Ten years ago it was established by six Australian National University students who shared one common desire.
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Now in 2020, their excellent work sees funds continually raised and awareness for young people suffering in silence seeing the light.
Civic2Surf is a student led initiative dedicated to smashing the stigma surrounding youth mental health and it's coming to Goulburn.
By utilising and strengthening the use of youth perspective, Civic2Surf aspires to allow young people to talk about mental health, and to take charge of their stories.
Ten years ago, Civic2Surf was established by six Australian National University students who shared a common desire to raise funds and awareness for young people suffering in silence.
This was achieved through the completion of the extraordinary physical feat of running from Canberra to Sydney over a four-day period.
Today, Civic2Surf continues to smash the stigma surrounding conversations about mental health.
Each year since 2011, 60 - 80 supported runners complete the same feat in a relay-run format over a 24-hour period, with all funds raised being donated directly to Batyr.
Batyr is a mental health organisation that brings communities together in a positive way and is a resource in helping young people who have found themselves in a dark place.
Following the widespread devastation from the bushfires in summer to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Australia's youth need to know that they aren't alone.
2019 runner, Darcy Elks said the run really helps bring communities together.
"It brings all kinds of people together with one unified goal, to give time and energy to a truly great cause," Elks said.
"Last year I made countless friends who experienced an amazing couple of days along with me.
"Now they are counted among my closest friends. This kind of camaraderie is highly sought after but not often found."
Civic2Surf runners will be making an appearance in Goulburn this year. The Goulburn leg will begin on Friday, September 11, and will traverse Currawang Road (towards Goulburn), along Braidwood Road, Sloane Street, Clinton Street, Auburn Street, Lagoon Street, Sydney Road and the Hume Highway.
2019 Runner and Batyr supporter, Maggie Reynolds loves the work the organisation puts out into communities.
"I think the work of Batyr provides fantastic opportunities for young people to normalise discussions surrounding mental health," Reynolds said.
"I believe these discussions are crucial in destigmatising mental illness and encouraging people of all walks of life to reach out when they are in need."
The Civic2Surf run will be held on Friday, September 11 and continue on to Saturday, September 12, 2020.
To donate or for more information please head to: www.civic2surf.com
Or go straight to the donation link: https://civic2surf-2020.raisely.com/
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