a huge thanks to
OUR Ambassadors + Supporters
Run Army Patron
Rob de Castella AO, MBE
Marathon legend, dual Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, World Champion, IMF Founder
As a passionate runner, 4-time Olympian and world-record holder Robert de Castella is proud to support Run Army. Rob acknowledges that running is incredibly beneficial to general health and fitness, but it also changes the way we feel about ourselves and improves our mental health. Running gives a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing that is important anywhere in life, but especially in the military, and provides an opportunity to connect with, support, and share effort and achievement with others.
The IMF has Indigenous marathon runners around Australia, including up in North West Mobile Force and up through the Torres Strait in 51 Far North Queensland Regiment. About 30 runners from the IMF took part in Run Army 2021. As Director of the IMF and Patron of Run Army, Rob de Castella is seeking to promote the Run Army event and its Running Change Program within the IMF and to integrate and strengthen the relationship with the Australian Army even further.
our ambassadors
Dan Keighran VC
Recipient of Victoria Cross and proud supporter of the Veteran community
I am honoured to be named as an ambassador for the annual Run Army event. After discharging from full-time service, I have become extremely passionate about continuing to support the veteran community. I hope my involvement brings awareness to those still in uniform and the broader community of the importance of promoting resilience, teamwork, and endurance through running. I look forward to seeing you all at the 2025 Run Army event in Brisbane.
Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr, AO, MVO, DSC
Chief of Army July 2018 -2022
LTGEN Rick Burr attended both the 2021 and 2022 Run Army Events and was announced as a Run Army ambassador after handing over command as the Chief of Army. LTGEN Burr recognises Run Army as an event promoting resilience, health and well being not just among the Army, but also in the broader community. Running can be quite challenging and daunting for many people – particularly over longer distances and when soldiers are returning from injury, illness or periods of leave. Run Army promoted the health benefits of running, while also supporting the important work Legacy does to help the families of our veterans.
Beckie MacKinney-Clohesy
Legacy Ambassador (LCPL Jared MacKinney dec.)
Twenty-eight-year-old Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney was operating as a mentor to the Afghan National Army during a partnered patrol in the Deh Rawud region when he was tragically killed in a fire-fight whilst on patrol in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney was conducting a dismounted patrol on the morning of 24 August 2010 in the “green zone” when they were fired on by a number of insurgents. The soldier’s colleagues moved him out of danger and provided first aid however, his patrol mates were unable to sustain his life.
His wife Beckie, who was heavily pregnant at the time, went into labour at Jared’s funeral. She gave birth to their son Noah, joined by his sister, two year old Annabell. Beckie and her two children were enrolled with Legacy Brisbane in February 2011 and have attended many events for the Young Families Programs and kids camps.
Kelly Walton
Legacy Ambassador (LCPL Rick Milosevic dec.)
Lance Corporal Milosevic, known as Rick to his family and Milo to his mates, deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry (2/14 LHR (QMI) based in Brisbane, Queensland. Rick was a courageous, committed, immensely proud soldier. His desire to serve his country and honour his family saw him join the army at thirty-six. In his four short years of service he would serve honourably in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kelly and her girls joined Legacy one month after Rick’s passing in September 2012 and have attended weekends away and Christmas events for the Young Families Program.
Mark Beretta, OAM
Seven Network Sport Commentator
I’ve always found running great for the body and probably even better for the mind! A good run clears the brain and makes you feel alive and energised. Each run gives me a feeling of achievement – like I’ve done something. Running with a group is a buzz, and to be able to enjoy the best of Brisbane with a fantastic route around the river makes Run Army a must do for me. Add to that the connection to Anzac Day and the chance to support our Army through Legacy Brisbane and it makes for a great occasion. I’m confident Run Army will become a big part of Anzac Week each year and a great way to bring together the community and today’s soldiers.
Gabe Tochterman
INDIGENOUS MARATHON REPRESENTATIVE AND LEGACY AMBASSADOR
My husband Linc (Carson) was an extremely proud soldier and served in Somalia in 1993 and Timor in 2000, before being medically discharged with bad knees in 2003. We lost Linc suddenly to a brain aneurysm on October 23, 2018. Several months before we lost Linc, I became a run coach and set up Bramble Bay Runners and Walkers, under the umbrella of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF). After I lost Linc, I spent a lot of time running. Sometimes I couldn’t run because I was crying so hard, but it gave me time out to clear my head, regroup, come home and tackle whatever challenges we faced that day.
