Key Takeaways
- The Challenge: Richard Sarkies will run 59 laps (approx. 42km) around Koola Park in Killara on Sunday, 7th June, starting at 8:00 am.
- The Inspiration: The run honours John 'Crackers' Young, an avid marathon runner who tragically passed away from younger-onset dementia at age 59.
- The Cause: All donations are directed toward the Dementia Research Foundation to combat the leading cause of death in Australia.
They say a person’s impact isn’t measured in years, but in the lives they touch. For the many friends of John Young – affectionately known to everyone as ‘Crackers’ – that impact was immeasurable.
A marathon runner, John passed from dementia at just 59 years old. It is a loss that feels too soon in every sense of the phrase, highlighting the cruel reality of younger-onset dementia. But while John may be gone, his best friend, Richard Sarkies, is making sure his legacy is far from over.
Richard met his friend Crackers in 1997 at Thredbo Running Week.
On Sunday, 7th June, the quiet greenery of Koola Park in Killara will become a site of endurance, memory, and hope. Starting at 8:00 am, Richard will begin a gruelling physical challenge: running 59 laps of the park, one for every year of John’s life.
By the time he finishes (estimated to be around 2:00 or 3:00 pm), Richard will have covered approximately 42 kilometres – the distance of a full marathon.
The goal is simple: to drive donations toward research that could one day mean a different outcome for someone like John.
This isn’t just a personal challenge; it is a call to action. Richard is hosting this fundraiser to support the Dementia Research Foundation, an organisation dedicated to finding answers for a condition that is now the leading cause of death in Australia.
The North Shore community is invited to head down to Koola Park to cheer Richard on. Whether you knew ‘Crackers’ personally or simply want to support the fight against dementia, every clap, cheer, and dollar makes a difference.
