Running for more than bragging rights

Forty Army Personnel Support Unit (APSU) members from every state and territory covered more than 6000km during Run Against Violence, earning national bragging rights and a $750 donation to Wounded Heroes.

Sore legs and lunchtime kilometres propelled the APSU teams across a virtual finish line from Broken Hill to Sydney ahead of schedule.

The HQ/ACT team completed the Run Against Violence challenge in 16 of the allocated 19 days, becoming the first Australian team of 10 or fewer people to finish.

The achievement secured line honours in the Pacemakers category and the opportunity to direct a $750 donation through the organiser’s Chase It Forward initiative to Wounded Heroes – chosen for its Defence focus and support for serving members, veterans and their families, including those affected by family and domestic violence.

RSM APSU WO1 Benjamen Brown and Cpl Ammon Cooper led from the front for their teams, walking and running more than 350km each.

Cpl Cooper, who was the first APSU participant to reach the individual milestones of 200km and 300km, took line honours in the closing hours of the event, edging out the RSM to be crowned the APSU victor.

His usual training focuses on gym work and jiu-jitsu rather than running, but he changed his daily routine to accommodate the accumulating kilometres.

“We spent our morning PT sessions walking or running, either individually or as a team,” Cpl Cooper said.

“I also walked to work, completed laps during PT and lunch, and walked home at the end of the day. I found opportunities to add kilometres wherever I could.”

At Gallipoli Barracks, members used the running track and regular routes around the base to increase their distances.

The friendly rivalry intensified as Cpl Cooper and WO1 Brown approached their individual milestones.

“When I realised the RSM was catching up, my competitive side took over and I decided I needed to reach 200km first,” Cpl Cooper said.

“I managed to get there about 30 minutes ahead of him and made sure I took a screenshot of the leaderboard. When we were neck and neck again approaching 300km, I knew I had to go for it.”

In Canberra, HQ/ACT members added to the total through lunchtime walks and runs, helping the team maintain momentum towards Sydney.

WO1 Brown said every contribution mattered.

“There were some sore legs in some ageing bodies by the end, but people kept encouraging each other and finding opportunities to add kilometres,” WO1 Brown said.

“Crossing the finish line first gave HQ/ACT some bragging rights, but having 40 APSU members involved was the real achievement.”

Run Against Violence formed part of APSU’s annual detachment competition, which enables personnel in geographically dispersed locations to connect through friendly competition.

CO APSU Lt-Col Melissa Joy said the activity also encouraged members to focus on their own welfare.

“APSU’s mission is to provide welfare support to the wider Army, but this activity gave us an opportunity to turn some of that focus inwards,” Lt-Col Joy said.

“It encouraged our people to step away from their desks and look after their wellbeing, connect with colleagues and support an important cause, while contributing to a common goal.”

The activity took place during APSU’s first year as Army’s welfare unit, following its transition from Army’s administrative unit in January.

Run Against Violence uses virtual team challenges to raise awareness of family violence and encourage conversations about prevention.

The challenge may have ended with sore legs at the virtual finish line in Sydney, but APSU’s kilometres will continue to make a difference through Wounded Heroes.