IN an interview with Port News in November 2007, Brad Foster said he wouldn't do the full Ironman.
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The now 55-year-old made the comment after competing in his first half Ironman race in Port Macquarie in just over six hours.
On Thursday he cycled into town after a 450 kilometre ride from Byron Bay in the Brad Foster Ride to Port Challenge, a fund-raiser for KIDS (kids in dangerous situations) Foundation, and on Sunday will tackle the Toyota Ironman Australian a 226km total journey.
This is made all the more remarkable by the fact Foster has had two operations for brain tumours and has lost vision in his right eye.
But rather than dwell on his own problems, Foster has used his participation in Ironman to raise money for KIDS Foundation since 2008.
Since then he has continued his fund-raising, establishing the Ride to Port challenge four years ago.
This year, 29 riders, including 12 from Port Macquarie, cycled alongside him, including KIDS founder, Susie O'Neill, and have already raised more than $75,000.
Foundation ambassador, Olympian Susie O'Neill and three of the riders will join Foster in the Ironman on Sunday.
A KIDS Foundation booth at the Glasshouse Ironman expo is set up to take registrations for the Little Superhero 500m fun run which starts at 10.30am tomorrow at Westport Park. Entrants are encouraged to dress as their favourite super hero and will receive a special medal for competing.
You can help the effort by sponsoring a duck for $50 at the booth.
The ducks will be set free from the Gordon Street bridge over Kooloongbung Creek at noon tomorrow with first prize a minimum of $2000 and up to $10,000 depending on the number of ducks sold.
There are cash prizes for second, third and fourth place and you can also sponsor one at www.kidsfoundation.org.au/2014-cycle-challenges/duck-race
Showbags with goodies valued at about $50 are on sale at the booth for $10 and there will be face painting for a gold coin donation and other activities for the children.
The charitable organisation is a national leader in childhood injury prevention and injury recovery - especially for burn victims.
"After meeting some of the most courageous and inspirational children from the KIDS Foundation that had received burns from horrific accidents, I decided I would take on a challenge that would not only give me a reason to focus on my survival but also to help other also enduring continuing operations," Foster said at the time.
