The Adelaide Plains, Gawler and Barossa communities welcomed an extraordinary runner into the region while she attempts to break a record in the name of Mental Health.
Western Australian Brooke McIntosh visited all three areas today as she entered day 43 of her 14,080-kilometre run across Australia to become the fastest women to achieve the feat.
While the 29-year-old is excited about the prospect of being a Guinness World Record Holder, the awareness the run is providing to mental health and the Blue Tree Project means so much more.
“The people I have met while running is the biggest highlight, chatting to people is what it is all about and where the impact actually is,” said Ms McIntosh.
In 2022, Ms McIntosh survived a near-fatal car accident and turned to running as a form of therapy for her long battle with mental health.
Now, it’s about supporting others in need, with Ms McIntosh commenting on the dry conditions she’s encountered during her travels, and is “feeling for the farmers here”.
“This run is all about mental health, and I can only imagine what the farmers are going through in terms of struggles and their produce because the need water to do that,” said Ms McIntosh.
Over the past few days, Ms McIntosh knee has been flaring up, but was quickly blown away by the hospitality of the Gawler community.
“I came in on a Sunday and everything was shut, but the Gawler community opened up for me, offering chiro, physio, podiatrist and everyone has been amazing,” said Ms McIntosh.
“The massive community support received from country regions has been immense.”
Tony Piccolo MP met with Ms McIntosh in front of the Blue Trees in both Gawler and Sandy Creek, where she completed her run for the day which totalled 65 kilometres – shy of her average 80kms a day due to warmer conditions.
“Ms McIntosh’s story is inspiring, and this journey shows incredible determination that highlights an important message about mental health and resilience,” said Mr Piccolo.
“It is great to see our community rally behind and support her cause.”
After today’s run from 26kms outside of Mallala to Sandy Creek, Ms McIntosh will now journey to Murray Bridge tomorrow and is raring to go.
“The first two weeks of my run was an absolute struggle, but now my body has adjusted,” said Ms McIntosh.
“My knee is the first niggle that’s come up injury-wise, but that’s recovered well so 3200kms down and 11000kms to go, so about five more months.”