Brighton local Lucas Kent is running, swimming and cycling for the next 27 months to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).
The 22-year-old is training to complete a sub-9-hour Ironman over the next two-and-a-half years, with a goal of donating $25,000 towards research and improved care for MND patients.
Lucas, who has been active his whole life, is taking on the challenge to better appreciate his ability to move.
“There will be one day that we won’t be able to do stuff we want to do…so if someone asks why I do this, my response is, one day we’re not going to be able to,” he said.
“It’s inspired me to not only find out what I’m capable of, but do it for the people who can’t.”
The 27-month timeline of the project was chosen to reflect the average life expectancy of somebody diagnosed with the disease.
Inspiration, Ironman Preparation, and Community Support
Lucas said that Neale Daniher, former AFL player and coach, who was diagnosed with MND 13 years before he passed away in May this year, was one of his biggest inspirations.
“Just the way he kept showing up and not really letting it affect him, it’s been really inspiring,” he said.
“There will be days that I don’t feel like doing stuff, and if things are getting hard, I just need to remember what I’m doing it for.”
Before choosing to undertake an Ironman, Lucas completed multiple endurance sport races, including the Sunshine Coast 70.3 – consisting of a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike and a 21.1km run – in four hours and 41 minutes.
Now, he aims to complete a full Ironman, which is double the length of the 70.3 race, in under nine hours.
To prepare, Lucas is training for nearly 20 hours a week, moving around 500 km across the three phases of the race.
When asked what keeps him going, he said the local area and community gave him the extra motivation he needed.
“You have the waterfront, which is an amazing spot for running, you also have the Sandgate pool…and you’ve got amazing roads and streets that are out your front door,” he said.
“You’ve also got just an amazing community around it as well, there’s not really a time you go out for a run or a ride or a swim where you don’t run into anyone.
“Seeing someone when you’re in a session and it’s pretty hard, it picks you up a bit, and it’s a very welcoming and enjoyable community to train with.”
Lucas is documenting the entire journey on his Instagram page @lucasskent.
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