Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run organizers track down ‘national hero’ who sprays runners with hose

A bystander who cooled down exhausted athletes with a high-pressure hose in one hand while holding a beer in the other has received a participation medal for his ‘legendary’ efforts.

The man was holidaying at a property along the route of the annual Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run, which took place in 28 degrees Celsius heat on the Bellarine Peninsula, southwest of Melbourne. last Saturday.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, hose and a beer in hand, he helped some of the 900 participants cool down by dousing them with water from across the street.

Some runners left the trail to enjoy the soak and thank the man.

After being labeled a ‘national hero’, event organizers tracked down the man and gave him a participation medal ‘because he deserved it’.

A neighbor filmed the man hosing down the competitors and shared it on social media, where the footage has since gone viral and been viewed more than a million times.

The footage shows one of the participants giving the Good Samaritan a thumbs up as a sign of appreciation as they ran past.

It is a tradition of the event to spray runners with water as they walk through a nearby caravan park.

However, no cool relief was expected from the runners on that part of the run.

“The last thing anyone expected was a local drinking a stump and spraying it across the boulevard,” event organizer Dion wrote on Facebook.

‘Next year there may be some longer hoses on the market to keep old mate and others safe.’

The video was shared on the event’s Facebook page, where many participants paid tribute to the man.

“The snakes saved me while I was running,” one person commented.

Another added: “The cool down was much needed, thanks to everyone who helped,” a second wrote.

“This man and all the heroes in the trailer park with their snakes are my favorite part of this run.”

He received high praise from runners and social media users alike, receiving a participation award from the event organizers for his efforts

Others called the man a “national hero” for his “legendary” act.

“It’s the beer in the snake’s hand for me, thanks for your service sir,” one person commented.

‘That’s gold! What a legend,” wrote a second, while another added that “not all heroes wear capes.”

Dion later dropped off the participation medals at the man’s holiday home.

“I slipped the medals under their front door,” he said Yahoo.

‘We did receive a message that they had received the various medals and that was very much appreciated.’

Dion later posted: It’s fair to say Hose Man has been a viral hit.’

“We could be the hottest ticket in town on February 8, 2025.”