Hi, I’m Ashleigh.

This year, I’m attempting something that scares me just as much as it excites me.

From Perth to Bondi, I’ll be running approximately 3,800km across Australia in 55 consecutive days, averaging around 70km every single day. With the goal of becoming the fastest woman to cross Australia on foot.

But this run isn’t really about records, distance, or proving how tough I am. It’s about recovery.

Growing up, sport was my world. I was the “sporty kid” - always training, always competing, always chasing the next goal. I represented Victoria in Surf Life Saving, played elite football, captained teams, represented Australia internationally, and eventually earned a Division 1 college scholarship in the US. Sport shaped my identity, my discipline, and my belief that anything was possible if I worked hard enough.

But after nearly a decade of elite sport, my body and my mind, only knew intensity.

That pressure led me into one of the hardest chapters of my life: disordered eating.

It’s not something that looks the same for everyone, and it’s not something you can “just push through.” Recovery took time, support, honesty, and the courage to admit when I wasn’t okay. I was fortunate to have access to help when I needed it most and I know that isn’t the case for everyone.

That’s why I’m running. Run for Recovery is my way of turning my own journey into something bigger than me.

Over 55 days, I’ll be running across deserts, highways, heat, rain, and exhaustion, sharing the reality of the challenge day by day. The highs, the lows, the data, the doubts, the resilience. Not to glorify struggle, but to start honest conversations and remind people that recovery is possible.

I’m raising $1,000,000 for The Butterfly Foundation, Australia’s national charity for eating disorders and body image. Every donation supports:

Lifesaving helplines and support services

Prevention and education programs

Recovery resources for individuals and families

Research and advocacy that drives real change

Eating disorders affect millions of people everyday, yet stigma still stops so many people from asking for help. If this run helps even one person feel less alone - or one family find support sooner - it will be worth every step.

By donating, sharing, or following along, you’re not just backing an endurance challenge, you’re backing awareness, compassion, and access to support.

This run is about showing what the human body can endure, but more importantly, what the human spirit can heal from.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Thank you for supporting recovery.

And thank you for helping turn every kilometre into impact.

Please follow my journey here; https://www.instagram.com/ash.harvie/

Ashleigh