2026 AMBASSADORS

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS

Our ambassadors are a group of passionate runners from all over Australia, who are taking part in the 2026 Ballarat Marathon and spreading the word about our great event and beautiful part of the world.

JESS ANWYL

Jess is an all-rounder. A mum, runner, physio, pilates instructor & sportsperson. Jess has spent most of her sporting career on the netball court, footy field and track. She came in hot for her first marathon debut at Gold Coast this year after 48hrs notice. Jess is a passionate runner with a competitive streak, she’s a workhorse and knows how to grind.

Instagram: @jessanwyl

JARROD BORJA

Hey I'm Jarrod but my mates call me ‘Borj’. In a nutshell I create videos / shoot photos for elite athletes and brands in the endurance sport space. I've been running for over 5 years now and I love the community that running has and the pursuit of going all in on a goal. I normally focus on one big race each year and in 2026 it will be the Ballarat Marathon. See you out there!

Instagram: @jarrodborja

AIDAN CHUA

I run to connect — with myself, with others, and with every story unfolding on the road.

Instagram: @aidanchuaa

GEORGIA CULPEPER

My name is Georgia and I'm an endurance runner who's raced everything from half marathons to ultramarathons. Each race has taught me something new, but lately I have found a real love for the marathon distance. It's a perfect blend of endurance, patience and mindset. This April, I'll be taking on the marathon in Ballarat, and I am so looking forward to being part of such a special event and sharing the course with an incredible community of runners.

Instagram: @georgiaculpeper

EMILY GIESE

Em Giese, 33, from Melbourne and part of the amazing Run West community, where my love for running recently grew into triathlons – tackling the Geelong Half Ironman earlier this year. 

After battling a knee injury, I’m pumped to be running the Ballarat half as my first event back!

Instagram: @emilygiese

SOFIA HEYWARD

Sofia Heyward is heading back to Ballarat for the 3rd time, charging into the Half Marathon with over 20 years in the sport and a racing history that covers every distance you can name. She started as a 100m sprinter, tore through XC nationals, and now takes on everything up to the marathon.

When she’s not chasing finish lines, she’s leading the community as coach of Run Club Adelaide, supporting Australia’s elite as a world champion paratriathlon handler, and juggling life as an ICU nurse, exercise scientist, and soon-to-be exercise physiologist.

Instagram: @vegan_beagle

SOPHIE HOUGHTON

Sophie Houghton is a Performance Dietitian and co-founder of the Bayside Collective Run Club. With a personal best of 2:48 at the 2025 Sydney Marathon, she now has her sights set on breaking 80 minutes at the Ballarat Half Marathon in 2026, after running a 2.5 minute PB and clocking 1:20:00 flat at last year’s event. As a dietitian Sophie is passionate about practising what she preaches - inspiring others to fuel, train, and recover like athletes, to take their performance to the next level.

Instagram: @sophie.dietitian

PADDY KENNEDY

Paddy Kennedy is an accomplished marketing consultant and endurance athlete who has built his career and running journey on discipline, consistency, and growth. Having competed in major events across Australia, America, and New Zealand, his next pursuit — the 42.2 km Ballarat Marathon — reflects his continued commitment to peak performance both professionally and personally.

Instagram: @paddykennedy

JAY LEE

I believe everybody has the power to achieve whatever it is they put their mind to, they just have to believe it. For me, running is what unlocked that belief.

Instagram: @jayteylee

KAREN LU

Driven by passion, powered by perseverance and the joy of movement- super excited to tackle the 42.2km at Ballarat in 2026!

Instagram: @karennlu

MATT McKENZIE

I’m a runner, sparky, and dog dad. I love the process of training - the long runs, the coffee, the banter and the ups and downs that come with chasing a goal. I work full-time and fit running in around everyday life, which keeps it grounded and enjoyable. When I’m not out running, I’m usually talking about it on the (good good running) pod. After seeing how great the event has been the past 2 years, I've decided to jump on the wagon and run the marathon in Ballarat in 2026. I'm from QLD, so fingers crossed for a nice cool morning!

