Torquay teen Shayne McFarland hopes the memory of “bubbly” cousin Sammy can keep him going when he takes on an epic 100km ultramarathon.
The 16-year-old is running the Surf Coast Century in September to raise money for Heartkids in memory of Sammy, who died of heart disease in 2017.
“She was always smiling,” he remembered.
Shayne was running regularly and rode 145km last Saturday in the Otway Classic in preparation for the event.
Due to his age he has to complete trial runs and other requirements before being allowed to compete.
His mum Amanda, a physical trainer, completed the event in less than 12 hours, which inspired him to give it a go, he said.
“Mum supports me – she gets me up to train when I’m trying to sleep in.”
But Amanda insisted competing was “all Shayne’s idea” and believed he was the first 16-year-old to attempt the gruelling run.
“He can do it – he’s fit enough,” she said.
Running 100km was as much a matter of mental toughness and training as physical prowess, she said.
“He’s lucky – he’s got the strong heart.”
Sammy was “always laughing and happy” despite struggling from birth with her heart condition, Amanda said.
Amanda and Shayne’s uncle (her brother) and aunt were very proud of him for attempting the event, she said.
