They’ll need every last gram of the energy bars, glucose-filled gels, Vegemite sandwiches and almonds, and each drop of fluid if they’re to arrive on their feet at Goulburn Base Hospital tomorrow.

The young physiotherapists are hours from embarking on a challenge of extreme proportions.

At 5am they’ll depart the lawns of Yass Hospital on bicycles and pedal 112km to Crookwell, passing en route through Jerrawa, Dalton and Gunning.

At a rendezvous point in Crookwell, they’ll stack the bikes in support cars, lace up a pair of joggers each and run a full-length marathon to the hospital’s Goldsmith Street entrance.

There’s more to the pair’s quest than personal gratification.

Macdonald and Kouis are on a journey to raise $15,000 – sufficient money to purchase a bladder scanner for the Goulburn Base Hospital.

One the eve of the ride, the campaign has amassed a tick over $14,000 in donations and pledges, and by the time money courtesy of final contributions and fundraising stalls is added, will have reached its target.

The last – and most difficult – hurdle is ‘arriving alive’ tomorrow. “In terms of training, we’ve backed right off now so we’re in peak form [tomorrow],” said Macdonald, a physiotherapist on secondment in Goulburn from Westmead Hospital.

“We’ve worked hard, now it’s about getting it done.

We have to make sure we finish.” The duo will be accompanied on the road by support cars at the rear and front.

A pack of carefully selected energy foods and drink – containing up to three times the average recommended daily intake of calories - will be tucked away in one of the vehicles.

“We’re going to have the equivalent of two Christmas dinners – solid ones - or almost three times what a normal person might eat in a day to help us along,” Macdonald said.

Also helping is the motivation provided by hundreds of locals and dozens of businesses who’ve supported their campaign.

Most of the goals the 23-year-old set himself upon arriving in Goulburn in December have been reached.

The money is raised. A bladder scanner will soon be an asset of Goulburn Base Hospital. All that remains unachieved is a 112km bike ride and a 42km run. By 1.30pm tomorrow, the mission will be accomplished.

Fol low @LloydScroope