A Belgrave runner will begin a journey that has never been attempted before on Friday 27 February, taking on six loops of the Megasaw, a brutal 100-mile endurance challenge with more than 15,000 metres of elevation, not for records or statistics, but for his beloved friend, Jake.
Dvid Gatt’s run, known as ‘Jake’s Last Run Home’, will see him attempt to complete the course in under 55 hours, starting at The Basin Theatre (Yellow Gate) and finishing at Jake’s family home in Olinda.
But Mr Gatt said the numbers were not the point.
“This challenge is not about the distance or the statistics, this is about Jake, and finishing where he should have always been able to finish: home,” he said.
The event honours Jake Wolfe, a registered mental health, drug and alcohol coach based in Olinda who ran his own business and devoted his life to supporting others through mental health challenges, addiction, trauma and hardship.
He worked with clients from all walks of life and was widely respected for his compassion, commitment and ability to help people find hope when they could not see it themselves.
Mr Gatt said the scale of the run reflected the realities of mental health journeys.
“For me, this felt like the most honest way to honour Jake,” he said.
“An endurance challenge of this scale reflects what mental health journeys often look like – long, difficult, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming. Jake dedicated his life to supporting people through those moments, and I wanted to do something that carried real weight and meaning.”
The Megasaw course consists of 28 kilometres per loop, with 2500 metres of elevation each time, across six loops, that adds up to 100 miles and more than 15,000 metres of climbing.
Mr Gatt said the steep, technical and relentless terrain mirrored the struggles Jake helped others navigate.
“There are good moments and really hard ones, and sometimes the only option is to keep moving forward,” he said.
“Jake helped people through exactly that, without judgement and without pretending it was easy.”
The run is also raising funds for the Black Dog Institute, supporting mental health research, early intervention, suicide prevention, and programs for young people and families.
Mr Gatt said supporting the organisation felt right given Jake’s life’s work.
The local community has already rallied behind the cause, Mr Gatt said an initial fundraising goal of $5000 was reached within just over a week, with donations now surpassing $8000.
“I hope people understand that mental health challenges aren’t always obvious or dramatic, they’re often quiet, ongoing battles,” he said.
“I also hope people see how much community matters. Turning up, checking in, or supporting someone, even in small ways – can make a huge difference.”
Jake’s mother, Mariann Wolfe, said the fundraiser meant more to the family than words could express.
“Jake dedicated his life to helping others, especially those struggling with their mental health, and he did so with compassion, dignity, and without judgement,” Ms Wolfe said.
“Helping people wasn’t just his work – it was who he was.”
Ms Wolfe said seeing Jake’s kindness and commitment continue in his name brought both comfort and pride to the family.
“We miss him more than words can say, but his legacy lives on through every life touched by this cause,” she said.
“We are profoundly grateful and deeply moved by the love shown in his name, and we know Jake would be so humbled by this all.”
The Wolfe family, who live in Olinda, described Jake as a dedicated and loving son, a protective brother, a deeply adored uncle to Roczen and Sakara, a friend to all, and a devoted partner to Rachel.
“Jake was our greatest joy but now our greatest heartache,” Ms Wolfe said.
“Just knowing how widespread he was loved brings us such comfort. For Dave to have organised this all in Jake’s honour means more to us than words could ever express.”
Mr Gatt said finishing the run at Jake’s family home was essential to the meaning of the challenge.
“Home represents safety, love and support the things we all need when life gets heavy,” he said.
“Ending there makes it personal and grounded, rather than just crossing a finish line somewhere.”
Community members are invited to join Mr Gatt for any part of the journey, whether that is a loop, a climb, a few kilometres, time at the aid stations, or simply cheering at the start or finish.
Mr Gatt said the presence of others carried a message Jake lived by – that no one should feel alone on their hardest days.
“This run isn’t about pushing limits for the sake of it,” Mr Gatt said.
“It’s about remembering Jake, continuing the work he cared about, and reminding people that support exists, even when it doesn’t always feel that way.”
