By TOM HAYES

 

TWO years after attempting to break the record to become the fastest person to cross the Simpson Desert on foot, Traralgon’s Blake Bourne will be out to try again this winter.

Across a four-day period in August 2023, Bourne made his first attempt at running the 380 kilometres in less than three days and eight hours, in an attempt to break the current record set by Pat Farmer (379 kilometres in three days, eight hours and 36 minutes) in 1998.

Unfortunately for Bourne, it wasn’t to be at the time, running 203.2km in 53.5 hours (two days, five hours and 33 minutes). But despite the disappointment, Bourne took much away from that experience.

Going into the run, he was faced with a number of physical challenges, as injuries stunted his ability to train in the lead-up to the world record attempt.

During training, he suffered a torn hip labrum, hip bursitis, bone stress in the femoral neck, a torn calf, and two weeks before the run he tore both of his patella tendons, to which he said “leading into the run the most I’d ran was probably about 10 kilometres”.

Despite the pain and failed attempt, the effort was incredible, and on top of that he raised more than $21,000 for charity.

Since the day he stopped running in the Simpson Desert, Bourne has continued to strive towards a second attempt, which he will endure once again this August.

“I learnt a lot through my efforts last time, and this time around I’m changing things up,” he said.

“I’ll have with me two to three support vehicles to ensure I’m able to run the entire thing non-stop, whilst also having the appropriate personnel required, and carrying food and water.”

The objective remains the same: run 380km across the Simpson Desert in less than three days and eight hours. And once again he will be raising money for a great cause, with an extended focus on the fundraising front.

“Through this run, my aim is to spark meaningful conversations around mental health and raise much-needed funds for suicide prevention, with all money raised going directly towards Speak & Share, with the goal of raising upwards of $38,000, which represents $100 for every kilometre run,” Bourne told the Express.

“In the lead up to my run across the Simpson Desert, to help assist with fundraising efforts I will be hosting a community fundraising initiative with prizes for those who take part, such as a family pass to Luna Park.

“The challenge is called ‘The Uncomfortable Challenge’, and each week people will set their own uncomfortable challenge.”

Throughout this challenge, participants can set and complete their own uncomfortable challenge and fundraising target, with every $10 raised counting as one entry into the giveaway.

On his socials, Bourne has showcased a plethora of uncomfortable challenges, recently undertaking amusing challenges such as sorting skittles with chopsticks, standing in a lake overnight, and doing 1000 steps for every degree (Celsius) which saw him walk over 200,000 steps in a week.

Much has changed since preparation for the first run, and Bourne’s body appears to be in much better nick now compared to two years ago.

“Given I was significantly injured a couple of years ago, my body’s feeling a lot better,” he said.

“Definitely not running as long as I was. (I’m) doing a lot more strength training (and) focusing a lot more on strength training than I was previously.”

Speak & Share is described as “a not-for-profit mental health organisation who encourages the tough conversations and challenges the stigma associated with mental health”.

Bourne’s passion for mental health awareness was sparked by his own personal experience, which he told the Express in 2023.

“I’ve been through a few mental health battles myself,” he said two years ago.

“I’ve seen mates go through the same thing and watched mates lose people to suicide.

“The impact and seeing how it affects their lives, I don’t want anyone else to go through that pain, so I’m doing this to hopefully spark some change and bring those (suicide) numbers back down.”

Keep an eye on Bourne’s Instagram (@blakexbourne) for updates regarding the run and his preparation, as well as his uncomfortable challenges.

For more information about Blake’s Big Red Run, ‘The Uncomfortable Challenge’, and to donate, visit: blakesbigredrun.com