COULD you run seven marathons in seven locations in just seven days?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly what Mount Helen grandfather Peter Mahoney is doing this week for Bravehearts\u2019 777 Marathon, raising money for the child protection organisation with every step.<\/p>\n
At 59 years old Mr Mahoney has completed more than 150 marathons, but he said participating in the charity run was particularly important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe minute I got involved with that I just knew it gave me a purpose,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got five kids and I\u2019ve got nine grandkids, so it immediately appealed to me as being such a worthy cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve just seen a real purpose in being able to do it and the challenge of course is a great one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Normally held across seven states, this year\u2019s 777 Marathon is contained to locations across Queensland only and Mr Mahoney took off in Toowoomba on Monday.<\/p>\n
Runners across the country also join the challenge virtually, and Mr Mahoney will cover around 290 kilometres before crossing the finish line in the Gold Coast on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Returning to the event for a third time, Mr Mahoney said it was important to continue talking about child abuse and support Bravehearts\u2019 work with affected children and advocacy for legislative reform.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir story is bigger than us runners. We get some of the accolades because we catch people\u2019s attention, but the bigger picture is Bravehearts and the great work that they do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a taboo subject, no one wants to talk about it, but still, child sexual abuse lurks in the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want another generation of survivors in 20 years, we\u2019re getting in at the bottom level and trying to enable kids to speak up.\u201d<\/p>\n