Catriona Bisset | The Unlosable Race
Published Thu 18 Feb 2021
Most athletics narratives are defined by winners and losers, but most athletics narratives are not written by Catriona Bisset.
On March 2nd at the “Box Hill Burn”, Bisset and long-time friend Linden Hall will line up among others in hot pursuit of Brittany Kaan’s 1000m record of 2:37.80 - but that incentive falls behind Bisset’s priority to “reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.”
The “30 for 30” fundraiser aims to raise $30,000 to match the rate at which Lifeline receives a call from someone in need - every 30 seconds. The funds raised will go towards ensuring as many calls as possible can be heard by the team of volunteers.
Already a community custodian for Lifeline, Bisset first hatched the idea of using her profile to generate discussion regarding mental health during various lockdowns amidst the heat of the pandemic - a time she acknowledges as “a mental health crisis.”
“I came up with the idea to attempt to break an Australian record as a way of knocking off a few different things like raising awareness, raising money, and also just pursuing an amazing achievement,” she said.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be the one to break the Australian record but I think someone will, and that’s going to be part of the fun.”
Having endured an extended period out of the sport when navigating well-publicised mental health issues, a rejuvenated Bisset returned to the athletics scene to break the Australian 800m record in a time of 1:58.78 - her growth as an athlete reflective of her growth as a person.
“I’ve used Lifeline before when I’ve had really down periods so I’m really passionate about helping them,” she said.
“I’ve had my share of struggles in the past but I wouldn’t trade those in. I feel like that period of learning about myself and learning all the management skills has made me the athlete that I am now.”
The Australian record holder credits creating a holistic lifestyle as the catalyst for her progress, encouraging her peers to seek fulfilment both on and off the track in a bid to empower others.
“It’s not enough just to win medals or run fast, as an athlete you need to find other areas that you can make a difference and being a role model is such a motivating factor for me,” she said.
“It’s important for us to be creative in the positive impact that we can have. We have these amazing platforms and I hope this is an example as to how other athletes can make a difference.”
Acknowledging that the 1000m event is a unique event, Bisset hopes that the ‘record’ component will please the athletics fans, whilst the distance is relatable to those in the greater community.
“The Australian athletics community loves records - everyone is just obsessed with them and all the stats!” she laughed.
“Next time you run or walk a kilometre, compare it to 2:37.80 (the Australian women’s record set by Brittany Kaan) or 2:16.09 (the men’s record set by Jeff Riseley).”
The 26-year-old says that the support to date has been “overwhelmingly positive” and reflective of the community’s willingness to participate in the cause.
“It shows the power of the athletics community when we get together to pursue a common goal,” she said.
Both Bisset and Hall have proven this season that they are in sublime form, and the Australian record holders over 800m and 1500m respectively are set to put on a show over 1000m to cap off a fantastic initiative.
Whether it’s Bisset or Hall, record or no record - the greater purpose of the event will undoubtedly be achieved through the important conversations it inspires and the generous support of the team at Lifeline.
If you are in a position to donate to the initiative you can do so here: https://www.givenow.com.au/crowdraiser/public/30for30.
By Lachie Moorhouse
Posted: 18/2/2021
