Hi.  My name is Simon Borg and I live in regional Victoria.  In 2015, I am running 12 marathons to try and help raise awareness of autism.  By taking on this challenge, I also hope to raise as much money as I can for Amaze.  My motivation for this, is my nephew Matthew and his family.  Matthew is 8, and at an early age was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum.  None of us really understood what that meant at the time, but we all had a feeling that life wouldn't be the same from then on. 
At an early age, as Matthew barely made eye contact with anyone, struggled to communicate and make sense of the world around him, our interactions with him were, at times, confusing, frustrating, and heart breaking.  None of us had had any experience with autism, or knew anyone that did.  That is when we came across the organisation, Amaze(Autism Victoria).  Amaze were able to help us understand what we were facing and what we could do to help.  As our knowledge and understanding of autism grew, and we were made more aware of the resources and assistance available, so too did Matthews development continue to improve.   Amaze were able to assist with education, finance, provide information on therapies, resources and support networks.  In short, Amaze empowered our family with the knowledge and tools to best help Matthew and those around him confront, overcome, and even embrace, the associated challenges ahead.  Families like ours would be at a loss without organisations like Amaze. 
And that is my motivation for taking up this challenge.  I will be running 12 marathons this year for those families affected by autism that feel like they're running a marathon every day.  That is why I am supporting Amaze, and am calling on others to help support their local autism organisation.  To help provide kids like Matthew with the tools they need to reach their full potential!

 

2015 is going to be a BIG year!  To say that running 12 marathons in a year is a challenge, is an understatement.  Please offer your support where you can, whether that be in the form of donations, sponsorship, running with me, or even coming down to the course and saying g'day on my way past.  The following is the list of marathons I'll be running in this year.

 

22nd Feb - Wangaratta Marathon.....  COMPLETED!  36 deg day!  First one down....

12th Apr - Canberra Marathon.....  COMPLETED!  Only 10 to go....

17th May - Great Ocean Road Marathon....  COMPLETED!  Stunning course.  That's 3!

21st Jun - Traralgon Marathon....  COMPLETED!  Hobbled my way through with what was later found to be a knee sprain :S  FOUR!

19th Jul - Sri Chinmoy Winter Running Festival Marathon, Melbourne....  COMPLETED!  Body holding together.... thanks to tape : )  ...almost halfway!

 

16th Aug - Wagga Trail Marathon... ran a third of it and pulled out due to illness.  Still stranded on 5 marathons :(

30th Aug - Shepparton Marathon....COMPLETED! Thank you Matty for running the last 100m with me!  Life memory :D  ...Shep makes 6

 

6th Sep - Dubbo Marathon... COMPLETED!  Thanks Brendan for getting me to the start, and the end!  7 marathons completed.  I am shaking my head!

18th Oct - Melbourne Marathon...COMPLETED!  Finished with a lap of the MCG :)   Amazing!  That's 8...

8th Nov - Marysville Marathon...  COMPLETED...JUST!  The hardest thing I've ever done physically.... Those hills....  9 down!

 

31 Dec - NYE Rock around the Clock at the You Yangs... succumbed to feet and back injuries :(

 

24th Jan - Australia Day marathon at the You Yangs... COMPLETED!!  Back pain giving me heaps right from the first step.  But I made it :)

 

12th Feb - Miles4Matty Strathy-Shepp.... DNF.  Had to retire only a 1/4 of the way through due to back pain.

 

So that's 10 marathons in 12 months while I recover from a back injury.  But we're not done yet!  Even though the 12 months are up, there are still 2 more marathons to complete!  It's just going to take a little extra time.... stay tuned!

 

For photos, updates, and to follow my progress throughout the year, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/SimonBorg12Marathonsin2015forAmaze

 

Please like and share the Run4Autism facebook page to get more people raising awareness Australia wide. (https://www.facebook.com/Run4Autism)

 

1 in 100 Australians are diagnosed with ASD, affecting their communication and social skills and how they cope with the world. Your support and money will change the lives of these kids and their families.

 

Please help me make a difference with a secure online donation, big or small: just click on Donate Now. A tax deductible receipt will be issued immediately.

 

Thank you for supporting me.

 

 

Run4Autism T-Shirts and Singlet tops

These items are available for purchase from: http://www.titanperformancegroup.com.au/our-brands/browse/run4autism