Carlton development coach Michael Osborne has been acting as a runner for the Blues on game day – but now he’s about to take running to a whole new level.

Osborne has signed up to compete in the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday 12 October.

He says running a marathon has long been a personal goal.

“Throughout my career I’ve always wanted to run a marathon,” Osborne said.

“It’s a good physical and mental test for anyone who wants to push themselves.”

And push himself he will need to, because until now Osborne says the furthest continual run he has completed is about 10km – and that was when he was still at school.

The grueling 42km Melbourne Marathon course will see participants make their way through the streets of Melbourne, around Albert Park and along the bay, finishing up at the MCG.

Osborne is hoping his run can raise $10,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, which he has been involved with for almost six years.

“I did a walk with the cerebral palsy kids a few years ago,” Osborne said.

“I had a shoulder reconstruction and was in a sling, so I couldn’t run it that year, but joined in the walk. The effort of those kids to walk a couple of kilometres, whether it was on their own or in a walker, it was a very special effort.

“Young kids who are so physically challenged, seeing them push through, it definitely gives you motivation to do it yourself.”

To help Michael Osborne reach his target for CPEC visit: http://melbournemarathon2014.gofundraise.com.au/page/Undefeeted