30-04-2025
Fran Hurndall to attempt world record by running from Perth to Sydney and raise money for DV victims
When Fran Hurndall starts running from Cottesloe Beach on Thursday, her sights set on Sydney as she covers the equivalent of three marathons a day, she knows that intense mental and physical pain awaits.
But propelling her forward as she covers 110km for a gruelling 12 to 14 hours each day is the strength of survivors of domestic violence, such as her sister.
Ms Hurndall is attempting to break a world record as the first woman to run the 3800km from Perth to Sydney in under 40 days — but raising awareness and funds for domestic violence support in Australia is the target that means the most to her.
Her goal is to make $1 million for RizeUp Australia, which provides life-saving support for families impacted by domestic abuse. By doing so, she is also giving a voice to her sister.
'In 2024, I found out my sister in the UK had been suffering in a domestic violence relationship, we had no idea and she was trying to raise a child under five,' Ms Hurndall said.
'She escaped in the middle of the night and luckily she had somewhere safe to go, but so many people don't get that opportunity.
'The most beautiful thing is that by doing this run I've given my sister a voice to start her healing journey and that's what I hope others will be able to do.'
Ms Hurndall is a former professional soccer player, who was scouted by Arsenal Ladies at 13 and represented England at 15.
Now based in Australia, in 2023 she set a Guinness World Record by dribbling a soccer ball 1000km from the Gold Coast to Sydney, while raising funds for Women Sport Australia.
Before taking off from Cottesloe on Thursday, she said this latest feat would be her most challenging.
The journey will take her through the Nullarbor Plain and the Great Victoria desert in south-central Australia, burning an average of 8000 calories a day and going through more than 10 pairs of shoes as she runs for up to 14 hours a day.
'There is going to be a lot of pain but 70 per cent of this is a mental game,' she said.
'Running 110km a day is nothing compared to being in a domestic violence relationship, so that's the mindset that I've taken.
'I think in a weird way, part of me is going do die on this trip and I'm going to be a completely different person at the end, but that person is going to be stronger on the other side.'
Ms Hurndall will be supported by a logistics team in two vans providing food and water, and a trailer for sleeping.
She will also have the support of partner Natalie Gidas, who works in police forensics and has investigated numerous domestic violence and homicide cases, including the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children in Queensland in 2020.
Besides raising money, Ms Hurndall hopes to bring widespread attention to the issue of domestic violence.
'I just want to ... make it easier for people to talk about these things and for people to get help when when they need it,' she said.
