Melbourne Storm's Robbie Kearns

Why did you decide to participate in Run Melbourne, presented by The Age?
...I have always wanted to run a half-marathon and I thought if I could raise a couple of dollars for Heart Kids at the same time, everyone's a winner.

Why are you passionate about fundraising for Heart Kids?
My mother passed away two years ago from a heart attack aged 65. Not long after, I was asked if I would like to be an Ambassador for Heart Kids and I jumped at the chance. As a Heart Kids Ambassador, I visit the Children's hospital heart ward and see not only what the children go through, but also their parents, and this makes me want to do as much as I possibly can to help make a difference. I may only raise a small amount through this run, but hopefully it will help in some way.

What inspired you to start running?
After I retired from professional sport it was a good way to stay fit, whilst still be able to enjoy a beer or three. I also tell my children there are two parts to a healthy lifestyle - exercise and diet. So, I should at least be setting them a good example.

Is running important in your occupation as both a rugby player and your role with Melbourne Storm now?
Any form of exercise is important when you are a professional sportsperson, so yes when I was playing and now in my Melbourne Storm Ambassador role (in which I have a hand in a coaching) I feel staying fit helps me keep up and stay young with the team in and around training.

What are your goals for Run Melbourne?
To cross the finish line standing upright rather than on all fours...

Kate Smyth

What inspired you to take part in Run Melbourne and join team AXA?
I felt it was a great opportunity to share some of my knowledge and experience with others that are like-minded and motivated to take on the challenge. It is a treat for me to be in Australia in winter and running... just for fun.

Tell us about your journey from starting out to representing Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics...
I came back from overseas in my late 20's very unfit and decided I needed to lose some weight so I decided to run a marathon with the aim of finishing without walking. I am now 20kgs lighter than when I started to train for my first marathon. I was inspired when I went to the Sydney Olympics in 2000 as a spectator and watched the women's marathon won by Tagahashi of Japan. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and my Olympic dream was born.

I started to train seriously and steadily improved over many years setting personal best times most years. I started to race against the world's best in Europe, America and Japan and loved the challenge. Running in front of a home crowd at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games was a great stepping stone and learning experience for me. In 2008 my dream came true when I ran for Australia in the 2008 Beijing Olympics women's marathon.

What has been your happiest moment in running so far?
When I had the perfect marathon race in 2008 in Nagano, Japan. It felt like effortless energy in motion. I rebounded from a serious liver condition in 2007 which prevented me from running for many months to set a massive personal best time of 2hrs 28 minutes - one of the fastest Australian all time women's times and the fastest women's Australian qualification time for the 2008 Olympics.

How often do you train?
When in marathon preparation I can do up to 3 times a day (this would include 2 runs and a strength session) covering between 180-200 kms a week. On Sundays my long run is several hours.

What do you enjoy the most about taking the training sessions for the AXA team?
AXA are a fun and enthusiastic group of people who are prepared to have a go and support others. The team have very positive energy and I really admire their health and fitness wellbeing values that are supported from the top down through their health and wellbeing program and Olympic partnership program.

Team Callum's Sarah Hose

What are your goals for Run Melbourne?
To get the team together, raise as much as possible for our cause, support our friends and finish the run in under 55 minutes!

Why are you passionate about fundraising for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute?
Our friends have chosen this charity on behalf of their little man who is fighting a brain tumour (pictured left). They do research into childhood diseases and brain tumours in particular so it was the best cause for us to support. No family should have to go through such a heartbreaking journey.

Are any of your family or friends participating in the event with you?
We currently have 50 members in Team Callum and it builds every day so yes there are many friends and family doing the run. There are a lot I have never met who have connections to the little man we are running for but I look forward to meeting them on the day.

How do you fit training into your life?
I train six days a week including netball training and a game. Actual running is 5 days of that, outside around the streets near home when the weather permits but at the moment a lot of time is spent on the treadmill at my local gym! I have been known to head out in the rain. I train when I get a spare hour! My husband walks in from work and I head out or I wait until the boys are in bed and go out at night. I'm very grumpy if I don't get out and exercise so we work together to make it happen.

Anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to the Run Melbourne team for allowing us to be able to raise money for such a great cause. It is bringing everyone together and showing our friends loads of support. We are hoping to reach the $20,000 mark before the run and hope this goes a long way to helping many seriously ill children but most of all our little hero Callum. They are one amazing family and I am proud to call them my friends.

Anna Lawton

What are your goals for Run Melbourne?
I've been running on and off for the last 12 months with my running buddy Louise, and thought this would be a really great event to run in again, to see how well we have progressed in a year. I would love to run in 25mins or less, but as long as I beat last year's time of 28:55, I'll be happy.

When I'm really struggling, I'll focus on how much support my friends and family have shown in donating to Alzheimer's Australia. I hope that this will get me over the line just that little bit faster!

Why are you passionate about fundraising for Alzheimer's Australia?
Alzheimers and dementia affects 2 members of my extended family. My father-in-law, who is far too young to be afflicted with this illness, has Alzheimers. Seeing how this impacts on his life is simply heartbreaking. My Nana-in-law also suffers from dementia. She was once the matriarch of her family, a strong and kind woman, who would do anything for you, and cooked a feast every Sunday. Also, in my job I see a lot of sons and daughters whose parents are in similar circumstances. It highlights that more than just the person suffering is affected by these illnesses. From the person themselves, to their spouse, siblings, perhaps even their own parent/s, sons, daughters, grandchildren. It has a quiet ripple effect.

What do you hope to achieve by raising funds for Alzheimer's Australia?
Raising awareness that there is such an organisation for one thing. They offer support to those suffering from Alzheimers and their families, and I think that's an outstanding community service. And, to contribute towards the research into the causes and treatments for Alzheimers and dementia.

Why do you run? And how important is running in your life?
Running is free! Free from gym memberships and contracts, free from children clinging to my legs, free from work stress, and free to clear my head. I was just thinking tonight on my run, that being out tonight is also doing something for myself, and that is extremely important and something I often forget to do.

Do you train with anyone? 
I once thought running was a solitary sport - and whilst it is to some extent, I believe I have run more and had more motivation to run better since training with Louise.

'Couch potatoes' Tulsi Patel and Brad Marshall

What inspired you to take part in Run Melbourne and join Team AXA?
Tulsi: I was looking for a way to challenge myself - if it contributed to my health and fitness goals along the way it would be a bonus. And what do you know? The Run Melbourne opportunit y presented itself.
Brad: Having recently had an operation on a leaking heart valve in February, I was looking for a steady regime to reclaim some fitness. Raising some money for the Very Special Kids charity is a nice bonus.

You're now half-way through the training programme, can you feel a difference?
Brad: I have definitely noticed a change in my fitness - providing I pace myself, the jogging is getting easier with every training session.
Tulsi: I've noticed a huge difference in my fitness and energy levels. When I started training with Team AXA I could only run for 10 metres but last Thursday I completed a one kilometre run! My work colleagues have noticed the difference too, including my higher energy levels.

What has been your biggest personal achievement along the way so far?
Tulsi: For me it was being able to run one kilometre within six weeks of starting the training - I couldn't finish 100 metres to start with.
Brad: I don't think I've got there yet - jogging for 30 minutes without any walking will be the big one for me.

Why are you passionate about fundraising for the Very Special Kids?
Tulsi: Having to care for a child with life threatening illness is something nobody plans for. The emotional strain this has on families is huge and as if that is not enough, there's the added financial strain. I like that Very Special Kids provide support to families in these circumstances.
Brad: Very Special Kids charity supports children with very serious illnesses, how could you not? Having personally just had heart surgery myself, my now normally functioning heart goes out to the kids that may not fully understand their magnitude of their battle.

Anything else you would like to add?
Tulsi: For anyone who finds themselves stuck in a routine and wants out... I'd like to say this -
Set yourself an aspirational goal. Don't let the how stop you. Once you have a goal and the determination to achieve it - the road will appear on its own. It has for me. I registered for the 5km when I couldn't run for even a minute. Today, I can run for 10 minutes and feeling confident about the 5km. If I can do it - anyone can
Brad: To my training group, Go Team AXA! It's been a pleasure, and to everyone else, look me up on the Run Melbourne website, search for ‘Lightning' and donate a couple of bucks.