General News
11 September, 2025
Mitch runs 1100km for Angelman Syndrome
It is 9am on Friday morning (September 5) when fellow Nyngan Run/Walk Club member Sonia Lane and I come across Mitch McKenny six kilometres from Nyngan — exactly halfway on his 1100 kilometre journey from Broken Hill to Newcastle.
The weather is beautiful, but a headwind was picking up and as both of us ran alongside him we were pleased not to be doing the whole 40 kilometres he was planning to complete that day.
In front of us in one support vehicle was his father, and behind in a motorhome lent by Jayco Newcastle, were his aunt and uncle — all part of his “Huxley’s Heroes” team.
As we neared Nyngan, we were given a police escort, and later as we gathered around the Big Bogan Mitch, a former police officer, enjoyed a catch up with constable Ethan Sheather who had been following his journey.
Mitch, 38, is running to raise awareness and funds to help families affected by Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects around one in 15,000 people.
The syndrome is caused by an abnormal chromosome, and those affected have developmental delay and intellectual disability, and they tend to be characterised by a happy demeanour.
As we run, Mitch tells how he became aware of Angelman Syndrome and decided to do “something big” to help those impacted. His three-year-old son attended family day care in Broken Hill, and six months ago the carer learned her baby son, Huxley, had Angelman Syndrome.
Although he wasn’t a habitual runner, Mitch decided he would run from Broken Hill to his hometown of Newcastle — 1100 km, completing roughly a marathon every day for 27 days. So far, his feet have held up well, but the slight cantor of the road has resulted in some hip issues.
“I basically have to run on the right-hand side of the road so I can see the approaching traffic, but every now and then I cross to the other side to give my hip a break. I’ve been fortunate to have a podiatrist and a physio supporting my journey. I saw a physio in Cobar and I’ll see another one in Dubbo,” he said.
“The hardest part is starting up again after a rest. I usually walk the first kilometre to warm up then I start shuffling along.”
He applauded the traffic along the Barrier Highway between Broken Hill and Nyngan which he said had been considerate — and often encouraging him with some horn blasts or a “well done mate.”
“It’s not uncommon for people to stop their cars and give me a donation, which has been wonderful,” he said as a man in Nyngan runs across the road proffering a $50 note.
Every day as he completes his kilometres, Mitch does a shout out to a different “Angel” (person in Australia with Angelman Syndrome). He has a list of about 500, and one of his only regrets about reaching his destination — Nobby’s Beach — is that he will have run out of days to give each one a call out.
At Nyngan he learned Federal Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek had asked in Parliament, “Is there really a guy running from Broken Hill to Newcastle for Angelman Syndrome?” — which was a buzz.
In Nyngan, Mitch and his support crew were given accommodation at the Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park, and he was looking forward to some much-needed rest as he ran past the entrance into Nyngan.
“I still have to do another 30km before I can come back here this afternoon — but it will make me appreciate it even more.”
Donations to Huxley’s Heroes can be made online via link on the Huxley’s Heroes Facebook site.
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