Man runs 303km in three days in the outback to raise money for mental health
A man has run 303 kilometres over three days across some of Australia's harshest terrain to help men struggling with mental health in the bush.
Warning: Readers are advised that this story contains references to suicide.
After months of preparation, Travis McElligott, 32, ran from Mount Isa to Gregory over the Labour Day long weekend in Queensland, with a team of passionate locals helping him raise more than $25,000.
The gruelling outback conditions — mouthfuls of flies, dust in the lungs, and a few run-ins with nature — were never going to stop Mr McElligott from getting his message out.
Travis McElligott at the finish line, ready to rest and celebrate.
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ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
"We've lost some people close to us and I see a lot of people that that have lost friends," said Mr McElligott, who lives in Mount Isa.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line
"I decided to get off my arse and run 300 kilometres to raise awareness and a bit of money for mental health."
Mr McElligott was joined by others on and off over the long three days.
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ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
'Something has got to change'
It's a sentiment shared by others in outback Queensland including Tony "Tonka" Toholke, the founder of Mount Isa's International Men's Day.
He became an advocate in the community after his own battle with mental health.
Mr McElligott and Tony Toholke took time for a selfie before the run began.
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ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
And although mental health awareness is improving, he's concerned it is still too hard for people to get help and too many people are dying as a result.
"I was talking to a guy here the other day, he said, 'I would like to see a psychiatrist or psychologist' — it's a two-month wait and it's a $250 fee … something's got to change."
Mr McElligott and his support team the morning before they set off.
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ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
Lifeline Australia statistics show people in rural areas are two times more likely to take their life by suicide, and 75 per cent of the people who do are male.
"I know about 30 blokes in my circle that struggle," Mr Toholke said.
"I text them to check in on them, and every second week they come to my house, and we talk sh*t."
Until professional services become easier to access, Mr Toholke said remote and regional locations like Mount Isa had to come up with "small, community-based solutions".
Several support vehicles flanked Mr McElligott, ready to deliver food and water.
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ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
He said the funds Mr McElligott's efforts had raised would go toward helping men access support services.
"We'll give them a bit of money to go to programs and get some help, because obviously, help is great to have, but it's also very expensive," Mr Toholke said.
Getting the message out
Mr McElligott back up his three-day run with the legendary Gregory River Canoe Marathon the following day.
The gruelling feat took a toll.
"I didn't think it was going to be that hard, but the end of day two was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life," he said.
Mr McElligott and his support crew camped overnight on the side of the road leading to Gregory.
(
Supplied: Ashley King
)
Mr McElligott said it was worth it if it saved lives and there was "no chance" he wouldn't finish.
"My support crew, they were like, 'If you wanna tap out, we'll drag you across the line,'" he said.
"I couldn't have done it without the team."
The beers, cheers and hugs were flowing when Mr McElligott finished his run.
(
ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
His outback endeavour was not the first time he had strapped on sneakers for mental health.
Last year he ran for 24 hours up and down Telstra Hill on Mount Isa's outskirts.
Mr McElligott, his wife Rachael and their newborn Laney Rae, after the race.
(
ABC North West Qld: Maddie Nixon
)
This year he decided to go bigger, hoping to get his message out and save lives.
"By doing this run, if we can help somebody out, we've done our job,"
he said.
"If you're thinking of somebody that might be struggling, pick up the phone, have a chat with them, because you could actually save their life."
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"It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? 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"It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? 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