When Mark lost a close friend to melanoma he responded the only way he knew how - a gruelling challenge to raise funds for cancer research and honour his mate’s memory.
Mark, a coach at The University of Queensland and veteran of more than 300 triathlons, was devastated when his friend and budding triathlete Adam Smiddy lost his battle against an aggressive melanoma in August 2006 aged only 26.
Born from the grief was the Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge - a 1600 kilometre ride from Brisbane to Home Hill over eight days.
“Adam and I often talked about doing a credit card ride, just cycling off in one direction for a few days with nothing but a credit card,” Mark recalled.
“The Smiling for Smiddy Challenge was established to realise that dream. The annual Challenge is a true test of mind and body. 1,600 kilometres in eight days is more than the Tour de France asks of its riders over the same length of time,” he said.
The Smiddy Challenge has achieved phenomenal success in short time. Three riders raised $25,000 in its inaugural year in 2006, which grew to 22 riders raising $192,000 in 2007. Last year 50 riders raised $419,000!
On Saturday 5 September 2009, 50 riders, plus ten support crew departed Brisbane to tackle a charity bike challenge over eight days of gruelling riding covering 1600 kilometres, without any rest days - arriving in Home Hill on Saturday, 12 September.
Challenge Director Mark said the ride was much more than eight days on the road.
“Each and everyone involved with the Smiddy Challenge was taken to their limits, physically and mentally, but were able to push on knowing why they were out there.
“The commitment this group made to raising funds for cancer research, in memory of our mate Adam Smiddy, has been remarkable.” Mark said.
“Knowing the ride honours Adam’s memory makes even the toughest times on the bike worthwhile. We will be able to think of him and smile.”
Funds from the challenge will support melanoma and prostate cancer research at the Mater, as well as an investigation into complementary therapies for cancer patients.
For more information visit the Smiling for Smiddy website or watch Smiddy videos on YouTube.