Hebel's artwork a special tribute

Gympie distance runner Carl Hebel likes to buck what is considered the norm. After running to the top of Mt Kosciusko to greet the sunrise on Anzac Day as a special tribute to Gympie veterans, Hebel got a tattoo across his heart after reading an article in The Gympie Times. (Inset) The tattoo across Hebel’s heart is a fitting reminder of the Anzac legacy.

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GYMPIE long distance running fanatic Carl Hebel is used to turning heads, tackling seemingly impossible distances and undertaking training runs that make a session at the gym look like child’s play.

But yesterday, Hebel, currently planning a Pre-Muster Marathon run for August, turned his attention to shocking friends and family with a brand new tattoo emblazoned across his chest.

Hebel had received a copy of The Gympie Times containing a story about his trip to the summit of Mt Kosciusko for sunrise on Anzac Day. The special climb was undertaken as a touching tribute for all Gympie veterans.

Hebel said he was touched by a passage of the article saying he had Lest We Forget “tattooed across his heart”.

Of course a symbolic phrase of his burning Anzac spirit, Hebel, an ex-service man himself, couldn’t help but take it literally.

“I wanted to make it true,” he said.

So, Hebel marched into the local tattoo parlour yesterday morning and completed the deed. It was a risky undertaking – his heart stopping a few times.

“I had to sign a form acknowledging the risks, but it’s been worth it,” he said.

Known as a “crazy bugger” by many in his life, Hebel refuses to slow down. His World Heritage Run around the world later this year is building up steam and the distance runner can’t wait, with sponsorship already sewn up.

The run will be a record breaking endeavour.