Runner takes on seven marathons in seven days

All this week, Sari-Elle Kraemer will either be running a marathon or preparing to run the next one.

The Sydney resident and Coogee Lions Club member is running a 42km course every day for seven consecutive days across Victoria and South Australia, and started earlier today from Geelong’s Rippleside Park.

Kraemer is taking on the 295km challenge to fundraise for the National Training Centre for Lions Assistance Dogs in the Adelaide Hills.

A small group of local Lions met with Kraemer at Rippleside Park just before she started today’s marathon towards the Bellarine Rail Trail, with Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj joining her for the first few kilometres.

Tomorrow’s marathon will start on the Surf Coast, with Kraemer to run courses further and further west throughout the week.

Kraemer raised more than $126,000 through the 2024 Everest Marathon – where she was the third-highest foreign female finisher – and aims to raise raise $70,000 for the National Training Centre.

She said she wanted to use the challenge to highlight the work of assistance dogs as part of National Volunteer Week.

“Lions Assistance Dogs trains and places hearing assistance dogs, medical alert dogs for diabetics and psychiatric assistance dogs with Australians free of charge to people in need in the community,” she said.

“These dogs dedicate their lives to helping people live more independently and confidently every single day. They really are four-legged superheroes changing lives across the country.

“Three of my favourite things in life are running, making a difference, and dogs and this challenge brings all of them together.”

Kraemer said every kilometre of her marathons this week was about raising awareness and funds so more Australians can receive a life-changing assistance dog at no cost.

“The new National Training Centre is going to help dramatically increase the number of dogs Lions Assistance Dogs can provide, meaning more Australians and more families can access this incredible support sooner,” she said.

“Ultra running has taught me that we’re capable of so much more than we think. Sometimes it’s as simple as putting one foot in front of the other and if that inspires someone to get involved, donate or even just believe they can push further in their own life, then that’s incredibly powerful.”

“Lions is an organisation that allows you to make a real difference in so many ways, and I’m proud to be able to shine a light on the incredible work happening right across the country.”

Kraemer’s last marathon will finish at the Lions National Convention in Adelaide this Sunday, 24 May.

For more information, head to lionsassistancedogs.raiselysite.com/sarielle