A GRUELLING foot race through WA’s Kimberley region awaits Swanbourne doctor Jamie Prendiville in his quest to raise funds for melanoma research.
The 54-year-old is among 200 competitors taking part in a seven-day, 250km endurance race organised by RacingThePlanet that starts on April 25.
He will compete as part of a team that includes his brothers Garry, John, Mark and Michael, sons Patrick and Christian, and friends Bill Biffin and Katalin Pataki.
Their bid follows some of the group, including Jamie, taking part in the 2008 Gobi March – a trek through China’s Gobi Desert.
“When we did the Gobi Desert, I promised I’d never do that sort of thing again and I said to the guys ‘if I ever mention this again, I want you to kill me’,” he said.
“But as time passed, everyone’s enthusiasm started sparking up again. When we were in the Gobi last time, we requested they have one in Australia as soon as possible and we promised we’d do it, so here we are.”
The races require all competitors carry their own equipment and food. They are only provided with water and a place in a tent each day, and supported by medical and operations teams.
The Prendiville group will again raise money for the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre in Nedlands.
Scott was a friend and patient of Dr Prendiville, who died from melanoma at just 27.
The Kimberley race is organised by international group RacingThePlanet that runs the annual 4 Deserts series, through the Gobi Desert in China, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica.
To donate to the team, call 9224 0324.