Zara Hamilton, who hails from a farm in Illabo, and Charlli Whiting, a Wagga girl, entered Puma’s national competition and submitted AI images of themselves swinging from trees on the African Plains like monkeys and running from lions across the Savannah.
Their entries won them the opportunity to enter the marathon, raise money for the Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer (CB4BC) Foundation with full sponsorship from Puma shoes for a week in South Africa.
Now the energetic young fitness instructors are preparing to run the Big 5 Marathon in South Africa on 13 June together with celebrities such as Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Sam Wood, Ellidy Pullin, Laura Enever, Trent Cotchin and more.
The Big 5 Marathon is a 42km run through Entabeni, one of the most spectacular reserves in South Africa. The challenging route crosses through the paths and habitats of Lions, Buffalo, Elephants, Rhino’s and Leopards. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates the runners from the African wildlife.
In addition to this the girls will be running at altitudes ranging from 3,830 feet up to 5,580 feet above sea level on terrains varying between sand, dirt and concrete. By no means a leisurely jog through the savannah.
The girls commenced a sudden and rigorous training regime and ran their first ever half marathon distance recently.
Zara said, “once we came down from the high and excitement of winning this incredible opportunity, we then thought wow, neither of us have ever run a marathon and we have just 3 weeks to train for it.”
Charlli said, “knowing we just managed a half marathon and still feel pretty good we now are confident we can get through the 42km, even if we have to walk some. Plus we want to take in the moment while we are there. Hopefully it will be wow there goes a Rhino or am I really running past a lion.”
To help raise money for CB4BC, Zara and Charlli hosted a Run Club event, fitness class and BBQ at Bunkr Gym in Thompson Street on Monday of the June Long weekend, the day before they fly out, and hoped to raise some serious funds for the cause.
Zara and Charlli have Five Big Reasons why they are right behind this cause and are hoping the Wagga community will be as well.
“- We train to get uncomfortable. Pushing through pain is part of our everyday in the gym – but nothing compares to the suffering cancer brings. This run is our way of pushing limits for those who don’t get to choose theirs.
“- Fitness is our foundation – but purpose is our fuel. We’re passionate about using our strength and stamina for something bigger: raising funds and awareness that drive real change.
“- It’s more than a race. It’s a chance to connect with a powerful community of people who are choosing courage, compassion, and action over comfort and silence.
“- There’s still no cure. Progress only happens through research – and research needs funding. We’re here to make noise, move the needle, and back the science that saves lives.
“- We haven’t faced brain cancer in our own families – and we don’t take that for granted. We’re running for the countless people who have. Just because we’ve been lucky doesn’t mean we stay silent. We’re showing up for those who can’t.
“We would love to share our story and encourage Junee to get behind us, to follow us on this last minute, exciting and no doubt incredible journey.”
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