Mazda Supports Alex's Out and Back Run with a BT-50

Alex Barbas is running 7,800 kilometres from Sydney to Perth – and back again – to raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and Mazda will be riding alongside.

“When people discover I’m about to run from one side of Australia to the other, make a U-turn and then run back again, the first question they always ask is, ‘Why?’,” says Alex Barbas, a Sydney-based Property Adviser who is about to take on the biggest physical challenge of his life.

“The first and most important answer is to raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Australian charity that works tirelessly to bring joy to seriously ill children and their families,” he says speaking about the organisation where he has volunteered since 2016, originally in his home town of Perth and later in Sydney when he moved cities.

The second reason?

“I'm a big kid,” he says with a gentle laugh. “’Happiness Matters’ is Starlight’s mantra. Running makes me happy and this is the ideal way to attract the right attention to raise funds that will support the vital work Starlight’s team provides for kids and their loved ones.”

 

 

Alex’s chosen challenge is gargantuan. The idea of running from Sydney to Perth is, quite literally, breath-taking. But to run back to the start is altogether remarkable. The total distance Alex will cover – around 7,800 kilometres – is akin to running from Miami to Milan, but this would require the ability to walk on water, something people are likely to credit to Alex when he completes this incredible quest.

Dig a little further and there’s a deep motivation that’s driving Alex to make this cross-continental trek.

“Because it’s there. I've always liked a challenge. I was in the Army following school and after I finished my studies I started doing more physical challenges, which cemented in me that powerful sense of reward you get from achieving something difficult.

“My goal is to raise $780,000. At the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a single $39 donation can bring happiness to a sick child, so reaching $780,000 will help Starlight support up to 20,000 kids.”

And the inspiration for this incredible challenge? Unsurprisingly, it came while completing an earlier incredible challenge.

“I’d set out to run 50 kilometres per day for 50 days and I found that by day 39 my body still felt good. I knew then I was going to get through the remaining days and it was then I started asking myself, ‘What should I do next?’”

It was a logical question when you discover that Alex thrives on pushing himself to new limits.

 

 

“I did my first City2Surf fun run in Perth in 2009. I then ran some half marathons and did my fist full marathon in 2016. I then later built up my longer-distance running abilities over 50, 60, 70 and then a hundred kilometers.”

He first connected fund raising with running when he decided to make use of Sydney’s picturesque beachside slopes.

“Last year, I ran a loop on the Bronte Hill for 12 consecutive hours and raised AU $12,000 for Starlight,” he says.

Despite his eye-opening athletic achievements, he makes a surprising confession.

“I don’t consider myself a runner. Kathy Freeman, Usain Bolt and Robert de Castella are natural runners. I’ve simply put myself in a position where I can achieve these results, but only after a lot of training.”

 

The long road ahead

Alex’s headline-making challenge began on September 1 when he took off from Sydney’s Children’s Hospital in Randwick. His running route is carefully mapped and will take in a long list of rural centres, including Goulburn and Wagga Wagga in NSW, Mildura in regional Victoria and a raft of towns, all of which Alex says, “have been supportive and generous and thrilled that I’ll be passing through.”

His destination is the Perth Children’s Hospital, which he is aiming to reach by October 18. It’s here he will turn around and make the mammoth trip back, but only after making an important stop.

“I’ll stay at my mum and dad’s place that night and hit the road back to Sydney the next morning.”

Alex’s schedule will see him run approximately 80 to 90 kilometres – and burn around 9,000 calories – each day. Preparing for such a grinding program has been a separate challenge.

“Along with plenty of running I’m spending a lot of time in the gym to ensure I build sufficient muscle mass in my legs, which is critical for strength. As well as my coach, I have a physiotherapist and a dietician who is helping ensure I can stay fueled and hydrated while maintaining muscle mass for the journey.”

 

 

And then there is the run itself. With almost 8,000 kilometres to cover, Alex is expecting to face a few headwinds.

“The biggest challenge will be the need to problem-solve every day. I’ll need to recover as much as I can each day and ensure I sleep enough. Then there’s the need to stay fueled and hydrated and navigate the weather, which could be anything from torrential rain to extreme heat.”

The non-physical preparation also has its own challenges.

“I’ve been busy making all of the necessary arrangements,” he says, adding that organising this once-in-a-lifetime quest has been its own marathon. “I’ve been following my packed schedule of training, diet and sleep while working full-time. It’s taken a lot of effort. It’s why I’m so grateful for supporters like Mazda.

“Mazda Australia was very quick to come onboard and the BT-50 is the ideal tow vehicle for the team caravan. I’m very thankful for their enthusiastic support.”

Despite the challenges, Alex has been driven by one important message.

“Happiness Matters,” he says, adding it’s something he’ll need during this life-changing journey. “A smile and a laugh will give me that extra bit of energy on the road. It’s what the Starlight Children’s Foundation does for so many kids and their families every day.”

 

 

Alex’s inspiring story is a reminder of what’s possible when you take the right steps. For a high-achieving athlete who doesn’t consider himself a runner, he is driving himself to the edges of accomplishment and pushing his personal boundaries.

Alex Barbas started his 7,800 run from the Sydney Children’s Hospital on Monday 1 September. He is expected to reach the Perth Children’s Hospital by around 17 - 18 October and return to the Sydney Children’s Hospital around 3 – 4 December.

A Mazda BT-50 GT fitted with a raft of Mazda Genuine Accessories – including a 100Ah dual battery setup, UHF, BP-51 suspension, bullbar and Lightforce Beast Mode spotlights, as well as a roof platform and side awning – will be in tow, transporting Alex’s crew and their caravan for the duration of their return journey.

Click here to donate to Alex’s Out and Back Run.