TIARNA Waight found an interest in running four years ago.<\/p>\n
She started small, gradually building up her experience before joining parkrun, the Athlete\u2019s Foot run club and then Evolution Runners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started running with them and did my first half marathon,\u201d Ms Waight said. But now, she has her sights on a more challenging goal.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, 3 November she will be in the United States running the New York City Marathon. The Run for Research, will see Ms Waight compete on behalf of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and she hopes to raise at least $10,000.<\/p>\n
She is funding her own travel expenses and all funds raised will go directly to NBCF, a close cause.<\/p>\n
Sally Waldron, Ms Waight\u2019s mum, is a survivor of breast cancer, having been diagnosed in 2013 and receiving the \u201call-clear\u201d in 2014.<\/p>\n
An email about NBCF\u2019s Run for Research encouraged Ms Waight to throw her hat in the ring. Only one person could represent the charity in New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cI applied and registered my interest,\u201d she said. \u201cI had a few ideas for fundraising\u2026 They rang me up, had a chat and rang me back the next day and said, \u2018you\u2019re in\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to November, Waight is training five times a week and anticipating New York\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll run a couple of speed, a few easy and then a long run on the weekend,\u201d she said. \u201cI like the Lake, Canadian and Yarrowee trails. Not road, but in between.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds like the crowds are good in New York and it will be cooler weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ballarat and District Trotting Club held a Harness Racing Night event last week to boost Ms Waight\u2019s fundraising and she will continue to accept donations through the year.<\/p>\n
The NBCF hopes to achieve zero breast cancer deaths by 2030.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease help me help them by giving whatever you can,\u201d Ms Waight said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more people that know about National Breast Cancer Foundation, the greater their impact.\u201d<\/p>\n