Instagram: @mattmckenzie

CHIP MOONEY

I picked up running four years ago during the pandemic with nothing else to do, and I haven't stopped since. Now a proud member of the ate miles and AM:PM crews, I run for the routine and the community it puts me around.

I balance training with my freelance photography work, and marketing for Almighty Drinks. My 2025 running highlight was definitely the Ballarat Half Marathon. An incredibly seamless weekend with high energy from Melbourne's running community and a fast, flat course that I absolutely loved.

Instagram: @chipmooney

AARON MORTARUOLO

Hey there I'm Aaron. I first started running back in 2021 after not running since high school and like so many other people it quickly became a massive part of my life. I train with an amazing group of people at Bayside Collective and for the last three years have raced the AV XCR season with Malvern Harriers. My favourite distances to race are the 5km and 10km but I'm excited to race the half marathon at Ballarat in 2026 for the second time and will be looking to improve on my PB of 74 minutes which I set at this year’s Melbourne half marathon. Ballarat was an incredible event in 2025 and I can't wait to get out there again in 2026.

Instagram: @aaronmort23

BEC PUTNA

Hey, I’m Bec. I’m a passionate runner, swimmer, triathlete, content creator and writer. I’ve recently relocated to the Gold Coast after spending the past 10 years living in Sydney, where I really fell in love with running (Centennial Park is my favourite place in the entire world). I’ve raced 3 marathons so far - my highlight being the Sydney Marathon in 2025. It was just such a special experience to be part of Australia’s first world major and the running community really inspired me to want to run marathons for the rest of my life. I’m so excited to race the Ballarat Marathon in 2026!

Instagram: @becputna

JAKE ‘COBBA’ STEVENS

Cobba Stevens has been involved in local athletics since he was a junior - but in recent years, has traded the track for the roads. Ballarat 2025 marked his debut at the distance, but hampered by injury, is really looking forward to a clean run into the 2026 start line. A content creator who works in the sports industry, Cobba has been lucky enough to work with high-profile athletes including Usain Bolt and our Aussie athletes at the Commonwealth Games - just don't expect his performances to be at the same level!

Instagram: @cobbastevens

DAVID STOFF

I’m a passionate recreational runner trying to improve my way to elite status while absolutely enjoying the process! I’m a 2:48 marathoner who fell in love with running only a short time ago, but it has changed my life. I spend my time creating educational and motivational online content about my training, shoe reviews and race day vlogs! I can’t wait to lace up the carbons once again for the Ballarat half marathon!

Instagram: @dave_the_runner

DEC TRAGEAR

Hey, I’m Declan Co-founder of Bayside Collective Run and tradie who found running post-COVID and quickly caught the bug!  What started out as a way to stay active soon turned into a huge part of my life, and I’ve loved every step of the journey. You will find our group at 20 past 5 every Wednesday 52 weeks of the year, rain, hail or shine. Since creating the group with my partner Sophie we have built an amazing community and watched so many people improve as runners. Over the past 18 months, I’ve gone from a 1:37 half marathon to a 1:13 PB set at the Melbourne Half this year. I’m pumped to be returning for round 2 at the Ballarat Half Marathon in 2026. The one lap flat and fast course makes for the perfect opportunity to have a big swing at another big PB. Excited to share the journey to the start line.

Instagram: @dectragear

DONVÉ VILJOEN

Originally from South Africa and raised in Dubai, I’m a 26-year-old ex-gymnast, ex-gym junkie who discovered running when gyms closed during COVID. I began structured training and speed sessions in 2023 after starting with my coach & I’ve fallen completely in love with the sport, now running 120–150km a week. I’ll be running Ballarat Half Marathon which also happens to be my favourite distance, though I’ve been testing myself at the 10k and marathon distances over the past year too. You can find me running before sunrise & refuelling with a muffin and coffee from my local.

Instagram: @donveviljoen

JOE WESTWOOD

I’m a 26 year old runner and photographer based out of Melbourne, originally from the UK. Coming off the back of a 50 mile race at GSER, I'm keen to rip a fast marathon and there is no better place to do that than Ballarat. Keen to step up from the half last year!

Instagram: @jwestwood