Source : ABC NEWS
Radio host Carrie Bickmore has paid tribute to former AFL players Isaac Smith and Scott Selwood after both ran a full marathon to raise funds for brain cancer.
Smith, the four-time premiership winner with Hawthorn and Geelong, joined Bickmore in for the Big 5 marathon in South Africa after just three weeks of preparation.
Selwood was scheduled to join Bickmore’s squad in South Africa, but pulled out after the tragic death of his brother Adam Selwood last month. Despite this, the ex-Geelong midfielder ran the 42 kilometres by himself around the Albert Park lake in Melbourne.
“The definition of mate ship right here,” Bickmore wrote in a post praising the duo on Instagram.
Loading Instagram content
“Collapsed against the wall is Scott Selwood, who was due to participate in The Big 5 with us but had to pull out at the last minute due to the most horrific personal circumstances. He still chose to do the marathon in Australia at the same time as we did ours in South Africa. He ran around Albert Park lake and did the 42K alone. What a superhuman effort.
“The pic of the man laying down is Isaac Smith, a former footy player who stepped in with 3 weeks to go and only managed 3 training runs before running The Big 5 marathon. He nearly got medic’d off the course because he was so unwell, but he wouldn’t let them stop him running. He completed the marathon, the colour of grey, and stumbling everywhere but he did it. He did it for Scott.
“Sending love to both of you. You are both beautiful humans.”
Bickmore’s message accompanied an image which showed both Smith and Selwood immediately after running their respective marathons.
Scott Selwood delivered a moving eulogy at his brother Troy’s public funeral service in Geelong in February. (Getty Images:)
The Big 5 marathon is considered one of the toughest courses in the world. Runners weave their way through an African wildlife park with animals such as lions, elephants and rhinos.
Adam Selwood died at 41 on May 17 and was farewelled by his loved ones at a private funeral in Perth last month, just months after his twin brother Troy also died and was given a public service at Geelong’s Kardinia Park in February.
The four Selwood brothers combined for 786 games during their respective careers, an AFL record for the most combined games by siblings.
