A PASSIONATE advocate ran across some of Alice Springs most rugged terrain in a gruelling effort to raise funds and awareness for Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia (NECA).
Sharon Rickard, a long-time Wallan local and member of NECA’s Consumer Advisory Group, raised an outstanding $2500 when she conquered the Run Larapinta Namatjira course on Monday, August 18.
The 80 km plus ultramarathon was sectioned into four stages across four days.
On day one, Friday, August 15, runners lined up for a 13.5 km run from the Old Telegraph Station to The Mercure, and on day two, the Standley Chasm loop: 20 km.
The next leg required even more stamina as the Birthday Waterhole to Standley Chasm distance spanned an exhausting 22 km.
Finally, Ms Rickard completed her challenge after running from the Counts Point turn-off to Ellery Creek Waterhole: a very resilient 27 km.
Ms Rickard said her physical recovery will include lots of magnesium, excessive use of her foam roller and extra visits to her massage therapist and with time the skin lesions on her hands will heal.
“That trail is a once in a lifetime experience for me,” she said.
“Every time you look up, there’s something different to see.
“There was a combination of shale and loose gravel surfaces to run on and at times fire access tracks. Some of it was just not runnable.
“There were lots of skinned knee’s and there was a 950M elevation to scale.”
The effort highlights Ms Rickards experience with Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) and fuels her to improve outcomes for patients such as the 24/7 NET Nurses hotline to help support patients living from diagnosis to treatment.
“It’s a cancer that is often misdiagnosed and poorly understood,” she said.
“I was diagnosed in 2015, but I received prompt treatment.
“I truly want there to be more like me, that can say there is no evidence of disease!”
The funds raised will also support education and research.
Along with encouragement from her family and friends, GV Security Fencing and Shanda from TravelManagers Australia supported NETS.
Always a passionate advocate for NECA, Ms Rickard continues to inspire others who have NETS to share their story, visit neuroendocrine.org.au/.
