Running 100 Miles for Stroke Foundation: Turning Adversity into Action
On 12th April 2025 I’ll be running in the Running Wild Alpine Challenge 100 Mile race, this date will also be marking a significant milestone: the 10-year anniversary of a rare spinal stroke that changed my life at 23 while holidaying in Germany. I lost mobility and feeling on my left side and spent nine days in a hospital learning to walk again.
Determined and stubborn, I embarked on self-rehabilitation, painstakingly reteaching my left side by mirroring movements from my right, driven by my goal to return to running and skiing. That mental strength meant that within six weeks, I achieved a 10-kilometer run (albeit slow and with a slight limp) and returned to full capacity skiing within 2 months.
Since then, I've earned my instructing certifications and completed multiple ultramarathons. Now, I'm gearing up for the ultimate challenge: 100 miles.
The 100-mile course begins at Falls Creek and will take me through a challenging route, ascending Mount Bogong, traversing the breathtaking high plains to Mount Hotham, descending into Harrietville, and finally returning to Falls Creek via Mount Feathertop. I anticipate completing this journey in approximately 35 hours. My two older brothers have graciously (though perhaps with a bit of gentle persuasion from their determined younger sister) agreed to pace me on certain sections throughout the challenge, despite not being avid runners themselves (yet).
I'm participating in this race series to raise funds for the Stroke Foundation, supporting recovery efforts and inspiring individuals to reclaim their passions.
Your support will make a tangible difference in the lives of stroke survivors and their families. Together, let's show that with resilience and determination, anything is possible.
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Thank you to my Sponsors
$1.56k
Raffle Night (august)
$1.1k
Anonymous
Raffle money
$880
Nichole Mckilliam
Summer Raffle night donations pn Ignition Weekend. What an epic night and amazing support again from the local community.
$665
Nichole Mckilliam
Raffle Night Donations
$620
Anonymous
Raffle auction :)
$550
Elena Stevens
Hi Nik Nok. Lisa told us about your run. David was with me. He distributes brochures for Elena. He has donated his $ 70. All his income. So we added ours to make you get to 10000. Have a great run.
$500
Stuart Smythe
huge effort...well played
$316.50
Nozomi Langtry
$312.90
Rob And Rosie Mckilliam
Awesome effort Nik. An inspiration to many people.
$260.75
Liza Mckilliam
Go Nikki
$250
Bakers Delight Lavington
Wishing you all the very best for your run! You go girl!!
$208.60
Stuart Otto
Good luck 😉
$208.60
Noreen Prosser
$200
Attunga Alpine Lodge
Good luck Nik NOK. We are all behind you.
$144.54
Anonymous
$141.25
Anonymous
$128.71
Andrew Peppard
Superstar
$106.12
Frank & Mary Jo O’brien
$106.12
Pip, Robby, Maddy And Emily
Go Aunty Nik Nok!!
$106.12
Pip & Ryan
Has been incredible to watch your journey Nik, go smash it legend 💪💪
$106.12
Mountain Monk Brewers
Best of luck 🤞
$106.12
Elithia Henson
Super proud of your journey it’s so inspirational xx
$106.12
Adrian
Alpine challenge is going to be epic!
$106.12
Georgie Macintosh
$105.50
Rob Mckilliam
Good girl. Go for it Niks. ❤️
$105.50
Danny Foster
$100
Sandra Perham
Amazing
$100
Emily & Lee - Mountain Gym
You go girl! So proud of you for all that you've achieved so far, all that you are currently aiming to achieve and all the future achievements to be celebrated! 👏 Keep up your awesome training efforts, we're cheering for you every step of the way. Woooooooo!!!
$100
Lisa
Keep on running. Keep on being inspirational. Keep on being resilient. Keep on being awesome.
$100
Robby Mckilliam
$90
Bodyworx Functional Therapies
Massage donation money - from Bodyworx functional Therapies in Mt Beauty
$80.25
Petr
Good luck Nik Nok
$80.25
Lara Ulasowski
Go NikNok!!!!! Amazing lady & champion !!! ❤️❤️❤️💕 Love, Larz xxx
$67.82
Steve Schoffelen
Best of luck to you Nik Nok! Hope you make it through safely and have a wonderful adventure! What a massive undertaking, you’re already a winner in my book. Well done!
$54.12
Ashlee Cawood
$54.12
Taehun Kim
$54.12
Mimi Bennett
Go girl your doing an amazing job! 👏
$54.12
Nicola
Go Nik Nok!! So inspired by you xx
$54.12
Mel Stewart
You’re amazing! Wishing you all the best for your run, go smash it!!
$54.12
Falls Creek Accom
Hiya you legend! How you have made it through this summer with all of your training and some woman constantly requesting your help, I’ll never know!! Well done already!!!
$54.12
Britta Weller
Keep smashing your goals!
$54.12
Red Onion Ski Chalet
I'm in awe of your resilience and determination. May your feet fly, and you will achive your goal.
$54.12
Kelly Mckinlay
I know you'll totally kill this... and smile the whole time
$54.12
Jack Langedyk
Good luck Nic Noc . Well done and have a great run
$54.12
Leah Breen
Go Nik Nok
$54.12
Christa Smit
$54.12
Vaughan Clarkson
$54.12
Tuyen Phuong
$52.92
Anonymous
$52.75
Karl Nowakowski
Best of luck and thank you for raising money for a good cause.
$52.75
Liza Mckilliam
$52.75
David, Simone & Thomas
Good luck. Enjoy the beer afterwards
$52.75
Robyn Pike
$52.75
Karl Nowakowski
$52.75
Leanne Bower
Legendary and inspirational story Nik Nok, I know you will smash this run. Go girl!
$52.75
Brian Mckay
Hi Nik Nok, yes I would like to purchase 6 tickets please. Have a great evening😀
$52.75
Chrys Wakefield
Hi Nik Nok - can I have 6 tickets please. Donated $50
$52.75
Britt
Nik Nok the energiser bunny that never stops! You are an inspiration!
$52.75
Nick Rankin
$52.75
Cloudia Lewis
Thank you for telling your story! So happy to support your Run! Lots of love, Adam and Cloudy 🥰
$52.75
Jules
You're amazing Nik Nok. An absolute force of nature. I'm so proud of everything you've been doing ❤️
$50
John Forsyth
Hi again! We met at sunrise on the summit of Mount Mckay! Wishing you all the very best for the 100 mile challenge! That truly is an epic run and I know you can do it!! Have fun in those mountains and enjoy the journey.
$50
Andy Mckilliam
$50
Leanne Hull
$50
Elise Marcianti
LETS GO NIK NOK !!!! What an incredible and inspiring human you are
$50
Danny Foster
So impressive Nik Nok! Massive props on the training to get to this point and all the effort put into fundraising over the last year+.
$43.60
Owen & Michelle Da
$37.49
Jessica Nelson-jones
You've done all the training! Now enjoy that crazy ass long run!
$22.58
Danielle Brooke
You can do it NikNok xxx
$22.58
Kate Jardine
Supporting you, I am a friend of Robbie's, what a powerful way to mark your ten years since what I imagine was a gruelling recovery
$21.10
Karl Nowakowski
Your a legend!
$21.10
Anonymous
$21.10
Major thanks to all those who donated at the Attunga Raffle Night.