Crossing the Nullarbor has been a healing journey for William Burnett, ABC News reports.
On his 34th birthday he set off to complete 81 consecutive ultra-marathons across Australia — equivalent to 56-80 kilometres a day.
Mr Burnett hopes he can raise awareness about veteran suicides along the many kilometres of his journey, which began in Margaret River, Western Australia, and will end in Byron Bay, New South Wales.
Mr Burnett was medically discharged from the military in 2018 after serving for 11 years including deployments to the Middle East, United States and Asia.
He had sustained physical injuries and struggled with mental health problems in his final year in service.
"I was suicidal for two years, and was very, very depressed and suffered from PTSD for a very long time. I could have become a statistic. But I didn't.
"I want people to know the power is in their hands. It absolutely is, and there's a community out here, who is ready to receive everybody and help as much as possible."
The Nullarbor leg of his journey took Mr Burnett by surprise.
"It was like picking up a completely different book," he said.
On his journey he has met Vietnam veterans at camping sites.
"It feels really good to know that they are seeing the changes that should have occurred in their generation," Mr Burnett said.
"We didn't have the framework back then that we have right now for mental health support for military men or women returning from war."
He's had a lot of time to think on the road.
FULL STORY
Meet the people flying and running hundreds of kilometres across the Nullarbor (ABC News)
PHOTO
Mr Burnett was a veteran for 11 years.(Supplied: River Tree)
