Doing the hard k's for cancer

A Margaret River woman will pit herself against one of WA’s toughest fun runs to raise awareness for breast cancer next month.

Tegan Simmonds said a tragic event and new found passion for running inspired her to take on Perth’s City to Surf half marathon on Sunday, August 28.

Ms Simmonds said successfully completing last year’s 10km Margaret River fun run motivated her to look for her next challenge.

“I basically just set a goal to be fitter and to finish the fun run, and I surprised myself and friends at how well I went,” she said.

“I wanted to follow it up with a race in a competitive environment and not just take off on a 20km jog on the weekend.”

She said the City to Surf fit the bill and the added bonus of being able to collect donations for a charity was the icing on the cake.

She aims to donate money raised from the City to Surf to the National Breast Cancer Foundation as a tribute to a close friend who died from the disease last year.

Not foreign to the local hockey fields, netball and basketball courts, Ms Simmonds has upped the ante with a personal trainer in recent months to prepare for the 21km slog.

“I have been working with the wonderful Janet Smith and she is helping me prepare for the race,” she said.

“We’ve been doing a few sessions a week at her home gym and she’s really motivating me and helping me keep on track with training.”

Midweek runs to the Rivermouth from town and a circuit from Wallcliffe Road through Kevil Road East and West and back were also helping her sharpen up.

Ms Simmonds said she hoped locals would get behind her.

She also said she could be the most recognisable runner in the field as she planned to don an entirely pink outfit to promote her charity benefactor.

Donations could be made by visiting www.everydayhero.com.au/tegan_simmonds.