The Stories Behind 4 of batyr's Sydney Marathon Runners
August 06, 2026
Training for a marathon asks a lot of you. Months of early alarms. Long runs when you'd rather stay in bed. Pushing through discomfort, doubt and fatigue. So why do it?
For some of this year’s TCS Sydney Marathon runners, the answer isn't simply to cross a finish line. They're running because mental health has touched their lives in deeply personal ways, and they want more young people to have access to the education, conversations and support that can change a life.
With race day now just weeks away, we wanted to share some of our fundraisers’ stories inspiring every step.
For Lucy, running the TCS Sydney Marathon is a chance to stay connected to a cause that's deeply personal while taking on one of her biggest physical challenges yet. Having experienced mental ill-health in her early twenties, she understands firsthand how important it is for young people to know they're not alone.
"Having lived experience of mental ill-health early on in my twenties, I see the importance of championing lived experience stories and continuing to highlight the importance of reaching out for help when you need it."
Through her fundraising, Lucy hopes more young people feel confident reaching out before things become overwhelming.
"I hope it continues to normalise the conversation around mental health, encourage young people to reach out for support, and most of all break down the stigma that if you're going through a challenging time, you're not weak and you're not alone. With the right support around you and the right tools, I hope young people can truly enjoy life and bloom."
For Jack, the decision to run started with seeing a friend sign up for batyr's team, but his motivation runs much deeper. After losing a close friend, JJ, Jack saw the impact mental health challenges can have on families, friends and entire communities.
"When our good mate JJ passed away, that was definitely the moment that connected not just myself but all of JJ's friends and family to a cause like this."
He hopes his fundraising helps create a future where mental health conversations are more open and less burdened by stigma.
"If mental health is something that's more talked about, I feel it won't be as judged and such a burden on people. If all the money I've raised can help just one person, change their mental health from a dark spot and prevent something bad from happening, I think that's a win."
For batyr storyteller Nick, this marathon feels like coming full circle. Years ago, a batyr@school program helped him recognise that what he was experiencing wasn't something he had to face alone.
“batyr came me in high school, and it was a whole school talk, and it was during that that I first realised that I wasn’t feeling the way that I should be feeling, and it started me on my help-seeking journey and it means that today I am so much happier than I was then. If that can happen for other people that’s really important.”
Now, he's hoping to make sure more young people have that same opportunity.
“What I hope happens by fundraising for batyr is that I hope more people get to go to a batyr program. It’s sad to me that there’s kids in high school or in university who don’t know how to look after their friends or recognise that their friends are having a tough time, or even can’t recognise that they’re having a tough time themselves.” says Nick.
“If a batyr program means that they realise that something’s not right, or if it helps them feel confident to ask their friend ‘Hey, what’s going on I’ve noticed you've not been showing up to things” and that starts a conversation, than I think that’s worth every dollar spent because that can change people’s lives - I know it changed my life.”
For CJ, taking on the Sydney Marathon has always been on the bucket list. But when he finally decided to sign up, he knew he wanted to do it for something bigger than crossing a finish line. He's running in memory of his close mate, whose passing in April 2025 had a profound impact on everyone who knew him.
"Running a marathon has always been something I've wanted to take on, but I wanted it to be about something bigger than myself. The Sydney Marathon felt like the perfect opportunity to test myself while raising awareness and funds for batyr, who are doing incredible work in supporting young people's mental health."
Like many of batyr's fundraisers, CJ's motivation is deeply personal.
"I'm running this marathon in memory of my close mate, JJ, who we sadly lost in April 2025. His loss has had a lasting impact on so many people and shown how important it is to empower young people to speak up and know they're not alone."
Through every kilometre and every donation, CJ hopes to help create a future where more young people feel able to seek support without fear or stigma.
"I hope that my fundraising for batyr brings much needed awareness and support to mental health. I know that it will help batyr continue to break down the stigma that prevents so many people from speaking up and seeking help."
Every fundraiser on team batyr has their own reason for showing up on race day; some are running in memory of people they've lost. Some are running because of their own experiences. Others are giving back to the organisation that changed their life.
Whatever brought them here, they're proving that fundraising is about so much more than crossing a finish line. It's about creating conversations that might not have happened otherwise. It's about helping the next young person recognise they deserve support. And it's about making sure more young Australians have access to the education that can change lives.
With just weeks to go until the TCS Sydney Marathon, our runners are entering the final stretch of training, and we'd love your support. Whether you donate to one of our incredible fundraisers, cheer them on from the sidelines, or decide to take on your own challenge for batyr, you'll be helping create a future where every young person feels empowered to speak up, seek help early and support the people around them.