MORNINGTON’S Paris Lightfoot has completed an extraordinary 24-hour endurance challenge at Dallas Brooks Reserve, running, rowing and skiing the equivalent of 180km to raise awareness for men’s mental health.
The 28-year-old Movember Ambassador took on what she called the “Mo-Athlon” on Saturday 8 November, involving 60km of running, 60km on the rowing machine and 60km on the Ski Erg trainer, in memory of her father, who she sadly lost to suicide three years ago.
“The challenge was 24-hours with the 60km challenges recognising the 60 men across the globe we lose to suicide every hour,” Paris said.
The event formed part of Paris’ campaign, Move for Resilience, which encouraged people to “move for mental health” and get their gyms and fitness communities involved.
Dallas Brooks Reserve in Mornington was transformed into a 24-hour fitness hub, complete with sponsors, supporters and recovery space for those taking part.
“Everyone got on both erg machines and chipped away at the challenge,” she said.
Paris, an AFL player, broke the running component into 10km segments every four hours doing laps of the oval despite the wet weather as she joined community members throughout the day and night.
“We started at 7am on Saturday and finished at 5am on Sunday morning,” she said.
“Probably about 15 people per run time came along, whether they just ran that one 10kms or they did multiple.”
Even at 3am the energy didn’t stop when the final run was held, though the effort did draw some attention from police who were interested to learn about the fundraising cause.
By the end of the 24 hours, Paris had covered 100km herself, supported by dozens of participants and sponsors.
“It was tough, that’s for sure,” she said. “The last three runs… it was a shuffle. It wasn’t moving well. Slow and steady wins the race – no records were broken that’s for sure. But I think that was the point of it – to push our limits for men’s mental health.”
Paris’s personal fundraising reached $11,500, while the wider Move for Resilience community effort brought in more than $24,000 for Movember.
Having recently moved to Mornington from Queensland, Paris said she was determined to make the event an annual tradition.
“It’s the first time I’ve done it and my goal is every year to do this 24-hour challenge and just get more communities involved and start conversations,” she said.
“Everyone that came along said, ‘I can’t wait for next year.’ They might push a bit further, run a bit further or do their first 10k – whatever that may look like for them.”
In an Instagram post shared with her supporters Paris said, “It’s about pushing our limits for men’s mental health, honouring those we’ve lost, and showing up for the men still here. Movement and community saved me after losing my dad and now I’m on a mission to use them to save others”.
First published in the Mornington News – 18 November 2025
