Marc Bradley

Name
Marc Bradley
Department
MFB – Melbourne

Marital Status/Family Details
Married to Denise. 3 children: Ariane – 22years, Jack – 12 years, Emma – 8 years

Nickname/s
Braddas

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
The Gallipoli run 2008. Footy Premierships. Representing MFB in World Police Fire Games 1995

What motivates you?
I have a passion for anything relating to sport and the challenges associated with it. The run in itself represents a huge challenge, and the reasons behind it is something that has touched all of us in some way.

Favorite Food
Roast Lamb

Most Annoying Habit
Most annoying habit Cleaning the kitchen before my wife has finished the meal preparation!!

Favorite Movie
Shawshank Redemption

Who would you most like to meet in the US? Why?
Without a doubt Muhammad Ali – my sporting hero

Sporting Interests/Background?
Running, AFL football, cricket, keeping fit

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
Foxy will certainly look the best in it.

Who will “snap” first?
I’ll sit on the fence.

Michael Jones

Name
Michael Jones
Department
CFA, Frankston Fire Brigade

Marital Status/Family Details
Married (wife-Janelle) Son (Liam 2 & a half years old)

Nickname/s
'Jonesy' .......A lot of thought went into this nickname.

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
Sporting achievement most proud of Representing NSW Country School Boys Rugby Union team to tour New Zealand.

What motivates you?
My friends and family motivate me to achieve more and enjoy life. What motivates me to run and exercise is so I can eat lots of food and drink beer.

Favorite Food
Anything Wifey cooks for me or 'Pho' (Vietnamese Beef & Rice noodle soup from my favourite restaurant in Springvale)

Most Annoying Habit
A mild dose of OCD.

Favorite Movie
"Star Wars IV - A New Hope". It was the first movie I saw on the big screen at Noosa Drive-In back in 1977, seen it many times since...... I love it!!!!!!!!

Who would you most like to meet in the US? Why?
Clint Eastwood, I think he is an amazing actor and a very skilled director. To me he is a very well balanced guy in such a topsy-turvy profession. I would love to have his energy and enthusiasm in my later years.

Sporting Interests/Background?
Rugby Union, motorcycle riding, touch rugby, running (obviously), a little bit of cycling and I am also an avid armchair sportsman.

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
I nominate Johnny McGirr. My reasoning behind this is that whilst on the David Balfour Run he looked pretty good in a mini skirt and blonde wig, so a tutu is right up his alley.

Who will “snap” first?
Oh, that's easy. It would be me. Refer to annoying habits for explanation.

Ben Schmidt

Name
Ben Schmidt
Department
Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service

Marital Status/Family Details
Married to Libby. 1 daughter Bailey who turned 18 months old at Christmas

Nickname/s
None printable but currently Forrest (as in Gump . . the whole run across America thing)

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
Coaches Award Under 8’s Football; Equal 2nd place – egg and spoon race Grade 3 (I was robbed); an Ironman triathlon finisher; and soon to have run across America with soon to be great mates.

What motivates you?
A challenge and when people say I can’t. This run motivates me differently though. It’s not the run itself but what it represents. It’s an unusual feeling – proud and privileged

Favorite Food
Bangers and mash – it’s the simple things

Most Annoying Habit
I sometimes repeat myself. I sometimes repeat myself

Favorite Movie
Currently Avatar – 3D.

Who would you most like to meet in Australia? Why?
Can’t go past Obama and Lance Armstrong. I’d like to hear what makes them tick

Sporting Interests/Background?
Running, umpiring AFL football (in the NT), triathlons, fly fishing

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
Foxy has that covered

Who will “snap” first?
I don’t know about who, but if I was betting on something snapping first I’d have money down on Lionel’s left calf!!!

Rachel Cowling

Name
Rachel Cowling
Department
Metropolitan Fire Brigade Melbourne

Marital Status/Family Details
Single

Nickname/s
Cowza and princess rabbit

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
Coaching the U/12 boys to a Victoria Basketball Championship on the buzzer.

