I wanted to share my running story and why Boobs on the Run means so much to me and the community of women we have supported.

As a kid at Secondary School (High School) I used to love running. On sports days I would always be the one to run the 1500 metres and I was also a county runner at Cross Country.  After school finished and college took over, running became less and less part of my routine.

I remember getting the call from my Dad asking me to come over to my parents place as they needed to talk to me. He sounded tense and not himself. My brother was overseas with the army at the time, so all sorts of negative thoughts were spinning through my head about what was happening. I had no idea it would be to tell me that Mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was only 49. It was so unfair.

A month later we received news that my Aunt (my Mum’s oldest sister) had also been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I started to run again. I just needed some “head time” and running allowed me to get that.

I joined a local running group and quickly became part of the community and eventually became a running coach through England Athletics. It became my sanity check.

During this time my Mum battled breast cancer, raised over $70k for cancer charities in the UK, which included having her hair shaved off in a middle of a pub. She did everything she could to beat the big C.

Unfortunately a year later we received news that the cancer had moved to her lungs. It was terminal. Mum still battled and continued to raise money during that last year, even though she was so tired. She lost her battle at the age of 52 and shortly after I lost my Aunt too who had developed secondary brain cancer.

Boobs on the Run has very much grown as a community, from the very first course to the last one just completed. We have helped over 2000 women regain their self confidence, energy, endurance, they sleep better, eat better and most of all feel better. Plus we have raised over $100k for charity.

Lisa firmly believes in the ability of food and movement to heal, nourish, energise and uplift us and the importance of nutrition to enhance exercise performance, promote recovery from training as well as day to day living to feel one’s best.

Combining her passions for running and eating well, Lisa is continually intrigued by what the human body and mind is capable of. She loves to challenge herself to reach new distances, experience different race formats, overcome challenges and problem solve during events and still enjoy the simple act of running. She has run ultras for many years, including two Coast to Kosci finishes (2023 and 2024), Hume & Hovell, Ultra Trail Kosciusko, Ultra Trail Australia and 24 hour track events, to name just a few, all with a strong focus on nutrition and recovery throughout training and event day. Lisa is also an AUTRA endorsed running coach and an AUTRA Committee member since 2024.

Since realising she could run, it’s been a winding path, with seasons of pregnancy, parenting, and everything in between. Now, as a Boobs on the Run run leader, she helps others begin (or return to) their own running journey – one step at a time, in good company. She’s gone from “not a runner” to 100km ultras – and everything in between – all fuelled by the mantra ‘so far, so good’, and the belief that we’re capable of so much more than the stories we tell ourselves.

What Louise loves most about running is how it creates space to surprise yourself – again and again. Whether it’s the quiet focus of a trail run, a mid-week session that shifts your whole mood, or a finish line ugly cry that marks the moment an old belief is rewritten, running has a way of showing you what’s possible. For her, the running community is where the real magic lives: supportive, welcoming, and built on shared triumphs – big and small. Before you know it, you’re showing up, going further than you planned, and starting to see what you’re really, truly capable of.

. Always very active and an advocate for a healthy fit life style, never a runner until she was introduced to Boobs on the Run by the Exercise Physiologist at Concord Hospital Survivorship Centre. Cherrie joined Get Running 6 years ago, moved to Stay Running and Keep Running, and loved BOTR so much she became a Run Leader. Cherrie’s passion is being part of the BOTR community supporting women who are new to running, returning after a break or looking for their tribe. As a HR Professional Cherrie has always had a deep interest in human nature and loves nothing more than running and listening to ladies stories.

Cherrie ‘never gives up’ and has completed numerous Half Marathons and achieved her goal to complete the Sydney Marathon before she turned 70 and a second at 70 with a third in sight. Age is no barrier to her and coaching a diverse group of women is what gives her joy. Seeing women complete Get Running then move to Stay Running and Keep Running and many completing City to Surf, Half and Full Marathons is the reason she became a run leader. Cherrie is a community person and loves nothing more than how connection and support can build confidence and make women thrive.

Since starting to run just over 10 years ago, Liz has discovered, and rediscovered the joy of running. Having used the Boobs on the Run programs to hit half marathon goals and more recently return to running post-partum, Liz knows the value of the Boobs on the Run community to lift up women. 

Liz’s greatest running passion is helping women find confidence in their running journey. She specialises in beginner runners and providing encouragement and celebrating the big and small wins. Liz runs with enthusiasm, positivity and a belief that everyone is a runner, they just don’t know it yet!

Vicky has a background in personal development, health and physical education teaching and has always enjoyed being physically active and helping others to realise the benefits of movement for overall health and well-being. 

Vicki’s running journey began with occasional short jogs to keep fit to play sport. As her life circumstances changed and organised sport became more difficult to commit to, Vicki found the flexibility of running provided a great way to keep active. Vicki enjoys celebrating the great diversity of the running community and how it brings people together from a range of backgrounds, abilities, ages and life experiences.

Brie leads groups on Sydney’s Lower North Shore and creates a welcoming space for every runner, no matter their pace. Post-run coffee is always encouraged!