Teen marks 18th birthday with 100km run for charity
Most young people celebrate their 18th birthday with a party.
Rohan Martin Ritchie spent a hot and muggy Sunday morning running 100km for charity.
“I’m not going out to party,” the Grade 12 student said after standing for nearly nine hours.
“I’m going to take an ice bath and lie down for a long time.”
Friends and relatives cheered and some occasionally ran alongside him as he ran 33 and a bit laps on a 33km loop alongside Gardiner’s Creek at Burwood in Melbourne’s east.
Martin Ritchie lay exhausted on the ground as the temperature rose to 29 degrees just before 1pm.
But supporters, including parents Jen and Euan, stood up when he sang Happy birthday. He later said he felt fine except for sore legs and a tender stomach.
“He absolutely tore it up,” Jen’s mother said. Running has raised more than $14,000 for youth mental health organization headspace through MyCause so far.
Rohan averaged five minutes and 23 seconds per kilometer for 100 kilometers.
“We’re proud of him because it was really hard work,” he said. He underwent heat training for eight months, including warm clothing training.
Box Hill High School captain Rohan started the run in the dark at 4am and said he never considered canceling the run because of the heat.
“That wasn’t an option. I would never do that,” he said. “As long as I don’t break my leg or something. I promised myself I wouldn’t.”
When she turned 18, she said: “I’ve never been a big party person. Naturally, I like to go to bed early.
“Over the last few years I’ve developed a love for running, too. So I wanted to combine that love of running with a way to help people and do something that I thought was meaningful instead of just throwing a party that I wasn’t that excited about.”
She had seen firsthand “how many teens and young adults silently struggle with stress, anxiety and depression” and found that running helped her own mental health.
Proceeds will go to Headspace’s Box Hill branch.
Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said:
“Not only will the money Rohan raise help Box Hill continue to support young people, Rohan will also have a significant impact on stigma.
“It’s really powerful to see young people like Rohan share the message with their friends that it’s okay to get help for your mental health.”
Gill Callister, CEO of Mind Australia, which manages Headspace Box Hill, said:
“The funds Rohan raises will make a life-changing difference for young people in need of support in the Box Hill community.”
He said this would allow Headspace Box Hill to expand its community involvement with schools and sports groups and host events for young people and the wider community.
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