IT'S WAS a case of "bottoms up" for Queensland's Jenna Brook when she completed her astounding run the length of Australia finishing in Cape York.
The 30-year-old long-distance runner and grazier was "Running for Bums" for nearly four months, travelling from the bottom to the top of Australia to get people talking about bowel cancer.
The Birdsville-born adventurer has run and walked a marathon distance every day for the last three months and three weeks to achieve the feat.
Jenna's 4500km odyssey began at the southern end of Tasmania in February and reached Cape York on June 14, raising just under $60,000 for Bowel Cancer Australia along the way.
"I'm not quite sure what I feel at the moment but in time the reality of this accomplishment will no doubt sink in," Jenna wrote on her Facebook page when she reached the end.
She said she was "completely overwhelmed" by the "phenomenal support". "I know as a team we have saved lives," she wrote.
Along the way, Jenna wanted to start a nationwide conversation about bowel cancer risk factors and early screening.
"Eighty Australians die every week from bowel cancer, making it our nation's second biggest cancer killer," she said.
It is these startling statistics, and memories of her grandfather battling with the disease, that motivated her to start Running for Bums.
Many people along the way have shared their bowel cancer stories with Jenna.
"It has been very successful in getting the message out there, that you can prevent bowel cancer," she said.
"So many late diagnoses come down to sheer embarrassment, and I'd love to see the end of that."
While it was mentally challenging and tiring covering 45-60 kilometres a day, Jenna said it has all been worth it.
"It's been a big learning curve. It does take a big toll on the legs, there's no doubt about that!"
Jenna only took up running 18 months before setting off.
Putting aside the aches and pains, she said the highlight has been the people she's met along the way.
"There are the people who have engaged with us and even welcomed us into their homes. This has been so remarkable, humbling and heartening."
Jenna's grandfather survived bowel cancer late in his life. The family took the matter seriously and Jenna grew up in an environment where bowel health was openly discussed.
"I have grown up knowing that my risk is elevated," she said.
"I've now had three colonoscopies since I was 25, as a preventative measure. The doctors have removed 14 polyps as a result."
She said this quest was about telling that story.
- You can still donate to Running for Bums, visit runningforbums.com.au