Professor Paulo de Souza running through the night
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Paulo de Souza has again taken on the gruelling Herdy's Frontyard Ultra, running 70 kilometres through the night, raising $10,784 for Edith Cowan University's (ECU's) Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund.
The endurance race began on the evening of Friday 13 March at Herdsman Lake. Professor de Souza ran through the night, finishing at 2am on Saturday 14 March.
Running with purpose
The Herdy's Frontyard Ultra is built on a simple but unforgiving format: competitors run a 6.71 kilometre loop every hour. When the next hour begins, they line up and run again. Miss the start and the race is over.
The cycle continues until only one runner remains.
Professor de Souza entered the race with a clear purpose, which was to turn endurance into opportunity for ECU students.
He said the physical strain of an ultramarathon offers a powerful reminder of the persistence many students show during their studies.
"Running through the night gives you time to think about why you started," Professor de Souza said.
"Many students are working, studying and carrying responsibilities at the same time. Their degrees can feel like an endurance event. If my run helps ease that burden for even a few of them, then the effort is worthwhile."
A community effort
L-R Professor Paulo de Souza, ECU student Jacob Morris, Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock
Though he ran the race alone, Professor de Souza was buoyed at every step by those cheering him on around the lake and by the wider community backing his fundraising efforts.
Staff, friends and supporters came throughout the night to cheer him on as he completed lap after lap in the dark, including ECU Vice-Chancellor Clare Pollock, ECU Provost Colm Harmon and staff from the School of Engineering and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
Their presence underscored the purpose behind the run: scholarships, funded by staff, alumni and the wider community, help students stay enrolled when financial pressure threatens to derail their studies. The Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund provides targeted support to students who face financial barriers to higher education.
Recipients include students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, as well as students with disability, caring responsibilities or complex personal circumstances.
For many, financial assistance can determine whether they complete their degree.
A final push
While Professor de Souza's run may be finished, the fundraising will continue until 2 April.
There is still time to make a difference.
Every donation goes directly to the scholarship fund, helping determined students stay on track to complete their studies.
A strong final push could create new opportunities, ensuring the determination shown on a dark running track translates into brighter futures in lecture theatres and classrooms.
To contribute to this cause, visit The power of giving to ECU
