Nedd Brockmann has crossed the finish line of an epic run from Australia's west coast to east coast, presenting a cheque for $1.5 million to We Are Mobilise for their work with Australia's homeless.
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When he finished the 4000-kilometre journey the 23-year-old tradie from NSW's Central West didn't look tired, instead he grabbed the finish line banner and threw it in the air, pumping his fists to the roar of the gathered crowd.
Mr Brockmann ran through the finish line in Bondi, Sydney, about 5.30pm on Monday, 47 days after he left Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia, hardly the image of a man who has suffered blisters and maggots in his toes.
In 47 days, the electrician by trade has become the second-fastest person to run the width of Australia, covering an average 100km in 10 hours each day.
He fell short of the 40-day target but he says he doesn't care.
"I'm just chuffed," Mr Brockmann said.
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The runner embarked on the speed and distance challenge, while also aiming to raise $1 million to help increase awareness of homelessness.
By the time he finished the cross-nation pursuit, he'd raised $1.5 million.
"It is unbelievable. I'm bloody speechless," Mr Brockmann said.
The Forbes boy could not believe the number of homeless people in Sydney, and used his passion for running to shine a light on the issue.
"Very quickly after day one, I realised it was much more than breaking the record," he said.
"It was more about showing up and showing that people can do a whole lot more with their life.
"It's taken a lot to get through here - I don't really think I can explain just the depths I've had to go to to get from Cottesloe to Bondi in 46-and-a-half days.
"To be here and have all this support."
His mum Kylie never doubted her son's goal.
"When he says he'll do something then that's what he does," she told AAP.
"If he says he's going to do it, then you better buckle in.
"He's never not been himself. He is authentically himself."
We Are Mobilise founder and CEO Noah Yang said he was "overwhelmed" by the groundswell of support from people around the country.
"As you can tell from Ned's personality, he's just someone who wants to set high, lofty goals that to many people would seem unachievable," Mr Yang said.
"But he's just achieved it."
The charity offers functional assistance for those experiencing homelessness, providing care packages and connection to key services.
"For us, the focus was never on a specific dollar amount, it was really just on the ability to drive that awareness," Mr Yang said.
"But we're really excited about the impact that we'll be able to make with the funds that we have available."
Mr Brockmann's run was documented on his Instagram account with videos and photos of him crying and laughing at various stages along the route, and running in the pouring rain.
After crossing the finish line he cried while hugging his parents, before doing a shoey (drinking from his shoe) at the crowd's behest.
When asked what he's going to do next, Mr Brockmann said: "Obviously, no running."
You can still donate: go online to neddsrecordrun.com
- with Australian Associated Press
