a huge thanks to
OUR Ambassadors
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)
Simon Andrew Stuart
Chief of Army July 2022 -2026
Lieutenant General Simon Andrew Stuart is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army who served as the Chief of Army from July 2022 to July 2026. He was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1990.
LTGEN Stuart is a proud supporter of Run Army and has officiated the start line for the Run Army events for several years via a machine gun.
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.
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 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.
Brooke Carson
INDIGENOUS MARATHON REPRESENTATIVE AND LEGACY AMBASSADOR
My dad, Linc (Carson), was an incredibly proud soldier who served in Somalia in 1993 and Timor in 2000, before being medically discharged in 2003 due to bad knees. We lost Dad suddenly to a brain aneurysm on October 23, 2018, a day that changed our lives forever. A few months before we lost him, Mum had become a run coach and started Bramble Bay Runners and Walkers under the umbrella of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF). After Dad passed, running became such an important part of our healing. For me, running is a way to stay connected to Dad’s memory and to everything he stood for – strength, courage, and community. Taking part in Run Army is like all the stars aligned for us, because Legacy and IMF are such a big part of our lives.
Legacy has supported us in so many ways with such kindness since Dad’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!
Jarryd Goundrey
Veteran & Comedian
After serving in the Australian Army for seven years as an infantry soldier and then leaving to work in a restaurant as a decorated chef, Jarryd is now on the road, hustling as a comedian. Jarryd has amassed over 17 million views online for his storytelling and military humour, has a top 100 Podcast, and is a regular at all the comedy clubs across Australia.
Genevieve & Ryan Gregson
Olympians
Genevieve Gregson is a 4 x Olympian, 3 x Olympic finalist and Australian record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase. Ryan Gregson is a 2 x Olympian, former Australian record holder, and at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games became the first Australian male in 40 years to make the Olympic 1500m final. Genevieve and Ryan are both accredited coaches through Athletics Australia.
Liam Boudin
Australian Runner
Liam is an Australian elite long-distance runner and an impressive marathoner, who has competed for Australia at the World Championships. He is a prominent figure in the Australian running community.
Liam’s dad was a proud Policeman in the Queensland Police and understands the significance of Run Army and supporting those who serve our community.
Naming Rights Partner + Defence Beneficiary
Presenting Partner
Partners + Beneficiaries
Partners + Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries
