Category: Series 1

Shelley Bennett discovered a love of running thanks to her daughter Jess’ Grade 5 school teacher.

Six years ago elite local runner Brady Threlfall was Jess’ teacher, and he was encouraging his class to participate in Sweat vs Steam.  Shelley, who was 46 at the time, decided to train with Jess and before she knew it, she was able to run 5kms.

A few months later her husband Tim also followed, and running is now something they enjoy as a couple.  Shelley is grateful for this shared passion, particularly as they both understand the commitment and dedication required to prepare for running events, which they both love to do.

Shelley is what I would describe as a serious runner.  She runs most days, and the days she doesn’t she is at the gym, working on her strength.  A typical week could see Shelley running up to 60kms, several gym sessions, a swim and maybe parkrun.

Running has had a positive impact on her health and wellbeing and has greatly expanded her and Tim’s social networks.

Running has taught Shelley that anything is possible – and that to achieve running and other life goals the ingredients include dedication, resilience and persistence.

Shelley embraces the challenges of running – whether it is the frosty winter morning early runs where her hands turn white or the endless “bloody” toe nails, Shelley can always see the bright side of a situation.

Much to her daughter’s amusement Shelley has a quirky sense of running fashion and can often be spotted wearing a bandanda, a backwards cap or her hair in distinctive pig tails.  Jess also commented on her mum’s busy life where there’s always something to be done – like Strava to be checked, PB’s to log, setting out her running clothes for her early morning run or planning catch-ups with her running friends.

In 2020 Shelley has some ambitious goals.  She is currently trying to build a bigger base and has the Great Ocean Road 44 km in May in her sights. Then it is the 50km Ned Kelly Chase at Wangaratta in October.   She believes that one day a 100km will be possible with the right training, and wants to embrace what she can do while she can do it.

Shelley feels blessed to be surrounded by so many positive people in the local running community.  Thanks to running Shelley says life is good, she not only feels fantastic but she feels a special sense of freedom.

Just before her 29th birthday, and after a good few years of saving and planning, Rachael decided to take a career break and left Dublin to travel and see the world.

After eight months of backpacking in Russia, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, she moved to Melbourne in March 2019.

With a plan to live and work in Australia for only six months it quickly became obvious that six months was not going to be enough! Although already ticking off her Oz Bucket list the Grampians, Phillip Island, Wilsons Prom, Great Ocean Road, Harbour Bridge Climb, Perth and Rottnest Island there’s still lots more for her to see and do.

Some of her favourite things about living in Oz include the friendly people with an accent she loves, how absolutely everyone and everything has a nickname, amazing wildlife, delicious brunch food and coffee, and the healthy outdoor lifestyle.

She lived in St Kilda from March to Nov 2019 and worked at Monash University as a Development Coordinator for the “Change It. For Good.“ campaign, the largest public fundraising initiative in the uni’s history.

It was through Monash that Rachael first began running – when she joined the Run Melbourne ‘Team Monash’, to raise money for the Asylum Seeker Scholarship fund. She was inspired by Monash’s commitment to deliver on a  campaign goal, ‘Education For All’,  one of the most generous scholarship programs in Australia.

She had tried training for a 5 km before but lost motivation and let life get in the way. But this time it felt different. She had the support of coworkers also training for the first time and Rachael knew she was running for an incredible cause.

She used a Couch to 5K app to train from April-July 2019 and raised $610 from family and friends. With every donation came a surge of motivation to keep going.

Rachael felt an incredible sense of accomplishment running 5k without stopping for the first time, and is determined to keep it up.

She joined ParkRun in Albert Melbourne  and completed the Sole Motive Sandy Point 5K in September. She also did the Jingle all the Way 5K around the Washington Monument while visiting her family in Washington D.C. this Christmas.

Rachael never thought she would be a “runner” but has come to understand why people love running so much.

“It’s a great way to clear your head, it’s free, and you can do it anywhere in the world – perfect for someone who travels quite a lot!”

Petra hadn’t been a runner, but in 2009 she had a goal to do a fun run before she turned 40. She found a running buddy to help keep motivated and not only did she do the 5kms Mothers’ Day Run but also ticked off the 10kms Carman’s Run in December, just before her 40th birthday.

Early 2010 Petra and her family moved to Echuca. She was introduced to several women who run and they have become special running friends.

By 2016 Petra, 47 year old Deputy Principal of St Mary’s Echuca was regularly running up to 12 kms, when she experienced a sudden decline in health. In a matter of months she was struggling to walk. Life became work and sleep, with no energy for anything else.

There was no explanation for Petra’s diminishing energy levels. She even bought new runners to see if this would help. She stopped going to gym and soon had to stop running.

Eventually the answer came with a call from the hospital. A blood test identified she had Leukaemia and that night she was admitted to hospital. The situation serious, but the good news was that Petra was told she would recover. Her specialist gave her hope and told her the treatment would be intense, but in six months she would be back running.

Petra spent 6 weeks in hospital in Geelong, followed by treatment one month on and one month off for six months in Bendigo. She drove herself there and back daily.

With side effects of extreme muscle pain and fatigue, she was so glad of family, a supportive workplace and her beautiful running friends.  She recalls friend Andrea asking “was she right for a walk” when she returned home.  Her running friends also slowed their running to keep her company. They helped her through 2½ years of recovery, where it was 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
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In December 2018 Petra did the Carman’s 10 km run again. Her aim was to “just do it”, but at the 9km point she checked her time and then it was “giddy up”.  She finished in 1 hour and 22 seconds. This was a turning point for Petra, life was back to normal!

