General News
10 July, 2026
Challenge complete but the stories continue
WALKING 100 kilometres during June initially seemed a daunting task for Warrnambool mum Jacinta Hatfield, but she completed it with pride and a sense of achievement.
Jacinta, who admits to “never before being a fan of walking and exercise in general,” completed The Big Bold Walk for Breast Cancer, inspired by a close friend currently going through breast cancer treatment.
“Going out for a daily walk had never before been on my radar, but when I heard about the Big Bold Walk I thought it was the least I could do,” she said.
“In comparison to what cancer sufferers go through, a walk is absolutely nothing. If my friend (and other cancer patients) can endure what she has and still put on a brave smile, then I can put my runners on and get out and walk to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.”
Jacinta clocked up kilometre number 101 on the final day of the month, and exceeded her $300 fundraising target by an additional $150.
“I averaged just over three kilometres a day at the start of the month because the weather was pretty horrid; despite that I made sure I got out every day and logged each kilometre,” she said.
“My dogs absolutely loved it – they weren’t used to being walked so often so that was an added bonus.”
Jacinta said she found some great walking tracks in nearby Dennington but soon discovered some of the walking tracks in Warrnambool, particularly along the foreshore, were quite dark at night.
“I enjoyed walking from Thunder Point, and from the Pavilion to the surf club, but there’s quite a lot of thick bushes on that track and very little light so that made me a bit nervous when out on my own.
“The Big Bold Walk is certainly a great challenge, particularly for people like me who isn’t really into regular exercise, but the benefits far outweigh the initial hesitation.
“Even though the June challenge is over, I’m keen to keep up with my walking and to promote the cancer foundation whenever I can; it’s such an important cause.”
Anyone still wishing to donate to the ‘Big Bold Walk for Breast Cancer’ can do so by visiting https://fundraise.breastcancertrials.org.au/fundraiser/jacintahatfield/big-bold-walk
