On the evening of Wednesday 3 May as residents of Noosa slept soundly a group of dedicated young Noosa students were running their heart out.
The annual Darkness to Daylight 100km Challenge is a run with a message. Its aim is to raise funds and awareness of domestic and family violence.
Each year about 110 people die from domestic and family violence in Australia. Each kilometre of the run represents a life lost.
With the support of Brisbane Catholic Education, three staff members and seven young men from St Teresa’s Catholic College participated in this challenge run over the course of 12 hours.
School spokeswoman Margit Cruice said the school’s business manager Mark Roberton ran the entire 100kms while deputy principal Carmel O’Brien and teacher Michaela Roberton each completed 30kms. Year 10 students, Jasper, Jack, Jed, Matt, Luca, Jackson and Michael participated in the team relay event and completed 280km between them, with each student running a remarkable 40km each,” she said.
“The group has trained together for only a few sessions using local landmarks such a Mount Coolum for their training,” she said.
“Runners begin the run carrying electric candles to signify bringing those affected out of the darkness and into the daylight.
“It is wonderful to see young men participating in such an event as they help raise local awareness of this issue.
“They arrived home on Thursday mid-morning extremely tired and sore and ready to sleep the rest of the day away.
“As a college community, we couldn’t be prouder of the efforts of these staff and students”.