“WHEN I see people I used to serve in the supermarket as a kid, suffering with dementia, or the lady you say hello to every day in the street a few months ago … it’s bloody heartbreaking.”

That heartbreak translates into the latest marathon challenge for local personal trainer, Jan Murphy, who will hit the road with three mates on September 20, to raise vital funds in Dementia Australia’s ‘Marathon to Remember’.

With the support of her mates, ironwoman and triathlete Madalene Cleary, Lorree Lane and Hayley Rees, Murphy has been training around local roads for several months (socially-distanced, of course!) and will be joined by the trio when she hits the road, later this month.

“These girls have been really great supporting me and will join in the marathon on that Sunday,” Murphy said.

“And the support from the wider community has been overwhelming – I set a fundraising goal of $500 and the local donations passed that on day three, so I’m pretty stoked.”

In Australia, the Australian Bureau of statistics lists it as the second leading cause of death of Australians and in 2016, dementia became the leading cause of death of Australian women.

The girls will make staggered starts from the Casterton Golf Club at 5.30am on Sunday, September 20.

Murphy is hoping to finish the run in a personal best time of under four hours, so if you are out on those roads and see the runners, give them a cheer!