Peach’s Run
Saturday 8th November, 2025
A fitness challenge in honour of our great mate James ‘Peach’ Petrie.
We lost James in February 2022 after an intense mental health battle. Peach’s Run aims to honour James’s memory in the spirit of a physical challenge whilst raising awareness, a sense of community and vital funds to support local mental health based programs.
James was 33 years old when he passed and proudly wore the number 33 for the Waubra Football Club. Check out the Event Details below to see how we have incorporated his beloved #33 into Peach’s Run.
Count Down to The Run
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Our Sponsors
A sense of Community is what has enabled Peach’s Run to ‘get off the ground’. Please show your support to our generous Sponsors and help the Ballarat Community prosper.
Go SOLO (Single Entry) and walk or run a single (1 x 6km) lap around Lake Wendouree! Or maybe channel Peach’s competitive instinct and TEAM (Team Entry) up with some mates, family or colleagues and conquer a combined 33 laps of Lake Wendouree!! By participating in Peach’s Run, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for the James Petrie Fund via the Ballarat Foundation to support projects which respond to mental health issues in the Ballarat region. In an exciting announcement, our 2025 event will also directly support youth mental health programs through our new fundraising co-partner, Hand in Hand Ballarat, and their delivery of the Open Parachute program in local schools.
Curious to learn more about our new fundraising partner? Scroll down to find out how Hand in Hand Ballarat is making a real impact in our local schools through the Open Parachute program — and how your support of Peach’s Run in 2025 will help expand their reach. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for young people in Ballarat.
So are you ready to show some of Peach’s fighting spirit and tackle Peach’s Run? Check out the full Event Details, including ticket purchase, by clicking on the button below. We can’t wait for you to join us on Saturday, 8th November, 2025, to honour our great mate James ‘Peach’ Petrie.
LATEST NEWS
Joining Forces In 2025: Hand In Hand Ballarat Named Fundraising Co-Partner
Peach’s Run is more than just a fun run. It’s a powerful tribute to our great mate James ‘Peach’ Petrie—a much-loved Ballarat teacher, sportsman, and friend who we lost to his mental health battle in early 2022. What began as a way to honour his memory has become a growing community movement for mental health awareness, resilience, and connection within the Ballarat community.
Since launching in 2023, Peach’s Run has raised over $175,000 for local mental health initiatives through the James Petrie Fund at the Ballarat Foundation. And today, we’re proud to announce an exciting new chapter in our mission.
For the 2025 event, 50% of all profits will continue to go to the James Petrie Fund via the Ballarat Foundation, with the remaining 50% now going to Hand in Hand Ballarat—a passionate, grassroots initiative delivering life-changing mental health support for young people through the Open Parachute program in local schools.
The Open Parachute program is a peer-led, evidence-based initiative that empowers students, teachers, and families with real tools to build resilience, reduce stigma, and navigate life’s challenges. It’s an approach we wholeheartedly believe in—and one we know Peach would’ve backed too.
Peach’s Run 2025 will focus on youth engagement, with Ballarat high schools invited to take centre stage at this year’s event. Many are already participating in the Open Parachute program, and this is a powerful opportunity to give back—raising funds to keep the program alive and thriving in their schools.
Mental health can’t be solved in silos. It takes a whole community—walking, running, and showing up together. We’re honoured to now walk “hand in hand” with Hand in Hand Ballarat on this mission.
Peach’s Run 2025 takes place on November 8th at Lake Wendouree. Sponsorship opportunities are now open, and community support is what keeps this movement going. If you or your organisation are passionate about youth mental health and building a stronger Ballarat, we’d love to hear from you. Head to our CONTACT US page or send us an email at peachsrun@gmail.com
Every step counts. Every dollar counts. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet!
About James
James grew up in Ballarat in a loving family and was always the cheeky and adventurous one. As the family grew he became the fun uncle to 7 nieces and nephews.
He was a much loved, inspiring teacher at Ballarat High School who always empowered his students to reach their full potential. His strong leadership skills were also shown on and off the football field, as he was a respected player, coach and mentor within both the Ballarat North Soccer Club for 12 years and the Waubra Football Club for 10 years.
James was always an avid supporter of Mental Health Awareness and had an active involvement in campaigns such as: R U OK, Walking off the War Within, The Resilience Project, Kokoda Trek and Beyond Blue.
James was one of the most respected, loved and compassionate men you would ever meet. With the support of his loving family, devoted partner and his trusted tribe of friends by his side, he struggled through the darkness of depression for 12 months. When James found himself in the depths of depression he continued to be proactive and to use a variety of tools, resources and professional help to find a way out of the darkness which had consumed his life. High functioning depression may not always look like depression and can easily go unnoticed to those who are unaware and James was good at putting on a brave face. Sadly we lost James in February 2022. We are determined to ensure that his legacy will continue to make a difference for those suffering with this cruel disease.
Peach had a remarkable ability to light up a room and most would agree he was just ‘the best guy’ everyone knew! Peach’s Run is inspired by the fighting spirit he showed in his personal mental health battle and his love of a physical challenge – as always a WARRIOR to the end.
As we head into our third year, Peach’s Run continues to grow into something truly special — but we can’t do it without the support of our community. We’re calling on the Ballarat business community to stand with us and help take this event to the next level. Your sponsorship won’t just help us deliver a memorable day in honour of James ‘Peach’ Petrie — it will directly fund real, local impact.
Proceeds support mental health initiatives through the James Petrie Fund at the Ballarat Foundation, and in 2025, we’re proud to also partner with Hand in Hand Ballarat to help deliver the powerful Open Parachute program in local schools. Together, we’re creating a healthier, more resilient future for young people in our region.
If your business is passionate about youth mental health, community wellbeing, and making a difference right here in Ballarat — we’d love to have you on board.
