A runner’s reminder, ‘you’re not alone’

IF you’ve ever cycled, jogged or walked a section of the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail, you’ll be familiar with the picturesque but challenging path.

Ballarat runner, Emma Donald has chosen the trail as the location for one of two charity marathons she’s gearing up to complete in the next four weeks, all while raising money for Beyond Blue.

On Saturday, 21 November, Donald will run 42 kilometres of the trail from Pittong into Ballarat, and then a second marathon on Saturday, 5 December around a friends’ property in Amphitheatre.

“I started running after having my daughters, and have run more half-marathons than I can count or even remember, so this year I wanted to take the next step; a full marathon,” she said.

“I personally struggle with anxiety and depression, and I have had family members suicide, so I am trying to raise awareness and funds for a cause that is very close to my heart.

“I want to try and lessen the stigma of mental illness, and this will also be the first time I ever run a marathon.”

Donald said she has always been open about her mental challenges so others in her life in a similar position can understand “it’s ok to not be ok,” and they aren’t isolated.

“Because of COVID, this has been one tough year. A lot of people have struggled, and I personally have struggled too, so that’s why I want to do this now, raise awareness and remind people they’re not alone.

“I want these people to know that you don’t need to do this by yourself, and even though you may be in a very dark time, things will get better with the right help,” she said.

“It hasn’t always been easy for me to get out and go for a run, sometimes excruciatingly difficult, but I have found that my love of running has gotten me through the tough, dark times, and I have never run so much in my life.”

Her “ultimate goal” is to run the whole length of the 53-kilometre Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail in 2021, but for now, Donald just wants to generate as much funding as she can for Beyond Blue.

Visit bit.ly/2JJNBkh to show your support, or instagram.com/your.happy.pace and facebook.com/yourhappypace to follow Donald’s training and efforts.