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Symon’s 10/10/10000 Canberra Marathon Challenge
Tuesday, 24th March 2026
In 2024, Shake It Up supporter Symon Badenoch ran the Canberra Half-Marathon in support of Parkinson’s research. This also marked the first time he had shared his own diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, at age 48, and his community instantly rallied around him to show their support, donating $8,000 overnight. In total, Symon and his wife Jayne have now raised over $48,000 for Shake It Up Australia and they continue to commit to advocacy, awareness building and research funding.
This year, Parkinson’s Awareness Month also marks five years since Symon first received his Parkinson’s diagnosis. “Five years ago, I walked into a neurologist with a sore shoulder and arm”, Symon says. “30 minutes later, I walked out with the news that I had Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease”.
It took some time for Symon to navigate life with this unexpected diagnosis. After three years, he decided he wanted to play a role in helping to raise awareness of the disease, along with raising funds to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s.
This year, Symon and Jayne have come up with yet another creative fundraising challenge. We spoke with Symon to hear all about it.
Symon, tell us all about this years 10/10/10000 challenge. What does it involve?
In 2024 Jayne and I completed a half marathon to raise funds. Last year we walked 50 kms. The body is changing each year so unfortunately the distances are getting smaller and more challenging, but the goal remains the same – keep pushing and raise what funds we can.
This year we aim to do a slightly different fundraiser. We appreciate the donations received in previous years, but we don’t expect the same people to donate every year.
So, this year our theme is different – 10/10/10000. This means:
- $10 – While we appreciate any amount that people can contribute, we are hoping people can spare $10 to help further research.
- 10km – We will complete the 10km event at the Canberra Running Festival on the 12th April to help raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease.
- $10k – We will personally donate $10 for every person that beats me in the 10km distance up to $10,000. This shouldn’t be too hard for people to pass me and just by doing so they will be making a difference. I will be wearing a shirt with the following on the back: “BEAT ME AND I WILL DONATE $10 TOWARDS PARKINSON’S RESEARCH”
Symon with his wife Jayne
Why are you so passionate about supporting research?
Without research, there will ultimately be no cure. We need to understand that every small “win” in research will ultimately lead to the end of the disease.
I have been lucky enough to hear from some of the researchers that Shake It Up Australia fund and small breakthroughs are happening regularly. We just need to remain optimistic, keep funding the experts and eventually the scientists will crack the code.
How is your training going for the Canberra Running Festival?
The progression of the disease has made training more challenging than in previous years, but Jayne disagrees and says I am just getting old! I have few sore spots to overcome but no excuses with a few weeks to go. Jasper (my dog) is meant to be my training partner but he refuses to leave the couch. So, I have justified going slower by convincing myself this allows more people to beat me, which leads to more awareness and more donations.
Your challenges raise important awareness. What’s something you wish people understood more about PD?
I wish people understood that it doesn’t just affect older people – more young people are being diagnosed with Parkinson’s every single day. It is also a very complex disease. It’s so much more than just the “shakes” or “rigidity”. Symptoms vary dramatically between every individual. For every motor symptom you visually see in a PD person, there are another 5-10 non-motor symptoms they are dealing with every hour of every day.
Whilst Parkinson’s disease has smacked me in the mouth and changed my world, it has also taught me to be patient, stop stressing about the small things and enjoy today.
So, those runners who pass me on the 12th April, do it with a smile and don’t let me catch you in the last 500 metres!
You can make a donation or start your own fundraiser to support Shake It Up this April. Every dollar counts in the quest for a cure, and 100% of donations raised will go directly to cutting-edge researchers here in Australia. Click here to get involved today.
