Kurt Northausen’s odometer has clocked up 420km, and his GoFundMe has cracked five figures after completing his 20km for 20 days challenge.

Despite an accidental miscount giving him an extra day of running, Mr Northausen was in good spirits 21 consecutive days of running later.

“It was really good; it was definitely an experience, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I had a good community around me because I only ran by myself three times.

“Of the 21 days, I had nearly someone at least with me every day.”

Mr Northausen was inspired by his cause — raising money for Cancer Council and Echuca Regional Health Cancer and Wellness Centre — to get out of bed each morning, even in the rain and cold.

“It’s just something I really want to push for my family to see, hard things can be done,” he said.

“When times get tough, just get up, keep moving forward.

“I wouldn’t say there were any days where I didn’t want to get up because I had people relying on me.

“I had so many people actually coming out and helping me get out of bed.”

Across the three weeks, the Tongala local covered Campaspe Shire and the Goulburn Valley, even checking out the Waranga Rail Trail and participating in the Shepparton Running Festival half-marathon.

Day 14 was a particularly special day for Mr Northausen, with his friends Tom and Rachel from RIOT gym and Burnt Butter café in Kyabram stepping in to support.

“(Burnt Butter) especially opened on a Sunday for us to come and finish there,” he said.

“They donated a portion of every coffee that was sold, and they did a coin flip ... to determine whether it was a portion or 100 per cent of it.”

The final day, despite being a miscalculation, was also one for the books.

Mr Northausen was joined by dozens of other runners to complete the journey, ending the 420km feat at the very place he started it for.

“We had probably 25 or 30 runners and riders come out (to ERH Cancer and Wellness Centre),” he said.

“The whole lap it was just good to have everyone standing around, running around, talking, everyone was at different paces.

“Seeing everyone as I went across the finish line, it was a really cool experience to know that something that I had done brought so many people together.”

Crossing the finish line, Mr Northausen had raised $13,000 for Cancer Council and the ERH Cancer and Wellness Centre.

As of Thursday, September 11, the total was sitting at $14,800.

The GoFundMe is still open for donations, accessible at gofund.me/dfe8d8cc

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Saturday, 26th November 2022

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