Completing a marathon is the ultimate goal for many long-distance runners, but imagine running a marathon every day for seven days.
That’s the challenge facing Point Cook’s Dani McLaren, who intends to run seven marathons in seven days in seven states in June as part of the Bravehearts’ 777 challenge.
Bravehearts is a national child protection advocacy group that aims to educate, empower and protect Australian kids from sexual assault.
It’s the third year running Ms McLaren has taken on the challenge, and this year she plans to raise $10,000.
She says every child deserves to feel safe, and be safe, from harm.
“One in five Australian children is sexually assaulted and being a mum and also a primary school teacher, it’s just really close [to home],” she said.
The 38-year-old is running about 60 kilometres a week in the lead-up to the event, citing the capital city trail around Melbourne as one of her favourite training spots.
But Ms McLaren says being physically fit is only half the battle.
On day six of the challenge last year, she had a fall at the seven-kilometre mark, twisted her ankle and cut her knee open – but continued running.
“It’s a matter of getting through each marathon, each day. It’s a mental challenge. Some days your legs are sore and you think you can’t go on, but you think of the children, and they’ve got no choice.”
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