Runner honours mother in epic Perth to Sydney relay for DV awareness

Running across the Nullarbor every night for two weeks under the unfiltered glow of the Milky Way, Hayden Sumner turned his mind to his mother and other victims of domestic violence."I thought back to those victims and the nights they probably go through," he said upon completing an epic cross-country trek from Cottesloe Beach in Perth to Bondi Beach on Sydney's east coast."The sun comes up and I get to have a bowl of cereal and a terrible coffee and get on with my day but for them, the struggle doesn't stop."The group ran from Cottesloe Beach in Perth to Bondi Beach in Sydney. Pictured is runner Jordan Nuks. (Supplied: Project Australia)As part of Project Australia, Mr Sumner and five other ultra-endurance athletes took part in the 4,000-kilometre relay over 15 days in a bid to raise money and awareness for domestic violence support service Beyond DV.Athletes ran around the clock, with someone on the move every second of the day and night."Whilst running under the Milky Way and the Eyre Highway with no lights around you is incredible … [the nights] were pretty long and grinding," Mr Sumner said."Just the monotony of every hour jumping up and putting your shoes on and getting back out there."In between running shifts, athletes rested and refuelled in one of three support vehicles that accompanied the runners.Every athlete ran about 666km over two weeks, with each taking part for a different reason.The athletes ran around the clock for 15 days. Pictured is runner Jamie Hunter. (Supplied: Project Australia)Mr Sumner said his motivation was his mother, who died by suicide when he was 7 years old."As I grew up, I learnt [her death] was largely due to her struggles with domestic violence," he said."She had years and years of abusive partners, she was in and out of hospital … so I felt very defenceless when I heard that."I was only a little kid. I couldn't do anything then, but I guess I can do something now."We can't change the past, but we can try and change the future."Mr Sumner ran 785km solo in 2025 in support of advocacy group Beyond DV, which will receive fundraising proceeds from the group's Perth to Sydney relay.The organisation provides support to women and children affected by domestic violence, including financial literacy programs, employment support and long-term independence strategies.The runners arrived in Bondi after 15 days on the road. (ABC News: Simon Amery)At the finish line outside Bondi Pavilion on Monday afternoon, the runners wrapped each other in tearful hugs."So do we want to turn around and go back?" runner Katie Brock joked.Mr Sumner said he "couldn't be more proud" of his running mates.