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Curtis Cooper to run 2,200km in the name of child protection.
While most people would struggle to run a single marathon, Victorian father and runner Curtis Cooper is lacing up for 52 marathons in 52 weeks, in a year-long campaign to raise $250,000 for child protection charity Bravehearts.
Launching on 30 June in Perth as part of the 2025 Bravehearts 777 Marathon, Cooper’s journey will see him cover around 2,200km in marathon events across Australia, all to shine a spotlight on the prevention of child sexual abuse.
“After running with people who’ve been directly affected by child sexual abuse, I was truly inspired. I haven’t experienced it myself, but I couldn’t turn away. I wanted to do something that matched the scale of the problem, and 52 marathons felt about right,” said Cooper.
The 46-year-old will run in organised events and self-organised routes, braving heatwaves, travel fatigue and inevitable injury as he powers through a full marathon every single week until June 2026.
Bravehearts CEO Alison Geale said Curtis’s commitment represents the power of personal action in addressing one of Australia’s most confronting social issues.
“Curtis is putting his body and mind on the line every week for an entire year. That kind of dedication speaks volumes, and we are so grateful for his courage, his voice and his heart,” said Ms Geale.
You can support Curtis’s 52 in 52 on his fundraising page: https://fundraise.bravehearts.org.au/52-in-52
Media enquiries – contact Bravehearts’ Community Engagement Team on 07 5552 3000 or fundraising@bravehearts.org.au