Taking part in Run Army is like all the stars aligned for use, because Legacy and IMF are such a big part of our lives. Legacy has supported us in so many ways with such kindness since Linc’s death.
Dane Bird-Smith
Firefighter and Olympian
Dane Bird-Smith is an Australian racewalking champion and, among many awards, won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and represented Australia at the World Championships three times. Dane is now a Firefighter with the Queensland Fire Department and proud supporter of Run Army – watch out for him on race day!
Jana Pittman
Summer and Winter Olympian and Athletics World Champion
Running has always been a big part of my life, and so has setting goals and getting them done. I know the great feeling that running brings, and how it improves both physical and mental health. I’m proud to be an ambassador for Run Army. My brother served in the Australian Army, and I’m hoping to join the Army Reserve as a doctor, so this opportunity to support Legacy and our soldiers means a lot. To everyone training for, and running in Run Army, best of luck, run with a smile and have a great time!
Casey Nixon
Australian and New Zealand Veteran Lead for Accenture
Casey is foremost a mother to her young daughter, Isabelle but is also a 3rd generation Veteran who has been working in Defence Industries for over 10 years.
At the ripe age of 18 Casey enlisted in the Australian Army and learnt what it took to give service, be disciplined and work as a team. As a young Australian woman who identifies as a mother, ex-service woman, daughter of a veteran and now a passionate businesswoman Casey is driven to use her talents, compassion and experience to provide assistance and encouragement for women in business and Veteran support groups. She is deeply committed to raising awareness of mental health for all walks of life. Casey is passionate about supporting charities that make a difference the Veteran community; as a Director on RSL Grayhorne Board and ambassador for Wounded Heroes Australia. Casey is honoured to add ambassador for Run Army to her list of Veteran support initiatives and will be joining the Run Army community in Brisbane on race day.
Melissa Wu
Australian Olympian
I love feeling fit and strong, and Run Army is a perfect opportunity to get training, and get behind a great cause.
It’s a special chance to run alongside Australia’s soldiers and veterans, and show your support around Anzac Day.
This is an awesome run! It is all supported by the Australian Army, so there’s plenty to see and do along the way, including on the ground and in the air. Register now by yourself, or with a team, and start getting your friends and family together for Run Army 25!
Anthony Field
“Blue Wiggle”
There’s nothing better than seeing people being active and healthy, and so I’m proud to support Run Army 25!
Having served with the Australian Army, the timing around Anzac Day is especially important to me, and a valuable way to say thanks for the service of all our veterans and current serving members.
I hope everyone gets out to enjoy the day and support the fantastic work of Legacy taking care of our veterans.
I’ve got Henry the Octopus and Dorothy the Dinosaur in training!
Kate Lutkins
Brisbane Lions AFLW Premiership winning player
I’m excited to be an ambassador for RUN ARMY 2025 in my beautiful home city of Brisbane! It’ll be a pretty unique experience to have my two worlds of AFL and ADF come together on this very special Anzac weekend event. I really hope that lots of people can join us to show support for our soldiers and the great work of Legacy, the charity that supports them. It’s going to be an awesome day, a real run like no other, with our Army proudly displaying some specialist equipment along the way, and a few surprises in the air and on the water!
Dylan Conway
BrothersNBooks
BrothersNBooks is a platform that allows members of the current serving, veteran and Australian community to share their story of adversity but most importantly success. The page promotes the importance of reading and perspective to assist people having a hard time through injury, isolation and depression regardless of their physical capability. BrothersNBooks is proud to support Run Army as it understands that physical health plays an important role in the overall mental health of human beings and Legacy is a wonderful organisation that gives back to so many going through hard times which is the epitome of the community we represent.
OUR MAScot
Rocket the Rescue
Run Army Mascot and ball chaser
Rocket is a young Australian Cattle Dog / Kelpie who in his formative years was restricted to a chain and barely fed. Since being rescued in late 2020, he has been an integral member of the Run Army team, and is often seen conducting sprint training at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, supported by local birds.
Rocket plays an important part in a high tempo workplace environment, by supporting Army personnel in reducing stress and increasing workplace efficiency. He primarily achieves this by demanding that his ball is thrown or simply rolling over for a quick belly rub. Rocket also demonstrates Army’s commitment to health and well-being and its openness to different ways of tackling the mental health challenges of our people.
Rocket took part in past Run Army events and plans to continue his support through the mentoring of Running Change participants and importantly, raising money for Legacy. Rocket is an active advocate of assistance dogs and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.