Mates on the run to promote men's health

Paul Omodei says he is still recovering after taking part in a 1000km relay about 15 months ago to raise awareness of men's health issues.

With five mates, all aged between 33 and 42, Mr Omodei ran from Nannup to his home town of Manjimup over seven days in March last year.

"It took a bit of a toll on us," he said. "There were a few aches and pains in our old bodies and some of us have still got injuries even though it was over a year ago."

The six men, who met through the Lower South West Football League, are now preparing for their third Mates 500 Relay after taking a year off.

The event started with a 500km run in 2011 and has since raised more than $100,000 for the Regional Men's Health Initiative and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

In March, they plan to run a 1500km relay with two other groups of runners, stopping at towns along the way to promote men's health and wellbeing.

While the group is still finalising details of the next event, they expect to start in Mukinbudin and run through Merredin, Quairading, Corrigin, Kulin, Lake Grace and Wickepin before finishing in Manjimup.

They are calling for runners as well as volunteers to help raise money and host forums and functions in regional towns during the relay.

"It gives more people the chance to get involved, rather than us just coming into the community and trying to raise money and awareness," Mr Omodei said.

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