Around Australia in 42 ks

Shayne runs for Walking Off The War Within, a movement started in memory of CFA firefighter Nathan Shanahan, a fierce advocate of ending the stigma associated with mental health. Sadly Nathan lost his own battle with PTSD in 2016.

Shayne's final challenge for the year takes him back to where his love of marathons and support of Walking Off The War Within started: the Melbourne Marathon. It will be his eighth marathon for the year.

A firefighter for 12 years, Shayne says those people working and volunteering in the emergency services need to make their mental health a priority.

He believes he is providing a good example for his young sons by speaking up and showing his support for organisations like Walking Off The War Within.

"We need to keep talking about our mental health. The more people who speak up and share their stories, the more it will become effortless and part of our everyday conversations," Shayne said.

"There is so much support and information available to us now to help us learn about our own mental health and the signs we need to look out for in ourselves and others."

Shayne said he loved the challenge of running marathons and using that personal motivation to raise funds and awareness for such an important cause.

"With the completion of the Melbourne Marathon on October 13 I will reach my goal of running a marathon in every state and territory in 2019 for Walking Off The War Within," Shayne said.

"Two weeks ago I ran the Sydney Marathon alongside a mate from Northern Territory Fire and Rescue, David Quan, who I met at the Outback Marathon in July.

"That was the first of three marathons over a five-week period. Hopefully my body holds out and I remain injury-free for Melbourne this weekend!"

Shayne says his next challenge will be trail running.

"I want to give it a go, it looks very picturesque and a great challenge."