#58two58 and one busted ankle

In near pitch black conditions, following only the light of our head torches and the moon across an icy forest trail, Lachlan Stuart has successfully kicked off his attempt at running 58 marathons, across 58 states, within 58 days. Just pure white snow and towering spruce trees as far as we could see for the majority of the 42.2km of the Anchorage, Alaska route. 

My son Monty and I are making our way back to Australia as you read this, having supported Lachie during the launch of what will be a world-first feat when he wraps up his final marathon back in Brisbane in March. My bad ankle is busted further, after rolling it about 16km in so it wasn’t a pretty effort by me but Lachie smashed it out with only a sore big toe to speak of at the finish.

What a once-in-a-lifetime experience it’s been, one that was so surreal it was hard to feel any pain during what ended up being a 3:53:30 workout (5’31”/KM for those playing along at home). The real MVP was my lad Monty, who rugged up to cover around 4km of the stint with us. 

Lachlan, after missing a flight for the first time in his life and getting in just five hours sleep, has already conquered his next marathon in Yakima, Washington. There’s only a cheeky 56 consecutive marathons to go. What a legend.

As I’ve mentioned in previous social media posts, you too can support Lachie by chipping in a few dollars to the Mental Awareness Foundation which will go towards his goal of raising $100,000 for mental health services. He’s already received around $60,000.

If you’re also keen to follow him across America and then Oz, the correct social media links are below:

Website –https://www.themanthatcanproject.com

Instagram: @lachlanstuart

Facebook: @lachlanstuart

There’s nothing better than getting behind great people doing extraordinary things.

Matt Lancashire