Ultra-marathon runner, Chris Pye, will combine his passion for running with his passion for social justice when he runs around the SAME block of Brisbane’s CBD for 24 hours starting at noon on Friday 4th April.
His aim in deliberately confining himself to the same restricted space during his “Nowhere to Run “marathon is to focus awareness on the situation faced every day by incarcerated refugees and asylum seekers.
British born Chris who has a background in theatre and has his Masters in counselling only took to the streets, so to speak, 4 years ago. He will compete in his third 24 hour marathon in Sydney in June followed later in the year by an ultra-marathon in India which will raise money for vulnerable women and girls.
Chris will have a dedicated team of volunteers based in Reddicliffe place (outside Treasury Casino) for the duration of his marathon. He and they, by engaging with the public during the 24 hours in this unique way, hope to counter some of the misinformation and ill feeling currently generated towards refugees and asylum seekers.
Visitors to the support stall will have the opportunity to sign a petition to the House of Representatives. There will also be a Visitors Book in which people can leave comments about their feelings on refugee policies. The book will be delivered to the Dept of Immigration in Brisbane.