Fourteen-year-old Mitchell Jones ran a full marathon (42.2km) during the Salvation Army North East Youth Services 'Miles From Home' event at 2026's Under the Same Stars youth homelessness fundraiser.
Beaming with pride, Shepparton dad Nathan Jones said his teenage son, Mitchell Jones, had just achieved something a lot of people won’t achieve in a lifetime.
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“I can’t describe the effort... and he’s done it at 14,” he said.
“Today, Mitch ran 42.2km, he is now a marathon runner, unbelievable.
“He is among 0.13 of the population to complete a marathon this year.”
Mitchell, however, did not set out to achieve such a feat when he woke up on April 15.
But joining other members of his family for a lap around the 1km Miles From Home course at Deakin Reserve, as part of The Salvation Army North East Youth Services Under The Same Stars youth homelessness fundraiser, he became more and more motivated with every step.
“Today was a nothing day. We turned up to support a couple mates doing something ridiculous; running 180km in support of the homeless in our community,” Mr Jones said.
“Mitch dragged himself to do one lap of the course. One lap turned into three, which turned into 10km, then 23km.”
Mitchell Jones with his dad Nathan Jones at the Under the Same Stars sleepout event where Mitchell unexpectedly completed a full 42.2km marathon during the Miles From Home running event held in conjunction.
Mr Jones said after a short break for dinner, he encouraged Mitchell to get back out there and see how far he could go.
“He pushed through some mental and physical battles along the journey but he did it,” he said.
“He was certainly proud of himself by the end,” Mr Jones said.
“He was hurting a little, which is no surprise; I don’t even think he’s ran a full fun run event (2km) at school.”
Mr Jones said the “huge effort” blew him away.
“There were other runners there who were absolutely incredible also,” he said.
“Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino were the headline act for Under the Same Stars, but in my eyes, Mitch stole some limelight.”
Not only did Mitchell capture a mammoth milestone, he had also raised $612 toward the cause by noon on April 16.
To donate to the event via Mitchell’s fundraising page, click here.
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