{"id":122862,"date":"2026-06-09T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/?p=122862"},"modified":"2026-06-03T16:17:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T06:17:31","slug":"big-brave-runs-for-child-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/news\/big-brave-runs-for-child-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Big, brave runs for child safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR 64-year-old marathon runner Peter Mahoney, it’s not about how you get somewhere, it’s getting there that makes a difference.<\/p>\n

The Mount Helen resident will compete in his eighth Bravehearts 777 Marathon later this month.<\/p>\n

The event sees runners complete seven marathons during seven days across seven cities for a total of 295.4 kms.<\/p>\n

“I run around like a little old crooked man, but we’re not talking about times here,” he said.<\/p>\n

“If I have to walk a bit, run a bit, walk a bit, run a bit, I do.”<\/p>\n

Bravehearts is a child protection organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n

A survivor of abuse, Mahoney said competing in the challenge provided fulfilment.<\/p>\n

“When I was looking for a way forward to sort of get some worth out of the marathons, Bravehearts was just a great marriage,” he said.<\/p>\n

He said continuing to promote the issue was important.<\/p>\n

“If that takes being a silly old bugger running a lot of kilometers to get some attention, then that’s what I do,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We don’t want someone in 20 or 30 years’ time to have another historical incident come out. We want to stop it now.”<\/p>\n

His training regime consisted of a few runs every week with a marathon every month.<\/p>\n

“I try and run every couple of days if I can, and that’s just sort of a natural thing for me,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I try and go 21kms. But if I pull up a bit sore at 15kms, I turn around and come home. I’m not strict about it. I’m really a weekend warrior.”<\/p>\n

Bravehearts chief executive officer Alison Geale said the 777 Marathon was more than a physical challenge.<\/p>\n

“In 2025, Australians raised almost $1m through the 777 Marathon, and in 2026 we’re asking communities right across the country to get behind this event again,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Whether you run, walk, volunteer, donate or cheer from the sidelines, you are helping Bravehearts create a safer future for Australian children.”<\/p>\n

To support Mahoney visit bravehearts.grassrootz.com\/bravehearts-777-2026\/peter-mahoney<\/a><\/p>\n

If you or anyone you know is dealing with issues resulting from sexual or physical abuse help is available from CASA on 5320 3933 or 1800 806 292, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, or 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FOR 64-year-old marathon runner Peter Mahoney, it’s not about how you get somewhere, it’s getting there that makes a difference. The Mount Helen resident will compete in his eighth Bravehearts 777 Marathon later this month. The event sees runners complete seven marathons during seven days across seven cities for a total of 295.4 kms. “I […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":122870,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-122862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBig, brave runs for child safety - Ballarat Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Support the Bravehearts 777 Marathon to prevent child abuse. 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