AFTER covering almost 1000 kilometres, over two states and one territory, a weary group of eleven south-west Victorian runners arrived at their Warrnambool destination on Tuesday.

The group had just completed the inaugural Run for CJD awareness from Canberra to Warrnambool and had raised over $50,000 to fight Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD).

CJD is a rare and serious disease that causes the brain to degenerate, leading to dementia and death. In Australia, around one person out of a million will develop CJD each year.

After leaving Canberra on Saturday, October 7, the group passed through Yass, Wagga Wagga, Berrigan, Echuca, Bridgewater, Beaufort, Lexton, and Mortlake on their way to Warrnambool.

Wannon MP Dan Tehan, who was one of the 11 runners, said he was tired but proud of the team’s achievement.

“It was an incredible experience to run through so many different parts of Australia and have the time to reflect on why we were running,” Mr Tehan said.

“Loss caused by CJD had touched every runner, so I think we all feel a sense of achievement to finish the run and raise much-needed money.

“My mother passed away due to CJD, and I think she would have enjoyed this experience.

“On behalf of the Run for CJD awareness team, I want to thank everyone who donated to the cause or beeped their horn and said hello as we ran – it all helped.

“Right now, I’m looking forward to a long bath and resting my feet.”

There’s still time to donate on the Run for CJD awareness GoFundMe page at gofund.me/2816050a