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General News

11 April, 2024

Team hike for mental health

Heather Leach, Gillian Cain, Jaclyn Beer, Julie Piening and Nicole Liddicoat will take part in the 100 kilometre Great Aussie Hike to raise money for Beyond Blue. The team named Blister Sisters will trek across two 50 km courses through the Wombat...

By Maryborough Advertiser

Jaclyn Beer, Heather Leach and Gillian Cain are all geared up to tackle the Great Aussie Hike later this month.
Jaclyn Beer, Heather Leach and Gillian Cain are all geared up to tackle the Great Aussie Hike later this month.

Heather Leach, Gillian Cain, Jaclyn Beer, Julie Piening and Nicole Liddicoat will take part in the 100 kilometre Great Aussie Hike to raise money for Beyond Blue.

The team named Blister Sisters will trek across two 50 km courses through the Wombat State Forest, travelling from Blackwood to Daylesford on Friday, April 26, then from Moorabool to Daylesford on Saturday, April 27.

After completing similar endurance events in the past, Ms Beer said her friends were keen to join in on the fun.

“I did the 30 km Great Aussie Hike last year and Nicole messaged me saying if I ever consider doing a walk again to let her know,” she said.

“When registrations came up for this year, I suggested 50 km to her and she went why not 100 km and I just went sure how hard can it be.”

While the group knows the hike will not be as easy as walking on sunshine, Ms Cain said preparations and morale in the lead up to the event have made the task seem less daunting.

“It has been quite a process in preparation, there is compulsory individual kits, you have to have at least two litres of water on you and sufficient support crews with you,” she said.

“We have just all been out individually doing our training sessions and preparing for the day.

“We did 22 km together and I think a lot of us were more comfortable when we completed that — we were pretty nervous about the distance and then we all just got to talking and before we knew it was all over.”

The Great Aussie Hike was established in 2020 as an opportunity to aid mental and physical health during extended periods of isolation and lockdown.

What was originally expected to be a one time event, has blossomed into an annual gathering with donations to teams going to Beyond Blue.

Ms Leach, who is also training for a 100 km ultramarathon in September, said running and walking constantly has had a positive impact on her overall wellbeing.

“It is a great group activity for your mental health — hiking really helps clear your head while you’re outdoors and gives you the opportunity to chat with your friends,” she said.

“It also allows you to push yourself physically which is great because once you finish, the sense of pride and achievement when you complete it is amazing.”

For more information, or to donate, visit greataussiehike.com.
au/t/blister-sisters

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