Meet Brodie Sargent — 21 years old, raised in Mudgee, NSW, now living and training in Wollongong. On August 26, Brodie will attempt to set a world record for the most consecutive marathons run by a male living with Type 1 diabetes: 26 marathons in 26 days. And just to finish strong? On day 27, he’s adding a half Ironman. Because, in his words, “why not?”
This record-breaking feat isn’t just about physical endurance. It’s about purpose. Brodie is aiming to raise $26,000 for The Type 1 Foundation, a charity that’s close to his heart. But even more than the fundraising goal, he wants to prove something far greater:
“I don’t want any diabetic out there to feel as though their diagnosis will hold them back. I want to inspire the shy, scared kids — the ones like I was — to believe in what they’re capable of.”
Note: From August 26, for the 27 days of Brodie's challenge, Type Strong will double their donation from 50c to $1 from every purchase to The Type 1 Foundation, in support.
Brodie's diagnosis
Brodie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 15, in Year 9; a time when most teenagers are still figuring out who they are. The diagnosis felt like a heavy blow. He was the only one in his family with diabetes, and it took time to adjust.
“It definitely put me into a bit of a shell. I was scared to tell people at first. But over time — especially after moving out at 18 — I met others with diabetes and realised I wasn’t alone.”
That realisation turned into action. Brodie committed to doing something meaningful for the T1D community, to show what’s possible, and to give others a source of strength during their own tough moments.
Training the Body — and the Mind
Surprisingly, Brodie’s world record prep hasn’t involved just endless kilometres on the pavement. In fact, much of his training happens in the gym — focused on strengthening tendons, ligaments, and muscle systems that will carry him through over 1,100 km of running.
Still, he’s been logging nearly 100 km per week, and says that this time around, his real focus has been mental: learning to stay grounded, keep perspective, and find joy in the process.
“At the end of the day, I think the difference between setting the record and falling short will come down to mindset.”
Fuelling a Type 1 Athlete
For any endurance athlete, nutrition is a science. But for someone with T1D, it’s even more complex. Brodie’s teamed up with expert nutritionists Louise Murray and Matthew Hart to fine-tune his fuelling strategy, which looks like slowly feeding a steady stream of carbohydrates throughout each run, aiming to keep his blood glucose levels stable and in range.
“I used to just run until I went low, stop for lollies, and keep going. Now we’re working to stay ahead of those crashes — but diabetes is unpredictable. I don’t think I’ll ever fully ‘conquer’ my BGLs. It’s just a game I have to adapt to daily.”
Show up and say hi!
Brodie’s message is clear: this challenge is personal, but it’s not one he wants to face alone. He’s inviting anyone and everyone to come along the journey — whether that means joining him for a few kilometres, cheering from the sidelines, or just saying hello.
He’ll be running most days along the Wollongong coastline, often starting near the lighthouse and heading north or south depending on the day. Each day’s route and start time will be shared on his Instagram stories, making it easy to show up and support.
“There’s no specific day you have to come. Just show up. On any day, your support could be what gets me through.”
Help Brodie break the record (and the stigma)
This isn’t just a test of endurance. It’s a challenge to the narrative that diabetes defines what someone can or can’t do.
Through grit, humour, and a whole lot of heart, Brodie is proving that living with Type 1 doesn’t mean living with limits.
You can support Brodie’s run by donating to his campaign for The Type 1 Foundation, or by showing up in Wollongong during his 27-day feat. Either way, you’ll be part of something unforgettable.
📍 Follow along: @typerun_ on Instagram
💙 Donate or learn more: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/372931/type-runs-world-record-attempt