The Lockyer January 12 2022 Page

14,000 KILOMETRES AND COUNTING
NATHAN GREAVES
nathan@thelockyer.com.au
Pctured above: The celebration cake for Christine’s achievement.
Pictured below: Christine being presented her medal for competition by Runs Of The World founder
Travis Ireland. Photos credit: Nathan Greaves.
NATHAN GREAVES
nathan@thelockyer.com.au
Users of local lakes and dams have
been advised to be careful of dangers
hidden below the surface, in the wake
of rain and flooding in recent months.
According to the latest data from Seqwater, rain
in November and December has raised the levels
of some lakes by more than 30%, concealing tree
stumps, rocks, and other debris that was previously
visible to the naked eye.
Seqwater Chief Operations Officer Stuart Cassie
has warned waterway users to be mindful of these
hazards, as well as unknown debris that may have
been introduced to waterways by floodwater.
“Striking these submerged hazards can be costly
and dangerous for boaters. Vessels may become
impaled, capsized, stranded or possibly sink. If
you’re unsure, slow down,” he said.
“Some lakes like Lake Dyer in the Lockyer Valley, water.
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have been re-opened to recreation after being
closed for several years due to low lake levels, so
we’re reminding visitors to use extra caution when
at these sites as lake conditions may have changed
since their last time on the water.”
He stressed that these dangers can also pose a risk
to swimmers.
“Swimmers should stick to our designated
swimming areas at our lakes and be aware of
submerged obstacles or uneven ground underfoot
while enjoying a dip,” he said.
“And never dive into water where you can’t see the
bottom. Lakes and dams can appear safe above
water but can be deceptively dangerous so it’s
important all visitors play it safe, are aware of the
rules, and are mindful of others.”
As summer enters full swing and waterway usage is
set to increase, Seqwater will be working with the
Queensland Police Service, Queensland Boating
and Fisheries, and Maritime Safety Queensland to
enforce safe and responsible behaviour on and off
An old Chinese proverb advises
that a journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single
step, and the same is true of
the 14,080-kilometre virtual
run around Australia recently
completed by Laidley local
Christine Peach.
She first began her Run Down Under
journey on January 1, 2016, and on the
morning of December 18, 2021, she
crossed the finish line at the Laidley Rec
grounds with friends and family at her side.
Christine’s colossal accomplishment came
to fruition through near-daily dedication.
“Rain, hail, shine, I’m out there. Very rarely
do I have a rest day, I’m just out there
clicking over the K’s,” she said.
“Ticking off the towns as you go through,
each big town you get a little memento, so
I’ve got I think six stubby coolers from my
trip around Australia, and now I’ve got the
bling.”
Christine frequently competes in
marathons and other events, where she
runs under the name Blingchaser, because
“if there’s no bling, I don’t run.”
Her medal for completing the Run Down
Under will join dozens of others in her
collection at home.
The distance run during these events, and
her regular morning and afternoon runs
around Laidley, have all contributed to her
completion of the virtual around-Australia
run.
Christine said she originally took up running
for weight loss, and after meeting her
weight goal, she then chose the challenge
of Run Down Under as a motivator to keep
running.
“The journey’s been fun, full of plenty of
shoes, sweat, tears, good times, bad times.
There’s always challenges, but I always say
make your goal bigger than your excuses,
and get out there and get it done.”
Numerous friends and family members
came out to the park on Saturday morning
to run, walk, or ride the final few kilometres
with Christine, or cheer on from the finish
line, as well as write messages of support…
and enjoy a share of the cake afterwards.
Despite her love for medals, Christine said
her participation in marathons and other
running events isn’t about winning or
breaking personal bests.
“I’m pretty much a motivational runner. I’m
not worried about the time, I enjoy picking
up the broken runners, getting them home,
and celebrating with them. They call me
the marathon cougar, because it doesn’t
matter where I am, I’m pulling someone in
to get across the line with me,” she said.”
“That’s why I do it. It’s that love for running
and the running community, and what
that’s done for me.”
She hoped her story will inspire others to
rise up and challenge themselves.
“I’m always looking for anyone who wants
to give a go, wants to have a run. Join me,
I’m happy to give some pointers,” she said.
“I’m a mum of three, grandmother of one,
so age is no limit.”
Christine can be found at Blingchaser1 on
Instagram, or Christine Peach on Facebook.
She extended her thanks to For My Peanuts
Clothing, the Atlas running crew, Run Down
Under, the Weight Watchers community,
and her friends, husband, and family for
their ongoing support.
“Thank you to all of my supporters. It’s
those waves, those beeps on the road, the
‘oh, that crazy lady’s running again’, you
guys have had my back.”
Though many people would
understandably want to take a break
after reaching such a massive milestone,
Christine is rolling right into her next run,
signing up for the virtual run around New
Zealand next.
At her current pace, Christine could very
well accomplish this new goal in just a few
years.
Run Down Under owner and founder Travis
Ireland said Christine’s time of 2177 days
was well above average, with less than 300
people having completed the course to
date.
“The average person on my app takes
around 13 years to do it, based on the
maths and the yearly stats, that’s the
estimate,” he said.
He spoke of the decision behind starting
the event.
“It started in 2014, as a hobby, with just an
Excel spreadsheet and an idea. There was
no website, there was no structure behind
it,” he said.
“It was for myself, I need a long-term goal.
I personally went through some stuff that
I needed to fix in my life, so I did it for
me, and I put it out there to see if anyone
wanted to join me.”
He encouraged other people to challenge
themselves and get involved.
“We’re basically for everyone, you don’t
have to be elite,” he said.
“The only rule we have is that it’s not a
step-counting app. You have to go out with
the mentality of going for a run, or a walk;
it’s structured exercise.”
To find out more about the Run Down
Under challenge, and the virtual routes for
other countries, visit www.runsoftheworld.
com.
WATERWAYS USERS WARNED TO BE WARY
THE LOCKYER - Wednesday January 12, 2022 - Page 3