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50 MARATHONS IN 50 DAYS CHALLENGE

FOR Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital

CHALLENGE DASHBOARD

50 MARATHONS IN 50 DAYS FINISHED

2110km

TOTAL DISTANCE RUN

“It’s not about the running… it’s for a bigger cause.” – Tom Price

When Sylvie had the fight of her life after being born prematurely, her uncle, Tom Price, knew he had to do something.

Born to loving mother Zoe via emergency caesarean section, Sylvie weighed a fragile 628 grams, and required an oxygen mask to breathe. The amazing professionals of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne gave Sylvie a chance at survival, and cultivated hope for her family. Sylvie spent her first 134 days of life in their care.

Inspired by Sylvie and Zoe, Tom wanted to give back to the NICU the only way he knew how – running. 50 Marathons In 50 Days is his incredible challenge. From the 9th of December 2023 to the 27th of January 2024, Tom will be running 42.2km a day – a total of 2,110km – equivalent to running halfway across Australia.

Alongside raising awareness of the NICU, he hopes to raise $120,000 minimum to support the current and future families that have critically ill or premature babies in their life-saving care. These funds will be used to purchase kangaroo chairs – recliners specifically designed to keep parent and baby feeling safe and supported during skin-to-skin contact.

For premature babies like Sylvie, skin-to-skin contact can be limited to as little as an hour a day when in critical care. These kangaroo chairs can help make every precious moment count as parents’ bond with their newborn. Any additional funds will go towards supporting life-changing research for the NICU.

MAKE A DONATION

Donate to the NICU 50 Marathons 50 Days fundraiser today to help support Tom’s worthwhile cause and raise much-needed funds.

Donate


ABOUT TOM


“My conversations with people are so much better, my relationships with people are better, my physical health, my social health, my mental health… all of this has come from running.” – Tom Price

Tom wasn’t always an avid runner. Like many of us, his running journey began during COVID-19 lockdowns, but it didn’t take long until he was hooked – going from zero kilometres to 90km a week within one year.

Through running, Tom experienced personal growth within multiple facets of his life. Sportitude is proud to be a part of his continuing journey as he laces up for the 50 Marathons In 50 Days challenge to support the NICU.

Tom is a caring uncle, passionate Health & Physical Education teacher, and a selfless inspiration to anyone that has ever dreamed of making a positive difference.

Follow Tom’s journey and share your support through his Instragram @the_price_of_running and keep track of his running on Strava.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SYLVIE AND ZOE'S JOURNEY
& WHY TOM IS TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE

Donate to the NICU 50 Marathons 50 Days fundraiser today to help support Tom’s worthwhile cause and raise much-needed funds.

Donate


TOM'S JOURNEY TO THE CHALLENGE

1 WEEK UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom shows us where he will be doing the 50 Marathons and encourages anyone with a NICU story to join him for some km's, and share the journey with him.

He also provides an insight into his training plan for the past 3 months and recovery techniques he has implemented along the way. The plan this week is to get fresher, not fitter.

2 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

A delivery of shoes, energy gels, and hydration from Sportitude arrived this week to help him complete the challenge. Advice from our team of experts has helped Tom find the right rotation of shoes for running 50 marathons in 50 days.

3 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

With only 3 weeks to go, Tom is tapering his training to freshen up his body and mind. He is using a Coros Pace 3 running watch supplied by Coros and is loving the battery life, running data and lightweight feel.

He has also had several visits to Me Time Recovery's facility to ensure his body is ready before the start of the 50 marathons. The current focus is more on rest, sleep, nutrition and easy shorter runs.

"50 Marathons in 50 Days" printed tops from Sportitude and Ronhill arrived just in time for Tom's interview with Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper and photoshoot with Aaron Francis Photography

4 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom met with Adam Lynch who owns Me Time Recovery in Frankston, a sports recovery and wellbeing facility that Tom has access to during his running campaign.

Tom will have access to an infrared sauna, traditional sauna , iCool sports magnesium ice baths, compression boots and massage guns.

Thank you to Adam and the team at Me Time Recovery

5 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom visits Zoe and Sylvie where he is asked to be her Godparent, and of course he said yes!

It takes 17 hours a day to feed Sylvie via a machine - to set it up, to clean it and to express breastmilk for the feeds. When Tom is feeling tired during the challenge, this will certainly be motivation to keep going.

6 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom is currently trialing a range of shoes that he was fitted with at Sportitude.

Tom is also developing his fueling strategy for the challenge and trialling a range of gels to help fuel his 50 marathons. Currently trying SIS, Huma, Maurten which were supplied by Sportitude.

7 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Sylvie had an operation on her eyes which included laser surgery with up to 250 burns per eye and injections, to help her see all the beautiful things in the world. She is a very brave girl. This was on her 4 month milestone (corrected age).

8 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom runs a solo marathon around an athletics track. He completed the 42.2km distance in 2hours 35min... which is 3:42 /km pace! That's 105.5 laps of the track!

10 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom flies to Adelaide to meet the team at Sportitude. Our team of shoe experts perform a RunDNA assessment to ensure Tom is wearing the correct shoes for the 50 Marathons in 50 Days Challenge.

11 WEEKS UNTIL CHALLENGE

Tom completed some filming with the Royal Women's Hospital about his upcoming mission and why he is raising awareness and funds for the NICU, and what the RWH and NICU means to his family. Tom got to revisit the NICU where Sylvie spent 134 days.

Tom visited Sylvie for the first time since he saw her during March in the NICU. This goes to show you the seriousness of her health condition that even close family members have had to be reserved from visitation.