Cassandra Perri Brooks and husband Callum Brooks at the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival in 2021.
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“I’m not just running 42.2km — I’m running for women and children experiencing domestic violence who deserve to feel safe.”
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Cobram woman Cassandra Perri Brooks is preparing to run the TCS London Marathon in late April to raise money for a cause that is very close to her heart.
The annual marathon is one of the world's largest fundraising events, with over 56,000 people finishing the race in 2025. It is known as one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The 42.2 km (26.2 mile) race starts in Greenwich, crossing Tower Bridge and other landmarks, then finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
Cassandra said her decision to run was driven by a desire to raise awareness and support for others.
“Part of the reason I chose the London Marathon out of all marathons in the world is because London is the city I once moved to when I was rebuilding my life,” she said.
Cassandra said the idea to run the marathon originally came from her husband, Callum Brooks.
“It all started because my husband is a passionate runner and every year we enter the ballot for the London Marathon — but the success rate is extremely low, at less than five per cent,” she said.
“I wanted to surprise my husband with a place in the London Marathon, so I reached out to a few charities to try and make it happen — and then, as fate would have it, he broke his foot in February this year.”
Cassandra Perri Brooks doing the 20km SkyRun at the Buffalo Stampede Festival in 2024.
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That was supposed to be the end of it, but during an informal interview with a potential UK employer, Cassandra mentioned trying to secure her partner a place in the marathon — and was instead encouraged to take on the challenge herself.
Cassandra said she initially thought there was no way she could run a marathon, but after months of trying to secure Callum a place, the idea stayed with her.
Cassandra chose to run for Refuge UK, the largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK.
Although their places were already filled, she decided to reach out anyway and by chance, was offered the opportunity to run for the charity.
“Unfortunately, there are no Australian charities represented for this cause at the London marathon, so Refuge have made this run possible for me,” Cassandra said.
“Domestic violence is a global crisis, and it’s happening within our communities, to people we may know, and often in silence.
“I think sometimes people don’t realise just how much courage and support it takes to leave safely — or that the things we take for granted, like a safe place to sleep or someone to turn to, aren’t a reality for everyone.
“That’s a big part of why I chose this charity because it’s not just about awareness — it’s about real support that can genuinely change someone’s life.
“Sadly, domestic violence has also deeply impacted our community in Cobram, Barooga and surrounding towns over the past 24 months and long before that.”
Cassandra said securing a charity place in the marathon is “extremely difficult” as the application process is highly competitive.
“There are only three places for every 20 applicants received,” she said.
Cassandra said training for the marathon had been a challenge, but it’s the purpose behind it that motivates her.
“It’s not just about running any more — it’s about what each kilometre represents, and who it’s for,” she said.
After years of cheering Callum on from the sidelines, Cassandra said he was now looking forward to returning the favour and experiencing the atmosphere in a different way.
Cassandra said she would also like to express her gratitude to the incredible women within the local community who have already generously donated.
The 2026 TCS London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 26.
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