While she didn’t run from Aparri to Jolo, Natalie Dau is crossing Luzon on foot, having started in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, before traversing Ilocos Norte, Baguio, Pangasinan, Zambales, Pampanga, and finally ending in Taguig.
At present, Dau is on the brink of completing “Project 1000: Philippines,” a 1,000-kilometer run across Luzon that began on April 21 and is set to end this Friday, May 2 in Bonifacio Global City.
While she is running the equivalent of two marathons per day for 12 consecutive days, Dau is not new to extremes. Last year, she became a Guinness World Record Holder for the Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot, having completed another 1,000-kilometer run from Thailand to Singapore in the same amount of time just last year.
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But for Dau, the finish line has never been the point, but what happens along the way. And for this Philippine-based run, the women’s advocate and keynote speaker is running for reasons that help others, namely education, equity, and empowerment through employment opportunities.
Running with purpose
In her early 50s, the Australian-born, Singapore-based ultramarathoner is racing not just against her own limits but toward real, lasting change.
She began “Project 1000,” which aims to raise awareness and funds for several meaningful causes. For the Filipino edition, one of its key beneficiaries is the Bayani Scholarship Program, an initiative of the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation that provides educational and employment opportunities for deserving students in Taguig.
Dau is also running to support grassroots organizations along her running route, including Tay-ac Elementary School in Ilocos Sur, Alon & Araw Club in Zambales, and the Sisters of Mary in Zambales, all organizations that seek to help underprivileged communities.
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How to help
While Dau may be pounding the pavement, everyone is invited to be part of “Project 1000” whether as a fellow runner, a quiet supporter, or a curious onlooker.
You can track Dau’s real-time progress through the live tracker at project1000.run, cheer her on virtually, or show support by donating to her GoFundMe campaign, which aims to raise AUD 50,000 (P1.8 million) for her various chosen communities and causes.
Those who want to experience the run firsthand can even sign up to join Dau for a leg of her journey at any point along the route.
And on May 2, all are welcome to witness the final moment of Dau’s run as she crosses the finish line at Jollibee 1000, located at 39th corner Triangle Drive, BGC.