By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
DESPITE his Hawthorn connections, personal trainer Matt Daniels has plenty of local support for his 760-kilometre run from Adelaide to Geelong.
Matt will run 65km a day in his fundraiser for Breast Cancer Network Australia in memory of his Hawks-supporting grandmother, Jean Daniels.
He aims to return on 1 June, the date of both her birthday and cancer diagnosis.
“When its personal it means more. It’s challenging but I have the memory of nanna to keep me going.
“She managed to see Hawthorn beat Fremantle in the grand final. She was always the matriarch of the family; strong, courageous and very giving.”
Matt admitted being a personal trainer with his own gym was an advantage.
“I’m feeling fit and firing, feeling really good. I’ve been doing between 200 and 300km a week and long runs from Newcomb to Lorne, which is about 65km, the distance I have to cover each day.
“It equates to 18 marathons over 12 days, so it’s as much about recovery as it is endurance.”
With a target of $25,000, Matt has already garnered almost $5000 in donations.
His challenge begins Wednesday after a fundraising farewell dinner at Buckley’s Entertainment Centre this Friday night.
Matt’s accepting donations at his Facebook page, MD Road Warrior.
