Ultra tough – just like our Diggers

SAM Weir is nervous – and it’s no wonder.

The 24-year-old Currumbin runner is getting ready to race a 453km ultra-marathon that will take him more than two days to complete.

That’s more than 10 marathons and nearly the distance from the Gold Coast to Port Macquarie.

Although he has completed several ultra-marathons before, Mr Weir admitted he was nervous for the first time.

“It has hit me that this is longer than any race I’ve ever done before,” he said.

“I won’t be sleeping, so hopefully I can finish in under 60 hours.”

Dubbed the Anzac Ultra, the race will take Mr Weir and his fellow competitors through the southern loop of the Canberra Centenary Trail from April 6.

Mr Weir said runners would show their respect and honour the lives of the men and women in the defence service.

“To be able to complete this, I’ve been running a lot more and getting used to being alone during the night,” he said.

“I’ve also been soaking my feet in methylated spirits to avoid blisters because it dries up your feet and closes up your pores.

“I’ll also be wearing toe socks ... they look goofy but they work.”

Last year, Mr Weir walked the Kokoda Trail with two friends and raised $8000 for Legacy.

“Having walked in the footsteps of our fallen soldiers, it’s an honour to support Legacy,” he said.

“The run itself is all about the journey and seeing how far the body can be pushed, physically and mentally.

“I am really looking for- ward to the mental game and once again pushing the body to absolute limits to find out more about what the human body and soul is capable of.”

Mr Weir will have a support team during the event, including a nutritionist.

“To be honest, I won’t be thinking about anything ... I just keep going,” he said. “It works for me.” Bond University exercise psychology professor Dr Clive Jones said long races were a way to escape stress.

“It can be quite relaxing,” Dr Jones said.

“The intensity is not as high, so your body gets into a rhythm.

“But you need to train a lot to be ready (to undertake) such an event.”