100km run raises $18,000 for youth mental health
by Ms Kylie Pearson, School Librarian, and Rohan M-R, School Captain
Eight hours, 58 minutes and 12 seconds is the time that our 2026 School Captain, Rohan M-R, took to run 100km on Sunday 15 February where he unofficially broke the under 20 national record and, officially, raised more than $18,000 for headspace in Box Hill. And all on the day he turned 18 years old!
Starting at 4:00am, Rohan was supported throughout the day by fellow students, both past and present, family, friends and Box Hill High School staff, who cheered and marvelled at the incredible focus and commitment as he ran laps around Gardiners Creek Reserve in Box Hill.
Those who came along were invited to join Rohan by either running or riding laps, cheering loudly as each lap was achieved and holding up signs of support. His mum Jen said:
"A number of Rohan’s friends were there from 3:30am, playing essential roles like helping with the many logistics, managing his social media, cheering him on as well as running and/ or riding laps with him. Will L. spent hours in the morning keeping him company on the bike and then spent further hours running with him later on! More friends and teachers arrived during the day and the support from both students and staff from BHHS was truly incredible. We are so grateful to the school community for the way they rallied around him."
Interviewed on ABC Melbourne breakfast radio last week by hosts Bob and Sharnelle before the run, Rohan was interviewed again the day after his epic achievement, waking at 5:00am to further promote the importance of youth mental health and the incredible work that headspace does for young people. Rohan said:
"When I crossed the finish line, I was relieved and so grateful. I think more than 100 people came down throughout the day to support me which made the day so much more special and helped me get to the finish line. I am also really grateful to everyone who donated money. While I didn’t have a target in mind, $18,000 was so much more than I expected to raise."
At school, we ran a competition, Rohan’s Run – How Many Steps? where all students, in all Home Groups were asked to get in their house groups and have a guess at how many steps it would take him to run 100km. Every single guess was published and put on display outside the library, and we had three groups get very close. The winning group were from Year 11, and just 21 steps over the actual 83,979 steps that it took Rohan to run the 100km.
We are so proud to put a spotlight on Rohan’s incredible goal and to help him promote the importance of youth mental health, of being a supportive friend and in looking after one another.
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/385454/rohans-100km-run-to-raise-funds-for-headspace-box-hill/1
RADIO INTERVEWS
Before the race: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-breakfast/rohan-run/106281492
After the race https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-breakfast/breakfast/106335520 (start at 1:04:12)
THE AGE
