PHOTO: Coonamble Run Club saw a huge turnout of runners on Saturday 9 May as community members showed their support for local fund raiser Marnie Ryan as she completed her furthest run yet (21.5km) in preparation for the Brisbane Half Marathon event in June.
Former Coonamble local Marnie Ryan is taking fundraising for cancer research to the next level as she prepares to run the Brisbane Rio Tinto Half Marathon in June in memory of Deb Ibbott, a beloved family friend lost to cancer.
Apart from the energy gels, maybe a carb-load and the cheering on the sidelines of the Brisbane Rio Tinto Half Marathon course, the 24 year old has a huge motivator pushing her across the finish line.
Marnie is running for donations to the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation.
“Cancer has unfortunately played a huge part in my life,” she said.
“I’ve had family, friends and community members affected by cancer.”
She decided to fundraise for a charity researching cures for cancers across the nation to help end the diseases.
“I’m running and raising money in memory of my friends, family and Coonamble locals who have been affected by cancer.”
Initially, Marnie set a fundraising goal of three thousand dollars.
“To my surprise, and with the help of our supportive community, I’ve smashed it.”
As of May 11 she has raised $5,500. Jumping over a grand over the weekend.
Out of all the competitors in the Rio Tinto race, Marnie is the top fundraiser, as of May 11.
“I think around 90% of donations [money] has come from Coonamble,” she said.
Locals wanted to get on board as much as they could.
Although the race is in Brisbane, the Coonamble Run Club wanted to help Marnie push through to the finish line, even if it meant they could not attend.
For the longest run in her training program, the club jogged alongside Marnie dressed in Cure Cancer Australia caps.
The run on Saturday 9 May marked Marnie’s first attempt at a half marathon.
“It’s the furthest I’ve ever run.”
Local joggers jumped in from the start of the run, at the 15KM, 10KM or at the 5KM.
Over 35 people came to watch or run alongside Marnie. Many of the keen runners tackled their own longest distance goals.
Locals Tessa Parry and Darryl Foster completed the entire 21.1 kilometre course alongside Marnie.
This run also marked Darryl’s first half marathon.
With almost no long-distance training prior, he said it was good to run towards a charity so meaningful to Coonamble.
“Deb had a huge impact in the community,” he said.
Run Club organiser Tessa Parry said Marnie motivated her to complete the run too.
“It was a huge effort and achievement for her,” Tessa said.
“She’d been challenging herself so much with her running and fundraising that I thought I could also challenge myself to do something difficult for a good cause.”
Marnie said with one half marathon under her running belt, she feels ready for the race in June.
If you would like to donate you can do so by visiting: https://bmf26.grassrootz.com/curecancer/marnie-ryan