My name is Andrew Kantor and I am a physiotherapist at South Melbourne Physiotherapy Clinic.
My involvement with Run for a Safe Climate was to provide physiotherapy support and injury management for the first 2 weeks from Cooktown to Sydney.
Planning for the run commenced 3 months prior and involved screening some of the runners for biomechanical issues that could potentially create injuries with the volume of running that was going to be undertaken.
An exhaustive first aid kit was required to cover blisters, cuts, sprained ankles, sunburn, insect and snake bites and well as a broad spectrum of safety equipment.
The days were extremely long with most starting bright and early at 6 am with formalities not finishing until around 9pm.
Trying to fit in taping, massage and injury advice amongst the seemingly endless number of kilometres spent driving and road running became pretty challenging.
Heading into the run I knew my role as a physio and that I would have my work ‘cut out’ for me but as for the climate I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
I can honestly say I didn’t expect to come away with such a wealth of knowledge ranging from local environmental issues facing the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree and Murray-Darling system to solution based renewable energy options.
The enduring memories will be of long days (and nights), teamwork, mateship, fun times but an overwhelming sense that we have the resources at our disposal to start making a real and significant change.
To lend your support behind the runners, you can make a donation on the Sponsor section of the website.
Happy running and see you on Sunday in St Kilda!