Run Sal Run

Follow determined mum of three, Sal Powell as she conquers the 2024 ‘Race the Planet’ 5 desert ultramarathon series to become the first Australian to complete the challenge.

“To dream anything you want to dream - that is the beauty of the human mind.

To do anything you want to do - that is the strength of the human will.

To trust yourself to test your limits - that is the courage to succeed.”

Sal is prepared to conquer the world, one desert at a time, all in support of the Nerve Connection Foundation.

ABOUT SAL POWELL

My life story so far is not dissimilar to thousands of other midlife women who have dedicated decades to supporting the people they love. The privilege of being a full time Mum to three amazing kids is not lost on me and while I feel simultaneously grateful for the life I’ve had, I’m also engulfed by a yearning for more.

While tradition might suggest that I should be winding down not up, at 54, I feel like I am just hitting my straps. I feel wiser and more driven to rediscover my wild heart and adventurous spirit and like so many other midlife women, I feel plagued by a persistent whisper that says, “there must be more to life than this.” But more of what?

My quest to uncover this ‘moreness’ that I was missing led me to rediscover my love for running and in 2014, I decided to run a marathon. At the time, I thought I only had one in me, so it had better be a big one! The big apple beckoned and with the support of my family and friends I achieved my dream and in doing so, rekindled my love of running. Since then, I’ve completed the six major marathons of the world… so now what? After 25 years of espousing nuggets of wisdom to my kids, like “follow your dreams”, “never be afraid to give things a go”, “you learn more from failure than success” … I decided that actions speak louder than words and it was time to show others what it looks like to live bravely and have the courage to go after what makes me feel truly alive.

I became aware of an event called Racing The Planet and the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series, which is widely recognised as the most prestigious outdoor footrace series in the world. The series consists of the Namib Race (Namibia), the Gobi March (Mongolia), the Atacama Crossing (Chile) and The Last Desert (Antarctica). 2024 includes a 5th Desert being Jordan. Competitors in the races traverse 250 kilometres in seven days over rough country terrain with only a place in a tent and water provided. You can read more about it here.

The story of its making and those involved in it becoming one of the toughest endurance events in the world, sparked something inside me. Currently only 18 people have completed the Grand Slam Plus, only three of whom are women and none are Australian! Am I capable of doing this? My inner critic has been hard at work trying to convince me otherwise, but I am determined to prove ‘her’ wrong. I have entered the Gobi event this year with the goal of completing the Grand Slam series to become Australia’s only individual to complete the Racing The Planet Grand Slam Plus.

There’s more to my motivation than you think. I will be doing what patients with neurodegenerative disease can’t even contemplate undertaking. As part of this process, I am supporting the incredible work done by Nerve Connection Foundation. This organisation raises funds for research into the orphan diseases – a bundle of rare neuromuscular conditions that lead to muscle weakness, disability and death. With a background in health and the ability to use my mind and muscles to help others, this Foundation is the perfect alignment for me.

How you can support Sal & Nerve Connection Foundation

Nerve Connection Foundation (NCF) was established in 2021 to connect people, rare neurological diseases, research and clinical trials. The aim of the organisation is to fund research and clinical trials into nerve and muscle diseases for which there are no cures or effective therapies. Supporters of Sal would be familiar with motor neuron disease, however it is only one of a bundle of similarly devastating diseases that need to be tackled.

Many of Sal’s followers will know of the founder of the organisation, Brisbane neurologist Dr Robert Henderson. Also a keen runner, Rob has devoted his career to patient care and researchinto medicine’s last frontier, diseases of the brain and nerves.

Your support, on the back of Sal’s initiative and drive can help NCF reach its goals of:

• Doubling its Fellowship funding by 2025. This will give young, enthusiastic neurology researchers greater opportunities to work towards desperately needed treatment breakthroughs.
  
• •Injecting grant funding directly into an international phase three trial into diseases of the nerve and muscle.
  
• Providing financial and logistical support to rural and regional patients to allow them to travel to Brisbane for clinical trials.
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As a connection of Sal’s, you can make a real impact by donating here (please add Run Sal Runto the comments section).

* Nerve Connection Foundation Limited ABN 91 653 082 930 is a public company limited by guarantee. It is registered with the Australian Charity and Not-for-profit Commission and in each Australian state and territory. The Foundation holds deductible gift recipient status and charity tax concessions from the Australian Taxation Office.