Petra has now completed Carman’s Women’s Fun Run 10km again, and achieved a new PB of 57.15!

With an “all clear” Petra says she is so grateful and feels incredibly lucky. Running keeps Petra fit, helps to keep her head clear and provides wonderful connection with others.

Thanks for sharing your very personal story Petra.  Your strength, courage and determination is an inspiration. #runsisterrun

I was excited to meet Nancy Edmonstone, particularly as I’d been told the chance of an interview with this private lady was unlikely.

Nancy is an integral part of the running community in Echuca Moama as she is the wife of Laurie Edmondstone, a man who has influenced the achievements of many of the “Running Sisters” interviewed for this

Our community can be forever grateful that twenty years ago Laurie who worked for the railways at the time, visited Echuca for work and decided that he liked the weather!  Despite having just built a beautiful home in Traralgon where Nancy and Laurie had spent thirty years of married life, they decided to make the move.  Although Nancy said “Now we’re stuck” she also confessed she could never go back!

Laurie soon became involved with the running community, starting running groups and helping to establish the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club.

Nancy was keen to talk more about Laurie than herself, however from our conversation I managed to get insight into a very giving family.

Nancy is a mother to daughter Cheryl and son Tony and has 6 grandchildren. Her children have done well in their chosen careers and have healthy lifestyles, which is the most important thing to Nancy.  Her grandchildren are, amongst other things, talented cricketers and dancers and much loved by Nancy.

Supporting her family keeps Nancy busy, with regular day trips to Melbourne for coffee with Cheryl and more lengthy visits to Darwin.   She also enjoys an active lifestyle including twice weekly water aerobics, line dancing and Laurie’s exercise group at the Moama Sports Pavillion. She also enjoys catching up with friends at  local cafes for coffee.

In the past Nancy played team sports, including A grade and Open Tennis and Squash and 50 years ago she was a life saver.  She has a love of gymnastics and is an avid follower of this sport.

Prior to moving to Echuca Nancy designed wedding gowns.  This funded her children’s education and their time at the Australian School of Ballet. It gave her great pleasure to make every bride look beautiful, and her customers came from all over Australia.   Now in her spare time, she makes ballet costumes for students coached by Cheryl and sews for special occasions like her granddaughters formal.  He current project is a ballet costume for a young boy.  Unsurprisingly this is something she does for pleasure, not reward.

Although Nancy thinks her family is very ordinary, I came away from the interview with an insight into an extraordinary family.  Both Nancy and Laurie are quiet achievers, who are very giving with their time and talents.  This even includes opening up their garage remotely from Queensland during winter, so a local running group can continue their routine each Wednesday night.

Nancy gave me her phone to look at a few photos of her grandchildren.  Being camera shy the only recent photo of herself was with someone she befriended at an airport.  Nancy had noticed this young lady was upset, so Nancy lent an ear and no doubt made a difference that day.  To me this summed up Nancy’s caring and generous nature.

Nancy is proud of the many young people that Laurie has coached with running and bike running.  She loves watching their achievements locally and internationally.  She spoke of the many local groups that Laurie’s involved in, which helps people of all ages and ability.  I know from the women I’ve interviewed that Laurie and Nancy’s support is greatly appreciated. Thank you Nancy for all you do behind the scenes and for agreeing to come to Echuca Moama all those years ago!

Nancy declined having her photo taken but shared this beautiful photo of her granddaughter Bianca, wearing a costume she created.

Running and walking are routines for 49 year old Michelle Cameron. Most mornings she fits in a 30 minute walk before work, then on Saturday’s it’s parkrun day!

Michelle and her husband Mark moved to Echuca from Ballarat in 2017. They’ve been doing parkrun since it started in Ballarat around four years ago. Michelle has completed over 165 parkruns, a sure sign that she is consistent!

Michelle’s parkrun record is around 36 minutes, and while she loves a “personal best” running is about putting one foot in front of the other. She always feels better after doing parkrun no matter the time.

In addition to her daily walk and weekly parkrun Michelle works out in their home gym most nights.
Michelle has a focus on nutrition and fitness as she is wanting to do all she can to maintain her strength.

In 2006 Michelle noticed some weakness in her left leg and originally thought she had pulled a muscle. Then she experienced blurry vision in her left eye which she had investigated at the optometrist. She was referred to an ophthalmologist and after that was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

A few years later Michelle signed up to do the Tough Bloke Challenge  in Melbourne. This was her motivation to start running as she needed to be able to run at least five kms.

Starting with the Couch to 5 km training program she prepared herself for the challenging obstacle course.

Michelle said she got covered in mud and had to do “all these ridiculous things!” It must have been fun as Michelle has done the Tough Bloke Challenge twice!

Michelle has always loved walking. She finds that walking is kinder on her body than running.

Michelle is on medication to slow the MS, which involves an injection three times a week. She finds that the MS makes her muscles fatigue a lot quicker than they would otherwise, and she knows when she’s done too much.

Michelle explained that it was a very difficult time when she was first diagnosed and it took time to process. However she wants others to understand that it’s not the end of the world and that there are other things that could be worse.

Her word of encouragement to people reading her story is “Just do it!”