Ready to Run: Lee Wood will lace up his shoes to run in the City2Surf on Sunday. PIC: Peter Gleeson
ATHLETICS
PORT Macquarie's Lee Wood will put his body through a torture test at the City2Surf on Sunday, and he will do it all for a great cause.
Wood using the 12 kilometre race from Sydney's CBD to Bondi to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Institute, and his tally is already reaching dizzying heights.
Wood said he originally hoped to raise $1000 for the cause, but "smashed through" that amount on Sunday.
"So whatever I get now is a bonus," he said.
It wasn't hard for him to pick a good cause to run for.
Lee said it was poignant as someone close to him suffered from the disease.
"I thought if I was going to do it, I would do it for a reason."
He's been training hard for the event, with cardio work the main focus, along with cross-training and mixed martial arts.
Road running has also been on the menu.
Wood decided to enter the City2Surf as he prepared for the Tough Mudder event a "crazy obstacle course".
"I was training for that and then the City2Surf came along," he said.
"I thought this would be a great warm-up."
It will be the first time Wood has tackled the gruelling course, and he said he couldn't wait to lace up the shoes and get out there.
"I am a bit excited to see how I go, more than anything," he said.
He wasn't expecting to break any course records on the day.
"Within the day," he said with a laugh when asked about his finishing time target.
Then he took a more serious tone.
"I don't see any reason why I can't finish within two hours," he said.
To donate to Wood's cause, head to www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/lee_wood1152