Why these Wollongong inspirations are running seven marathons in seven days

It's all for an important cause however. The pair will take part in the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, which aims to raise money for the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.

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"It's a pretty easy why. We're doing it for the kids," Wolves GM Upton said.

"Bravehearts is a charity that supports many kids that have been abused sexually within Australia. They are an incredible charity that works tirelessly throughout the year.

"The stats within Australia are quite scary. One in four kids are sexually abused in Australia. One in three are girls, one in five are boys, and most that are abused are under the age of eight. So it's a pretty easy why to run seven marathons in seven days across seven states.

The Upton's will begin their gruelling journey this Sunday, June 30 in Perth, and then travel to Adelaide, Canberra, Launceston, Melbourne, and Sydney, before ending at the Gold Coast Marathon on July 7. That's a total of 294 kilometres in seven days.

They will know what to expect after competing in the same event in 2023, where they raised just a touch over $50,000.

In 2024, they are hoping to surpass this goal. Right now they are in the midst of preparations for what is going to be an insane challenge.

"The days will start around 5:30am and finish at 10:30pm," Upton continued.

"Then you fly interstate overnight. So when we're at the airport it's all about getting the massage guns out, stretching, eating, drinking as much water as possible, and getting in protein and carbs. Last year we averaged around six to seven hours of sleep per night.

"There will be roaming masseuses throughout the trip so they will be important. We can also jump in the ocean if we're close.

"We're there with 27 other athletes. So we're all in it together."

Mark will be accompanied by his father Brian, who not only competed in the first ever Coolangatta Gold in 1984, but also qualified and competed in three Olympic distance world championship events. The 72-year-old also qualified five times for the World Ironman Championships in Kona Hawaii.

"I've got three kids, my sister has two kids, and dad has got five grandkids. So it's important that we do as much as we can to strengthen the awareness of Bravehearts across Australia. It's even better having my dad running with me."

If you would like to donate to the cause, you can support directly by going to Mark and Brian's social media pages, in the bio of both 2uppystri and brianuppy_. Alternatively, you can donate here.

Police detective Jason Quigley has already run 6700 kilometres during the last 10 months to prepare for the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, it almost makes next week's 295kms look like a stroll in the park.

Seven marathons in seven days in seven states would push anyone to their limits and this tough cop admits he's nervous and excited.

The first marathon (42.195kms for the uninitiated) is in Perth on Monday, July 1. The following day it's the Adelaide marathon, then the Melbourne marathon, you get the idea.

The week-long event raises funds for the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.

In December 2023, amid training for the marathons, Det Quigley told the Mercury it's a cause close to his heart, as he spends each day investigating child sexual assault and child abuse cases in the Illawarra.

"[It's] children who are in the care of someone that they should be able to trust," he said at the time.

The cop said perpetrators often don't think what they are doing is wrong.

Days out from flying to Perth for the first marathon and he's come down with a virus and he's on antivirals, but he's determined to see it through.

After all he didn't run those 6700kms for nothing, it's almost the equivalent of running from Wollongong to the northern Queensland tip of Australia and back again.

"It's been a lot of long, lonely days, a lot of time by myself," he said.

"It's been rewarding and it's taught me a lot about my mental strength to get out there every morning."

He's almost raised $22,000 so far and donations are still be accepted.

"I owe this to people now, not just the charity, but everyone that, in these tough times, has put their hand in their pocket without question and donated to it," he said.

He's feeling ready and excited, but also nervous about the travel and recovery time between marathons.

He doesn't have lucky undies or socks, or pre-marathon traditions, but he is taking an extra pair of running shoes in case his luggage gets lost.

"I'll get through it thinking about, obviously, my family, but the other people that are doing it, I'll be able to draw inspiration on their stories. My story, compared to some people on it is an easy one. There's people who have been directly impacted," he said.

Donate to Det Quigley's fundraising link here, or visit https://fundraise.bravehearts.org.au/event/777marathon24/home and search for 'Jason Jeffery Quigley' to donate.