Merewether's Benn Coubrough will attempt to run 276 kilometres on Friday and Saturday.
The 37-year-old will leave Queens Wharf in Newcastle at 4am. He aims to reach Macquarie Place in Sydney within 39 hours and 50 minutes.
Such a time would break a record for the Great North Walk, an iconic trail that links Newcastle and Sydney.
Mr Coubrough is using the run to raise money for Hunter Medical Research Institute's Sports Concussion Clinic.
He is also running for his dad Mark, who experienced a major stroke eight years ago. Benn cared for him during his recovery.
"My dad benefited from participating in an HMRI stroke research project."
In the days before the race, Mr Coubrough was "getting into the right mindset".
"It's about making sure everything is prepped, so I have time to get in the zone and focus. I'm looking forward to it."
He'll stop at checkpoints every 20 to 30 kilometres to meet his crew, who will help him refill water bottles and refuel with a carbohydrate and electrolyte drink for energy.
If needed, he'll change shoes and clothes and apply first aid at these checkpoints, which will also provide time to reset and refocus and look towards the next stop.
It helps to break the run down into shorter routes, rather than focusing on the whole distance.
"I know the course. There's different terrain and sections that will be a lot harder than others," he said.
When he starts to struggle, he'll give himself a "mental reset".
"I might yell out, 'Come on Benn', or use an F-word or something like that to snap me out of it. If you voice things, it shocks you more."
He'll use mantras and cues and techniques like slapping himself in the face.
"My dad's a massive part of why I'm doing this and who I am. I'll think about the sacrifices that he and I have made," he said.
He'll think about people supporting him and all the "hard training sessions and tough moments".
He'll use mantras like: You've made the choice to do this, so shut up and do it; There's no limitations; The only limits are the ones you set yourself; Just do it; How bad do you want this?; Shut the f*** up and move on; Keep the ball rolling; Just get it done.
He'll be moving constantly, so he won't be able to digest too much.
"I'm going to be racing and moving fast, so I don't want to be pulling too much blood from my stomach. I need to make sure everything is going in efficiently," he said.
"At certain points, I'll have a banana or banana bread. I won't be introducing caffeine until hopefully 15 hours in."
He'll use Coca-Cola during the final 40 kilometres.
"It's pure sugar and energy," he said.
"If you go on Coke too early, then you have to stay on it to keep your sugar levels up. Otherwise, you'll crash.
"There's going to be times when I'm up and down, but as long as my hydration and fuel is at a level intake, it'll keep me balanced and keep my mind in the right space as well."
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