMA Mackay Marina Run but it was Archie Kynaston and his great uncle Chris Brigg who stole the show.

The pair managed to complete the half marathon in an impressive two hours and 15 minutes.

Speaking post run Mr Brigg admitted it was a gruelling challenge.

“I’ve been better,” he said.

“I can’t even remember the end of it to be honest.”

Chris Brigg and Archie Kynaston completing their half marathon. BMA Mackay Marina Run June 5 2022. Picture: Max O'Driscoll.

A warm June day, Mr Brigg had hoped for cooler conditions.

He thanked the “team effort” that helped him get across the line.

Mr Brigg battled Covid in the lead up to the event which did not do his cause any favours.

All in all, it was all worth it, as “Archie was absolutely over the moon”.

Mr Brigg had run prior half marathons between one hour and 47 minutes, and one hour and 50.

He had expected heading into the run the pair would finish between two hours and 15 minutes and two hours 30.

The result being at the lower end of that scale on a warm day, proved to be an amazing achievement.

Originally, he had planned to finish the race beside Archie but Mr Brigg said he was “toasted” by the time he got to the finish line, so Archie ended with a narrow victory.

Chris Brigg and Archie Kynaston on one of their practice runs. Picture: Supplied.

Archie and his brother Jensen were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in early 2015.

DMD is a disorder that leads to muscle wasting that gets progressively worse over time.

Carriers have a limited life expectancy.

The boys’ great aunty Lindy Brigg said the boys’ diagnoses caused a “heartbreaking” period for the family.

“It has been shattering for the family and all of us have been wanting to do whatever we can to support them,” Ms Brigg said.

“They’re such a big part of our lives and we’re a really close family, so that is how this all came about.”

While the boys’ yearly health checks have come back positively to date and they are both still moving around without a wheelchair, unfortunately things will deteriorate as they get older.

Archie and Mr Brigg ran the Mackay Marina half-marathon on Sunday to raise awareness and money to go towards the boys’ care, as well as provide Archie with an enjoyable experience.

“My husband and I have been a part of a running group for a long time and our original plan in 2020 was to do the City to Surf and we were going to take Archie down there,” Ms Brigg said.

“Covid stopped all of that and it has been a couple of years now, but we decided it was something we still would really like to do.

“We thought we’d participate on the local level which is a bit easier than transferring everyone to Sydney for such a large event.”

Daniel, Rylea, Archie, Jensen and Jacqui Kynaston in team uniform. Picture: Supplied.

In the past few weeks, Mr Brigg completed longer runs with Archie in the stroller.

Women from his running club met him at different pit stops throughout the run, to give him a small break from the stroller and ensure he has an opportunity to replenish.

Archie’s great aunty describes him as a quiet, wise old soul who is beyond his years.

She said he was keen to give anything a go and was excited for the weekend’s event.

Archie’s family will also participate in the 5km event on the day.

They will all be wearing their bright yellow Superhero Boys shirts.

Money raised will go to Our Superhero Boys which is a not-for-profit organisation they formed to raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

For more information on how to donate or to see how you can get involved, head to the Our Superhero Boys Inc Facebook page.

Originally published as Archie Kynaston and Chris Brigg complete Mackay Marina half marathon