What motivates you?
This run motivates me. The chance to honour all of the fallen men and women of the emergency services.

Favorite Food
Nana's Roast and my other nana's stew.

Most Annoying Habit
I can never make it anywhere on time.

Favorite Movie
The Notebook, Shawshank Redemption and Dirty Dancing

Who would you most like to meet in Australia? Why?
Hugh Jackman.... Do I need to say more? Lance Armstrong, as he is such an inspirational athlete.

Sporting Interests/Background?
Played junior Footy, I also play Netball, Basketball and love my waterskiing.

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
Plugga, and Foxy will fight him for it.

Who will “snap” first?
I agree with Ben, Lionel's calf.

Nick Beattie

Name
Nick Beattie
Department
New South Wales Fire Brigades

Marital Status/Family Details
Married to Michelle. 2 girls – Taylor, 8 and Eryn, 6

Nickname/s
Bugeyes

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
Currently: having completed a couple of Ironman Triathlons. Ask me again in NY!

What motivates you?
At the moment I am being inspired and motivated by the amazing courage and commitment of young Australian solo sailor Jessica Watson. An amazing role model who has taken up one of the most challenging adventures possible. A truly outstanding and motivational Australian!!

Favorite Food
All things Italian - pasta, pizza, risotto, antipasto.

Most Annoying Habit
Thinking out loud!

Favorite Movie
Life of Brian

Who would you most like to meet in the US? Why?
Not one person specifically. I am more interested in meeting many of our American comrades and hopefully some of the people touched by the tragedy that was September 11.

Sporting Interests/Background?
Cricket, Running, Triathlon

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
Russell, but only because he will look so good in them!! The Tiara will showcase his blonde tips beautifully!

Who will “snap” first?
Foxy - The first time someone hides his hairbrush and product!!

Paul Ritchie

Name
Paul Ritchie
Department
Melbourne Fire Brigade

Marital Status/Family Details
Single. 3 awesome children: Jackson 17, Lachlan 15 , and my little Angel Molly 4

Nickname/s
" Lionel " who would of guessed having last name of Ritchie!

Sporting Achievement Most Proud Of
Watching my 2 heroes [Sons] playing football and win their Grand Finals the same day!
The 1991 Guinness World Record Nonstop Relay Run, around Australia on Highway One
17,500km in 50 days for Cystic Fibrosis.

What motivates you?
My Children, Life! Having people tell you it can’t be done! Achieving the impossible, Making dreams become reality, my work and The Tour Of Duty run and its association with the values it represents, mateship, humanity and honour.

Favorite Food
I’m with Tom Cruise - you can’t pass a Lamb Roast and Veggies! Porterhouse Steak with béarnaise sauce and a glass of Red! Pasta - anything the Italians cook is awesome!

Most Annoying Habit
Waking up from great sleep and realizing it was me who was snoring!

Favorite Movie
It has to be the Hang Over!! The Shawshank Redemption, and ... Top Gun !

Who would you most like to meet in the US? Why?
The people of America, the Firefighters, Police and emergency service workers, and share their motivation and passion.
If President Obama, Michael Jordan, or Jerry Seinfeld is free, I would be Happy to share a Latte and a chat! And when Tiger comes back, walk the fairways and a game of Golf .

Sporting Interests/Background?
Running, golf, swimming and watching my Boys and their sports

Who is going to spend the most time wearing the Tiara and ballerina’s tutu for being the biggest princess during the run?
What I’m concerned about is who would be caught wearing a Tiara and Ballerina`s tutu - now that’s a little suspect ! ........... Johnny McGirr

Who will “snap” first?
Peter Morris - alias Zoomer!!! By the time the U.S media swarm him he`ll be in need for more than one cold Budweiser!!! Go get ‘em Zoomer.