Hello, my name is Dillon Goss. In 2018, at the age of fourteen, I began running to improve my fitness for football and inadvertently found a passion for it.

Throughout my life, I've faced challenges with my mental health. School was particularly tough for me, taking a toll on my well-being, compounded by battles with depression and anxiety that continue today. Engaging in physical activities like running and sports has been tremendously beneficial for my mental health.

My running journey has been marked by a constant drive to push myself further. By the age of fifteen, I was already completing marathons around my hometown of Devonport.

In 2022, I decided to challenge myself in a competitive setting and entered the Cadbury Hobart Marathon, where I finished 8th and fell in love with racing. Despite continuing to play football that year, my thoughts often turned back to running. During the 2022 offseason, I set myself the ambitious goal of running 100 kilometers, which I achieved on October 14th in 9 hours and 5 minutes. This experience showed me that I am capable of more than I had previously believed.

In 2023, after finishing a successful football season, I found myself grappling with personal issues. To help clear my mind, I entered the Sydney Marathon on September 17th. Though still struggling mentally during that weekend, completing the marathon was a cathartic experience that prompted me to open up to my friends and family about my struggles. Seeking professional help, I began therapy to better manage my mental health.

Later in October 2023, I undertook another 100km run, inspiring me to use my running to raise awareness and funds for mental health causes. Throughout the summer, I continued with extensive runs, culminating in my longest run to date of 105km on Christmas Eve. I also achieved a personal best by finishing 4th in the Cadbury Marathon on January 7th, 2024, which fueled my desire to continue racing.

In February 2024, I won the Penguin Marathon, marking a high point in my running journey and prompting me to consider what new challenges lay ahead. Though I prepared for the upcoming football season, I ultimately decided to step away after just two games to focus on a running fundraiser.

And so, I will be running around Tasmania—a 1,300km journey—to raise awareness and funds for mental health in collaboration with SPEAK UP! StayChatTY. This cause is deeply personal to me as I continue to manage my own mental health struggles. I aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage others to speak out about their struggles, and raise funds to support SPEAK UP! StayChatTY's programs and community initiatives across Australia.

I love running, even when it challenges me, and I see this endeavour as an opportunity to push my physical and mental limits while experiencing the beauty of my home state, Tasmania.