No doubt Jed’s in it for the long run

A LOVE of running and a motivation to bring attention to mental health issues will this month see a Launceston man run the equivalent of almost five marathons in two days.

Jed Matthews will complete the 200km journey on December 21 and 22 in the quest to raise $5000 for Tasmanian mental health charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. Mr Matthews, who won this year’s Launceston Marathon, will set off at 6am on day one, aiming to run 130km that day before tackling the remainder after a short sleep.

The 21-year-old said after suffering from his own mental health issues, he wanted to do something tangible to make a difference.

“I know full well there are plenty of other youth going through what I went through a few years ago,’’ he said.

“I’m keen to see a society where people can speak openly about their battles and they don’t just need to go through it themselves.”

Mr Matthews said he gained inspiration from mental health advocate Ben Hirst, who recently ran one lap of a Hobart oval for each of the 2348 men who were lost to suicide in Australia in 2017.

Mr Matthews said he had a passion for running and ran his first marathon in Melbourne in 2017.

He said he had been training keenly, yet carefully, in the lead-up to the big run so as not to overload or injure himself.

Mr Matthews will have a brotherly support crew — with Paul, Stephen (who won last year’s Launceston Marathon) and David helping him throughout the journey.

To donate, visit Mr Matthews’ fundraising page.