“Once I started it wasn’t about doing one thing for charity. It was only for my very own leisure. It was after the half-marathon that it hit me that I ought to do the subsequent one for charity,” he says.

“How many individuals wish to run in thongs for charity? No person. So it struck me as an important thought for elevating cash for individuals who want it.

“Working as a coach opened my eyes to the significance of serving to individuals. There are such a lot of in want – sick youngsters in hospitals, youngsters with no cash, homelessness, individuals in horrible conditions they will’t get out of – and so many who’ve so many who’ve loads of cash don’t do something to assist others. You simply should do what you’ll be able to.”

Whereas Hensen-Thompson was born within the Victorian capital his gaze was at all times pointed north. As a child, he idolised Australian ironman greats corresponding to Trevor Hendy, Grant Kenny and Shannon Eckstein, and dreamed sooner or later competing on this iconic Australian sport.

“The teaching in Melbourne was superb, nevertheless it simply doesn’t have the surroundings and the local weather. So my household moved to Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast so I might participate within the ironman circuit,” Hensen-Thompson says.

After reaching his peak in ironman in his late teenagers Hensen-Thompson moved to Perth to pursue a profession in kayaking, a pivot that faltered when COVID struck. Nonetheless, Perth’s seashores had been golden sufficient her to carry Hensen-Thompson, and he took a job as head coach on the Metropolis of Perth Surf Life Saving Membership.

“We’re a coastal nation, so it will be significant for individuals to know that the ocean shouldn’t be a secure place. You might want to be taught concerning the risks earlier than you go in,” Hensen-Thompson says.

Amusingly, placing on flip-flops for Hensen-Thompson is his model of dressing up.

“I’m normally in naked ft. I placed on thongs when I’ve to decorate up or to exit. I don’t even put on a good pair of sneakers,” he says.

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At present, Hensen-Thompson is mapping out the route for his marathon, which as soon as once more will probably be alongside the coast and finish on the Metropolis of Peth Surf Membership. He sticks to the coast as a result of it’s the long-lasting Australian terrain and, most significantly, it has few hills.

“Working up a hill in thongs is the toughest issues you’ll ever do, so I’ll keep near the seashore,” he says.

“It’s additionally simple to get injured operating in flip-flops, so the footpath alongside the coast is safer. And surroundings is necessary to me. And I wish to run in a straight line. As soon as I’ve seen one thing as soon as I don’t wish to see it once more.”

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