Brooke McIntosh reaches Albany on Just One More world record run attempt, raising money for Blue Tree Project

A Perth woman running around Australia to raise $1.4 million for mental health after experiencing her own struggles said she felt “pretty emotional” as she passed through Albany at the weekend. Brooke McIntosh arrived in Albany at midday on Sunday and left later that afternoon to maintain her 80km a day pace as she tries to become the youngest and fastest woman to run the circumference of the country. Now, almost two weeks into the 180-day endeavour she has called Just One More, the 29-year-old has covered more than 600km and raised $32,046 for the Blue Tree Project, generating plenty of conversations surrounding mental health on the way. “A farmer stopped to say ‘hey’ while I was taking my midday nap and ended up having a conversation with my partner,” she said of her Albany leg. “He thanked me for what I was doing and shared a little about his own journey with mental health and how big it is in the farming industry too.” Ms McIntosh said though she feels “incredible” with every town milestone she passes on her world-record journey, Albany was particularly special as she recalled the “great childhood memories” of visiting her grandparents in the coastal town. “My mum and dad grew up there too, so running past Albany brought back so many memories and emotions,” she said. “All the memories came rushing back from the Albany foreshore, Dylan’s Cafe, the wind farm, Middleton Beach — it was actually pretty strange not having more time to stop in and enjoy the beautiful nature around Albany.” The cooler weather and breezes of the Great Southern were a balm to Ms McIntosh, who has spent the last weeks running through the Perth heat, but noted the hills from Busselton to Mt Barker were “pretty rough”. The former FIFO worker decided to make the world record attempt bigger than herself and raise money for mental health after experiencing suicidal thoughts before a 2022 truck crash made her reconsider her outlook on life. “Every milestone reminds me that this run is bigger than me — it’s about raising awareness and making an impact,” she said. “There’s still so much further to go, but instead of looking at the full distance ahead, I’m focusing on one step at a time and celebrating each win along the way. “Of course, there are tough days, but when I hear a story from someone who has been impacted by this journey, it fuels me to keep pushing forward.” Ms McIntosh started her trip on March 2 from City Beach and aims to run 14,080km by August, beating the standing record held by Janette Murray-Walkin who was in her 60s when she and her husband Alan ran around Australia in 366 days in 2013 to promote the raw food movement. Ms McIntosh is now en route to Esperance after which she will start the trek to the South Australian border. More information is available on the Just One More website where donations can also be made.