For most people, the idea of running an entire marathon is a daunting prospect confined to only the fittest of athletes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Andrew Biszczak one marathon is not enough. He's running five a week for four months in an attempt to run more than 3000 kilometres from Victor Harbour in South Australia to Brisbane.
His journey entitled the Million Dollar Run, which will see him arrive in the nation's capital on Sunday, is aiming to raise awareness as well as $1 million for the rare disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.
People with the genetic disorder are born with fragile skin, with sufferers living with severe blisters not only all over their body but also internally in places such as the stomach and bladder.
The blisters can often become infected and can develop spontaneously or simply by touch.
"They're often like third-degree burn victims and are often covered in bandages to protect their skin," Mr Biszczak said.
"They also often have to endure baths in bleach and salt to clear out the wounds every day. The skin can be as fragile as a butterfly's wing.
"It's the cruelest of diseases."
Mr Biszczak's decision to take up the 3000 kilometre run came after a chance encounter with an EB sufferer at his business in 2012.
"Five years ago, a woman called Kate Turner walked into our business, and that was the first time I had met someone with EB," he said.
"It's an extremely confronting disease. It eats away at the fingers and toes, and at 23, she had stumps for hands."
It was after Kate's funeral two years ago that Mr Biszczak came up with the fundraising idea of running from Victor Harbour, Kate's home town, to Brisbane.
Since then, he has been training and preparing for the Million Dollar Run, selling his family home to help fund the journey after he failed to get corporate sponsorship.
"Three years ago, I was not a runner at all. I was 30 kilograms heavier and I had not done any long-distance running, and I had to put in lots of training," he said.
"Me and my family made a decision to self-fund this trip and we did that by selling the house and everything we owned and put it all into this."
His wife and nine-year-old son have also joined the marathon runner on the journey, helping to tow the family's caravan during the trek.
Mr Biszczak said while the marathon running could often be a lonely and challenging experience, being reminded of what sufferers were living with enabled him to push on.
"My motivation is always to the children and the pain that they experience and I can't compare that to my sore legs at all," he said.
The marathon runner will spend the next four days recovering in Canberra before he sets off towards Brisbane on Friday.
His route will take him past Goulburn and Wollongong and into Sydney, before continuing up the east coast.
He is expected to reach Brisbane and complete his 3000 kilometre journey on August 11.
To follow Andrew's journey or to donate: themilliondollarrun.com.au
