Mick Marshall is a regional Victorian, a father, a tradesman, and a proud country footballer who played over 300 games of local footy.

He is a familiar figure in rural communities — someone who values hard work, loyalty, and standing shoulder to shoulder with his mates.

Following a serious workplace accident — an internal fall from a wind turbine — Mick sustained permanent injuries to his lower limbs. Overnight, his identity shifted. The physical trauma was significant. But what followed was just as confronting: the loss of routine, purpose, confidence, and connection.

Like many men, Mick followed the clinical path. Specialists. Physiotherapy. Psychology. Pain management. Medication.

There was no structure that gave his days meaning. No place he felt useful. No community that saw him beyond the injury.

At his lowest point, Mick made a decision that surprised even him.  He returned to running to rebuild structure, discipline, and connection. Through running, Mick found routine again. He found belonging. He found quiet conversations before and after training.

Mick’s athletic achievements are remarkable:

• Fastest marathon on crutches (MP3 category) — Melbourne Marathon 2024
• Fastest marathon on crutches outright — Ballarat Marathon 2025
• First and fastest known bilateral-impaired adaptive athlete to complete the UTMB World Series Finals MCC (40km / 2,300m elevation)

He endured eight surgeries and learnt to walk again three separate times. Recovery for Mick required purpose, routine and connection. And hence the Resilience Run.

Commencing Sunday 5 April 2026, Mick Marshall will undertake a verified endurance initiative across regional Victoria.

Over 21 consecutive days, Mick will run a minimum of 21.1km per day through key farming and regional communities across Victoria — irrigation districts, grain belts, dairy regions, and service hubs — before finishing with the Ballarat Marathon.

The Resilience Run is proud to confirm that Rural Aid is the official charitable beneficiary of this initiative.

Rural Aid has formally acknowledged and approved the Resilience Run as a fundraising and awareness campaign aligned with its mission of supporting rural and farming communities across Australia.