Penrith teenager Melissa Ferard will tackle her first marathon this weekend – in memory of inspirational school running teacher Rod Mason and to raise money for mental health charity MIND.
Melissa, 18, is currently spending a gap year travelling after completing her studies at the town’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
She previously attended Hunter Hall School which was where she first developed a taste for running which came on leaps and bounds at QEGS with instrumental guidance from Mr Mason, who died in February of last year.
Melissa spent three months in Kenya and South Africa in late 2022 and also toured other African countries before returning to Penrith for the Christmas period.
“She never stops running!” said her mum, Lucilla, who is married to Richard. “She’s always run 10 miles most days wherever she is. She’s very disciplined.”
Travel and time at home has allowed Melissa to train in soaring temperatures and then the cold as she prepares to tackle the spectacular First Light Marathon this weekend in New Zealand.
It takes place in Gisborne on the country’s North Island which is known for being the first city in the world to see the sun each day.
“I knew very soon after hearing the news of Mr Mason that I wanted to run something in memory of him,” Melissa told the Herald this week.
“Then I heard about the marathon where you see the world’s first light along part of New Zealand’s beautiful coastline. It felt fitting and like one of the running events happening that he would tell to his classes.
“I owe so much to Mr Mason, from all of the amazing and hilarious memories he and Mr (James) Douglas gave the QEGS running teams, and for him giving me the inspiration to start now what I love doing most — running.
“The marathon is definitely daunting with a 4.30am start time, talk of a cyclone hitting Gisborne and the terrain being hilly.
“But I look forward to hearing Mr Mason saying ‘you’ve got this, Mel!’ when the race feels challenging.”
Melissa’s preparation has not all been plain sailing. After a three-day journey from the UK to New Zealand and two aeroplane changes, she found her luggage did not land with her. And she has since had to replace all of her running gear and essentials.
She also has an elder sister, Francesca.
Donations to Melissa’s fund-raiser in aid of MIND can be made through her JustGiving page here.
