However, Kiama resident Mrs Sutherland has recovered from a week filled with early wake-up calls, blisters, flights and half marathons – all for charity. 

Mrs Sutherland completed an endurance running challenge in June/July to raise funds and awareness for national child protection advocate Bravehearts.

She tackled half marathons, completing 21km a day for seven consecutive days.

Bravehearts is an Australian charity which seeks to educate, empower and protect Australian kids from sexual assault.

Billed as “Australia’s biggest charity run to protect kids”, the Bravehearts 777 marathon challenge incorporates seven marathons in seven days in seven states/territories.  

The challenge schedule began on June 27 in Perth, eventually culminating at Australia’s largest marathon on the Gold Coast on July 3. 

“As long as you raise the money, you can do half marathons, you can walk, do 10km, whatever you can on the day,” Mrs Sutherland said. 

“There were 20 people running and as a team we raised over $315,000 for Bravehearts.

“This is Bravehearts’ biggest fundraiser. 

“It does not receive a lot of government funding. This will help so many children who suffer child sexual abuse and survivors of this horrific act.  

“Among other things we have raised enough for 13,000 counseling sessions for abused kids.”

Mrs Sutherland implemented a strict training regiment for the months leading up to the challenge. 

This included three-time Uncle Toby’s Ironman series winner Guy Andrews providing encouragement and assistance with fitness, training and motivation.

Mrs Sutherland said each day of the challenge consisted of the same routine: up at 5am, 5.30am breakfast and hotel checkout, 6.15am leave hotel, 7am start running, 1pm back to hotel for showers, 2.15pm off to airport, 8pm land in next city and 10pm bed. 

“It was a tough, grueling week,” she said.  

“What kept us all going was thinking of the kids who needed help and the funds and awareness we were raising.

“The blisters and sore feet were nothing compared to what some kids are going through.

“At each city we had people join us and tell us their stories.”

Mrs Sutherland started running little more than two years ago at the age of 43.

She completed five half marathons, two City to Surf races, two Run Wollongong races and two other fun runs prior to taking on the Bravehearts challenge. 

Mrs Sutherland owns businesses in Unanderra and Campbelltown, and trains with an outdoor training group in Kiama each morning.  

Mrs Sutherland became aware of Bravehearts while reading a running magazine, and said her goal was “to do something different” for an important cause.

“When I started looking at the charity and the numbers, it’s like one in five kids are sexually abused in Australia,” she said.

“I’m considering doing the challenge again next year. 

“It’s such a worthwhile cause, and it’s just the stories you hear along the way.”