Child protection charity, Bravehearts, is calling all Australians to get running with the launch of its seventh annual 777 Marathon, challenging 39 national runners to tackle seven marathons over seven days, but this year, there's a big difference.
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Bravehearts representative Kayleen Johnston, a sexual assault survivor whose personal experience drove her parents to start the organisation, said instead of running a marathon in seven different states, the seven marathons this year will take place in seven Queensland locations, including Mount Isa
"We were forced to cancel our major fundraiser last year due to COVID-19, so this year, with continued uncertainty around border closures, we wanted to ensure the event would go ahead," Kayleen said.
"This year our national runners will be taking on seven marathons in seven days throughout Queensland including Brisbane, Townsville, and Mount Isa," she said.
Bravehearts is calling on children's champions who can't travel to Queensland to take on the marathon virtually.
Kayleen is appealing to anyone, no matter where they are in Australia, to register for the virtual event with distances of 7km, 14km, 21km and 42km on offer.
"You don't need to be a professional athlete, you just need determination and a passion for protecting Aussie kids. The Bravehearts 777 is getting bigger every year as more people strive to take big steps for little people, and we are not going to let a pandemic slow us down," she said.
The 777 Marathon is the charity's major annual fundraiser with all funds raised used to support vital counselling and support services, as well as sexual assault prevention programs.
Kicking off in Toowoomba on June 28, Bravehearts' 777 will work its way through Brisbane, Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay before culminating at the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday, July 4.
To register for the 777 Virtual Marathon or to join the 777 marathon in person when it travels through your town or city, register online at www.bravehearts.org.au/777.
"It's such a boost for the national runners when locals make the effort to join them, even for a lap or two," Kayleen said.
The Mount Isa marathon is on at 7am, Wednesday, June 30 at Lake Moondarra with distances of 7km or 14km or 21km or 42km.
Other events are at Toowoomba (June 28), Brisbane (June 29), Cairns (July 1), Townsville (July 2), Mackay (July 3) and Gold Coast (July 4).
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