Tough love gets Toby on the trot

Popular harness racing media personality Toby McKinnon has been thrown an eye-watering incentive to complete “The Long Trot”, an initiative to draw attention to Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

Launched at the beginning of September by Harness Racing Victoria, The Long Trot is part of the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s The Long Run fundraiser and industry participants and followers have been urged to complete 72km — running, walking, wheeling or even riding a horse.

“I’ve got quite a few friends who are sponsoring me or who’ve made donations, and all the funds raised are helping the foundation combat prostate cancer and raise awareness,” McKinnon said.

“Champion reinswoman Kate Gath, who is running, has thrown a massive motivation at me to tick off the 72km trot—if I don’t finish, she’s promised to wax my eyebrows off!

“So I’ll get the job done that’s for sure!  And when I do, just to rub it in a bit I plan to do the last few kilometres around Kate and Andy’s training track at Long Forrest.

“I like running, particularly out in the bush because it’s a simple escape. I think it would be much the same as jogging a horse in that way.”

McKinnon is certainly “fair dinkum” about meeting his challenge – he was spotted recently at a walking track in his local area wearing a headlamp and hoping to clock up some kilometres on a new circuit.

“I only got about 900 metres in and I had to turn back. It was a bit overgrown. It was pretty hard going so I pulled the pin and went back to the car. I don’t mind running in the dark so I’ll find a more suitable track,” he said.

“Over the years I’ve probably competed in about 30 races over all sorts of distances from 50km, up to 80 and even 100kms. I would be happy if people just pledge a few dollars because then I know they are thinking about prostate cancer—and therefore I’m raising awareness.”

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has recommended men over 50, or over 40 if they have a family history of prostate cancer, to get the simple blood test, called a PSA, as part of their regular check-ups with their GP.

McKinnon said while doctors might make a plan of A, B and C for the physical health of those with prostate cancer, he believes the area of mental health is sometimes overlooked for men diagnosed and their families.

“The impact is significant and there’s a 70 percent increased risk they are more likely to commit suicide. So if you know someone who has been diagnosed take the time to sit down with them. Find a moment to get a coffee, go for a walk or sit on a beach – anywhere and just check in, ask them if they’re going okay,” he said.

According to PCFA, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with 66 men being diagnosed daily and 10 dying.

CEO Anne Savage has commended Victoria’s harness racing community for its five-year partnership to helping save lives.

“Fundraising during this month is crucial to helping win the battle—we’re aiming at raising $1M through The Long Run for research and support services,” Ms Savage said.

Champion reinsmen in Greg Sugars, David Aiken and Anthony Butt are wearing commemorative PCFA blue and white silks this month and every winner, along with every Aiken-trained stable victory, will see HRV donate $200 to The Long Trot fundraiser.

Aiken was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and he’s urging all of the industry and others to get tested regularly every year with a PSA.

“I should be okay—I’m in really good hands but we need to get the awareness out there about getting regular checks.”

To join in and support The Long Trot: click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink