When John Barnard-Richardson set out to run the Ultra Trail Jervis Bay to raise funds for acute aged care services at Royal North Shore Hospital, he didn’t expect the challenge to grow by four extra kilometres before he’d even begun.
At the pre-race briefing, runners were told of a last-minute course change, extending the already gruelling 106km ultramarathon to a daunting 110km. “It doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re about to run all day and into the night, it was a curveball,” says John. “I barely slept that night wondering if I’d planned enough to go the extra distance.”
Still, as the sun rose over Huskisson beach and the starting horn sounded at 6.30am, John took off with determination, keeping his fundraising mission front of mind: to support older Australians with dignity, comfort and specialised care.
“The run was always about more than the finish line,” he says. “I wanted to help shine a light on aged care services – often overlooked, but so vital to the lives of our parents, grandparents and community.”
With a solid start and smooth first half, John was feeling strong – until kilometre 69, when a nasty fall left him face down, bruised, scraped and shaken. “I tripped on a tree root and hit the ground hard. My emergency alert nearly contacted my wife before I stopped it,” he said. “But with the help of a fellow runner and my amazing support team, I pulled myself together. Only 41km to go, right?”
More Than a Race: Running to Change the Conversation Around Aged Care
As night fell, John pushed on – through technical terrain, total darkness and mounting fatigue. He crossed the finish line 13 hours, 48 minutes, and 56 seconds after starting, well ahead of his goal time, and with his mission accomplished.
“I was cold, disoriented, and absolutely spent – but also proud to have brought aged care into the spotlight in my own small way.”
And while John might be recovering from sore legs and a few battle scars, his efforts have already made a real impact:
JOHN’S ULTRA STATS
🏁 110km completed (not the original 106!)
👣 116,700 steps
🔥 8,995 calories burned
🧃 12.1 litres of sweat lost
⛰️ 1,913m elevation gain
🕒 13h 49m total time
🏃 8h 38m running, 3h 40m walking, 1h 29m resting
❤️ Average heart rate: 137 bpm
⚡ Best pace: 3:54 per km (John says: “Insane. Way too fast!”)
💪 Starting stamina: 100% | Finishing potential: 1%
💰 $5,441 raised… and counting!
The NORTH Foundation is continuing to support John’s campaign, with funds going directly to resources and initiatives that provide comfort, connection and dignity for older patients at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Next up: John’s running the City2Surf on 10 August 2025, aiming to finish the 14km in under an hour. Then on 15 November, he tackles the Queenstown Marathon in New Zealand – 42.2km of lakes, trails and mountain views. These challenges not only keep him moving, but also fuel his vision for aged care in 2026.
To contribute to John’s efforts, visit:
John Barnard-Richardson • NORTH Foundation
