AC/DC INSPIRED RUNNER CROSSES AUSTRALIA IN LESS THAN A MONTH<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />A determined endurance runner was filmed crossing vast stretches of Australia, pushing his body to the limit while facing extreme heat, isolation and encounters with deadly wildlife along the way.<br />Rob Pope, 47 year old from Liverpool, UK from ran nearly 2,000 kilometres across Australia, inspired by AC/DC and driven by a mission to raise money for charity.<br />The route stretched across the country from Melbourne to Brisbane and became as much a mental challenge as a physical one, with long days on exposed roads, limited support, and constant calculations around food, water and pace.<br />Along the journey, Rob encountered a frightening moment involving a highly venomous brown snake, forcing him to flee mid-run.<br />He also carried through despite injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, glute injuries, and constant pain all in the name for charity.<br />The run aims to raise £40,000 (around $80,000 AUD) for charity, supporting the NSPCC, World Wildlife Fund, and Australian children’s charity The Smith Family.<br />He has raised $20K AUD so far but hopes to earn his target.<br />Mr Pope was running with his trusted wheeled jogging stroller he named Rosie, that carried all his much-needed items for his 28 day run.<br />The total distance was deliberately set at 1,973 kilometres, marking the year AC/DC were formed.<br />A band Rob listened to throughout the challenge and used as a personal rule, whenever AC/DC played, he was not allowed to stop running.<br />Rob said,: “So the motivation this time was really about doing something meaningful.<br />"These runs take so much out of you that there has to be a point to it.<br />“AC/DC were one of my go-to bands when I needed motivation.<br />"I made a rule that whenever AC/DC were playing, I had to keep running. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t stop.<br />“When I realised the distance across Australia lined up with their formation year, 1973, it just felt right.<br />“The total distance was 1,973 kilometres, which is special because AC/DC were formed in 1973.<br />"When I reached the stadium, I ran extra laps to hit the exact number.<br />“I was running close to 70 kilometres most days, in temperatures over 30 degrees, constantly thinking about water, food, safety and pace.<br />“At one point, I was attacked by a brown snake. It’s one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. It struck the stroller I was pushing and I had to run.<br />“Despite everything, you’re surrounded by incredible scenery and wildlife, and you try to take that in even when you’re exhausted.<br />“The goal is to raise around £40,000 or $80,000 AUD. Every penny goes to charity. Nothing comes to me.<br />"AC/DC’s management surprised me by producing inflatable guitars, signing 100 of them, and selling them for charity.<br />" Every dollar goes to the causes."<br />END
