When Anchor Board Member, Jacinta, Crossed the finish line after 100 gruelling kilometres through the mountains, rain, and relentless hill climbs, she was hit with a wave of emotion—relief, pride, exhaustion, and deep gratitude.
Her journey at the Buffalo Stampede wasn’t just a huge personal endurance test; it was a powerful statement of solidarity with young people experiencing homelessness.
All up, Jacinta managed to inspire 112 individuals to donate to her run, raising a total of $38,633 to support young people experiencing homelessness.
We caught up with Jacinta after she had recovered from her run to find out how she went, and what helped her to push through and cross the finish line:
Can you tell us what your thoughts/feelings were as you crossed the finish line?
Crossing the finish line at the Buffalo Stampede was honestly overwhelming—in the best way. I felt relief, pride, exhaustion, and a wave of gratitude all at once. That last stretch, knowing my crew was nearby and that the finish line was finally within reach, was emotional. It reminded me why I took it on in the first place.
Was it as hard as you were expecting?
Was it as hard as I expected? Harder. The terrain was brutal, the climbs relentless, and the rain made it even tougher—but that’s also what made it so rewarding. It pushed me beyond what I thought I could handle, physically and mentally.
One of the most difficult moments was around the 40km mark when I had to say goodbye to Bass. We’d done all the training together, all the fundraising—everything. But he’d developed an injury and couldn’t keep going. It was heartbreaking to part ways in that moment, but his support, even from the sidelines, stayed with me the whole way.
When your trek got hard, what kept you motivated to keep going?
When it got tough—and it really did—what kept me going was the reason behind the run. Every step reminded me that young people experiencing homelessness don’t get to tap out when things get hard. I had the privilege of choosing this challenge; they don’t. That perspective kept me grounded.
At the 90km mark, I looked up and said, “Look at those stars, they look so pretty.” My pacer Brett replied, “They’re not stars, they’re head torches—you’re going up there.” The final 10km was 5km up and 5km down. That section was pure grit. There was nothing left but determination and the thought of crossing that finish line.
You did an amazing job raising funds for youth homelessness. What was it like seeing your colleagues, friends and family support your run?
Fundraising for youth homelessness added a whole new dimension to the experience. Seeing colleagues, friends, and family rally around the cause was genuinely moving. Every message of support, every donation—it felt like I wasn’t running alone. People believed in why I was doing it, and that meant everything.
What would you say to someone considering doing a similar challenge/fundraiser?
To anyone considering a challenge like this: do it. It’s more than just a physical feat—it’s a chance to connect to something bigger than yourself. You’ll learn what you’re capable of, and you’ll be part of making real change. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
Jacinta’s incredible effort raised vital funds and awareness for youth homelessness—and proved what’s possible when one person takes a stand for change.
If you’ve ever considered taking on a personal challenge for a bigger cause, let Jacinta’s story be your inspiration.
Find out how you can get involved and make a difference today: www.anchor.org.au
