SA runner takes on 55-hour marathon for domestic violence survivors
Kai Martin hopes to raise $25,000 by doing something that, to most, sounds impossible.
Murray Bridge local Kai Martin will run a 325-kilometre ultramarathon over two days next month to raise funds for domestic violence victims and survivors.
The Lavender Federation Trail usually takes hikers 12 to 14 days to complete.
Kai, supported by a small group of friends and family, plans to get it done in one go.
The 25-year-old disability support worker also hopes to raise $25,000 over the weeks leading up to the marathon.
In the eight days since he announced his intentions on social media – with a slick video produced by local videographer James Dawson – he has already raised $10,000.
“The support from the community is amazing,” he said.
Kai said he intended to put a spotlight on domestic violence and to make victims feel that they were not alone.
Many members of the community had since reached out to him about their own experiences with domestic violence, he said, which highlighted the need for more public discourse around the topic.
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“It’s way bigger than what I ever imagined, but it’s a good thing,” he said.
The money raised will go to the Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence Against Women and Children.
He would like to see the money go back into the community by providing safe housing, easier to access and more affordable support services, and school programs to educate kids on domestic violence.
Kai has been a passionate advocate on the issue for almost a decade and has chaired the Murray Bridge Domestic Violence Awareness Group since 2018.
He also appeared as a guest speaker at an annual domestic violence march at Sturt Reserve in December.
Kai said having two family members affected by domestic violence meant that the issue was deeply important for him, and that it was crucial to give affected people a voice.
“I feel I have to do this – I can speak for the people who can’t speak,” he said.
He hoped to reach more men in the community, to increase male support and advocacy, as men were significantly more likely to be reported as perpetrators in domestic violence cases.
“Hopefully other men in the community go ‘we can be the voice; we can be the ones to stand up’,” he said.
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“For so long, women have been the ones fighting this, and I think it’s time for men to step up and do it.”
It’s time for men to step up, Kai Martin says. Photo: James Dawson.
Kai said he also wanted to reach local businesses for sponsorship opportunities.
“One thing I’ve realised is a lot of people who are directly affected by domestic violence probably can’t donate or aren’t in a position where they can donate,” he said.
“It’s up to big businesses – they are the ones that can make a big difference in this.”
Kai said his focus was on spreading the word and getting it out as far and wide as possible, and getting as many people on board as he could.
“I’m very excited for the run, and for reaching my limits,” he said.
The Lavender Federation Trail is usually advertised as a two-week trek, but Kai Martin hopes to do it without stopping. Photo: Scott Davis/Wikimedia Commons.
Kai will set off from Clare at 6am on Friday, May 23 and make his way through the eastern flanks of the Mount Lofty Ranges to reach Murray Bridge by that Sunday, hopefully around lunch time.
Accompanying him across the entire weekend will be friend Aaron Cowling, partner Tayla Groves and brother Aidan Martin.
The finish line will be at the Place of Courage, a monument for victims and survivors of domestic violence at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge.
Kai hopes the community will continue to show support by spreading the word, contributing donations, or sponsoring his cause.
To donate, visit www.mycause.com.au.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
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This story first appeared in the Murray Bridge News, a partner in the Local & Independent News Association. Read the original story here.
