The pair was greeted by friends and family at the final stop of the six-day journey, the Maidens Inn Caravan Park.
Running about 40km a day, Kennedy and Vowles navigated 200km all-up in a gruelling endeavour, all to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.
Kennedy and Vowles ran in memory of Shane Maher, the father of close friend Nick who passed away in January 2021 following a seven-year battle with lymphoma.
From April 10 to 16, the men’s route took them through Riddells Creek, Lancefield, Heathcote, Toolleen and Rochester before crossing into town on Saturday.
The finish line marked the end of a monumental effort, one staged amid the ongoing struggles of the pandemic.
And through that effort, it was revealed at the post-run celebration that the fundraiser had raised $24,000, with that total set to be even higher.
The pair expressed their thanks to all involved in putting the event together.
“(Josh) stuck by my side every step of the way,” Vowles said.
“There’s no way I would have made it without him by my side. I don’t understand how he made it — this man was falling apart on day two.
“To the Maher family, it’s one thing for us to come up with the idea, but for you guys to accept it, take it on and support us the entire way, it takes a special family to do that.
“It’s hard losing a family member — last year it was tough.
“The resilience you have shown to be there with us every step of the way; massive hats off.
“Everyone that stopped to cheer us on along the way, that meant a lot especially in the back half of the run.
“Everyone who donated, we can’t thank you enough.
“We never thought it would turn into something as big as it has, but we are so grateful.”
"The amount of work (organiser Chloe Bartlett) has put in has been phenomenal.
“I can tell you Josh and I wouldn’t be standing here right now without what Chloe did.”
The ceremony concluded with a toast to Shane Maher.
“I have no doubt that he was watching from above, and he was with us every step of the way,” Vowles said.
