33 marathons in 33 days - Jordan's Move2Belong challenge

One Gold Coast ultra-athlete is doing more than his fair share to support refugees by running 1,392.6 kms in June and July.

Written by Blank Street Press, Gold Coast

Previously, we’ve showcased the incredible work done by charity You Belong, an organisation that facilitates programs, ongoing events and workshops to help refugees integrate and thrive here in Australia.

Today, hundreds of refugees participate in You Belong activities weekly, positively impacting their integration into the community.

Move 2 Belong is You Belong's annual virtual fundraising campaign that invites and challenges participants to move the distance of a refugee migration route throughout June, in solidarity and support for the millions displaced by war and conflict.

Participants can walk, bike, swim, scoot, paddle and move in any way that’s available to them.

Last year this event raised $27,000 and saw more than 150 people participate. This year the team is aiming to raise $60,000 and hopes to engage 400 participants to move their way.

Enter Jordan Chenery.

Jordan Chenery is a Gold Coast based entrepreneur who dedicates his days to movement, community, whole foods nutrition, nature, sleep, recovery and mindfulness practices.

After his most recent Ultra Marathon event was postponed, he decided it was time to commit to a project that was bigger than just "running".

As an avid ultra-endurance athlete who thrives on the mental challenge of being able to navigate through adversity for not a race but everyday life, he saw it was a good fit to partner with his fellow friend and cold plunge addict, Tim Buxton, Founder of You Belong.

Jordan knew that he wanted to challenge himself to move a distance that not only pushes his own limits, but brings awareness to the You Belong community, and explore doing something that some refugees around the world would have to do to seek help and often survive.

Jordan will run 33 marathons in 33 days. 1392.6km to be exact, commencing on 1 June - Global Running Day and ending 3 July - Gold Coast Marathon.

He'll travel Australia in iconic locations like Bondi Beach in Sydney, Uluru, and Melbourne as well as his home city of the Gold Coast.

This will be the first of a series of upcoming ultra-distances over the next few years and is going to test him on not just a physical level, but emotionally also.

"We are thrilled to have Jordan champion others to move - his movement is massive - and it also represents the grueling journey that most refugees are forced to take when fleeing their homes to seek safety and refuge," says Tim Buxton.

Gold Coasters are encouraged to design their own fitness challenge in June, one that connects them to the journey of a refugee waymaker, so we can move the distance of a refugee migration route in solidarity with refugees.

You can follow Jordan’s journey on Instagram @jord_chen, and visit the campaign website move2belong.com.au to sign up.