Lucy Stackpool-Moore

My Elements Challenge 2025 

This year I’ll race 240km across four beautiful locations in Australia, each inspired by one of the classical elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind this year. 

I’m not a natural runner, but I love it! As a rower, I’m more used to sitting down and going backwards... My Elements Challenge is a personal challenge I’ve been dreaming about for a while. I've made it up as a way for me to push myself physically and mentally, while also raising funds and support for Watipa. To date, Watipa has supported over 70 disadvantaged young leaders with their education, so that they can 'pay it forward' and lead the change they want to see in their communities. 

We launched Watipa back in 2016, and since then, we’ve had more ideas and ambitions than we’ve been able to fund. That’s where this challenge comes in. The funds raised will go directly to launching a new initiative :  Watipa’s Social Impact Leadership Academy. This new program will give our alumni – young leaders from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and beyond – more opportunities for mentorship and engagement with each other and with mentors around the world. These incredible individuals are already doing amazing things in their communities, and with a little extra support, we can help them scale their impact even further.

What is my Elements Challenge?

Race 240km across four beautiful locations in Australia. It will also include a Spartan event with others raining funds for Watipa in September (let me know if you want to join our team!) and possibly a bonus 100Km in December.... if I am on track with this challenge.

Here’s what I’ve got planned:

**FIRE - supporting the NSW Rural Fire Service

6 Foot Track Marathon, Blue Mountains, NSW 

March 8, 2025

45km, 1,420m elevation gain, 1,290m loss  

This iconic marathon is known for its challenging terrain – steep climbs, river crossings, and stunning views. I’ll be aiming to complete the course in under 7 hours (extremely tough cut off), with proceeds from the event going to support the NSW Rural Fire Service.

**WATER - through rainforests and wetlands

Washpool Heritage Trail, Gibraltar Range National Park, NSW**  

March 24, 2025

50km, 1,250m elevation change  

Next up is a 50km race through single track, tree ferns, rugged forest trails, wetlands and plenty of hills. The event is organized by Coffs Trail Runners, a volunteer-my local running with events that are affordable and accessible for the community. This will be extremely tough, as it's only 2 weeks after the 6 Foot Track marathon and I won't have had time to recover from the first event.

**EARTH - amongst the rugged red earth of outback Australia

West Macs Monster, NT

May 16, 2025

65km, 1,630m elevation gain, 1,820m loss  

The Larapinta Trail in Central Australia one of my favourite places on this planet, with some of the country’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes. The event is organised by the Alice Springs Running and Walking Club, and just recognised as The Community Event of the Year at the 2025 Centralian Awards. I’ll be taking on the 65km route from Standley Chasm to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station along the high route.

**WIND - braving the gusts along the ocean clifftops in Sydney's urban ultra

Bondi to Manly Ultra, NSW

October 25, 2025

80km, 1,772m elevation change  

The final race of the year (at this stage.... although who knows, perhaps I will add a bonus event if all goes well) will be a beautiful 80km stretch from Bondi to Manly along Sydney’s Eastern and Northern coastline. It’s a not-for-profit event, with all proceeds supporting the refurbishment of the trail. Stunning views, coastal winds, and a challenging run make it one of the most iconic coastal routes in the world through an urban jungle.

Why support this challenge?

My goal is to run (alot) and raise $10,000 to help fund the launch of Watipa's new Social Impact Leadership Academy. The funds will help us develop a pilot program to provide tailored mentorship, training, and connections with global thinkers who can inspire and guide them. Every dollar raised will help make that vision a reality. 

About Watipa (watipa.org)

Watipa is a social enterprise working to enable equal societies, just development and better health for all. Through our network of global public health professionals, gender experts, sustainability consultants and locally active citizens, we provide tailored consultancy services to inform and catalyse positive social change. Our profits support Watipa’s scholarship and mentorship programmes, which we seek to enhance by also launching a new Social Impact Leadership Academy in 2025. 

At Watipa, we believe that education has the power to transform lives and communities. Since 2016, our scholarship program has enabled more than 70 young people across sub-Saharan Africa learn how to become the leaders of the change they want to see in their cities, towns and villages. It's a 'pay it forward' model, and to date 100% of the graduates we have supported are also inspiring leaders supporting others in their communities.

Thank you

On a personal level, the support will mean the world to me. The races themselves are the fun part – the thrill of crossing the finish line, the energy of the crowds, and the sense of accomplishment. But the real challenge is in the months of preparation – the early mornings, the long training runs, the cramps and muscle soreness, the hours at the gym, and the recovery meals (trust me, some of them are not delicious!). Knowing that I’m not doing this alone will keep me going through the toughest days.

Thank you for your support.