The tractors supported runners, raising awareness and money to combat Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The debilitating disease causes changes in the sufferer’s brain tissue, which affects muscle coordination, thinking, and memory and eventually leads to death.
There is no cure at this stage, though recent medical trials are set to begin in the hope of one day slowing or halving the disease.
Run organiser Dan Tehan, also the Federal MP for the electorate of Wannon, said the run began from the parliament house in Canberra and will finish in Warrnambool.
For Mr Tehan, the run and the fight are incredibly personal.
“My mother died from CJD, and two of the other runners lost fathers to CJD,” he said.
“All of us taking part in this run have lost family members or friends to this cruel disease, and that’s why we are helping to raise money and awareness to break down the stigma.”
Mr Tehan has said that community support throughout the entire run has been astonishing.
“Local support has been absolutely wonderful, and to get a vintage tractor escort from Barooga to Cobram was very humbling and is a great example of the wonderful support we have been getting.”
The group has also received a donation from Cobram Panel Works.
The group hopes to raise $50,000 and has hit $43,000 so far.
Mr Tehan said the public support he and his fellow runners have received has been inspiring.
“Thank you to everyone who has waved to us, tooted their horns, or have given us a donation; it is greatly appreciated,” he said.
To donate to the run, there is a Gofund Me page. Please see the following link: www.gofundme.com/f/run-for-cjd-from-canberra-to-warrnambool-950km/
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