Our Team

Picture above while competing in the World Marathon Challenge.

The history behind ‘Run For The Young’ started all because Beck Mitchell wanted to run her first marathon. In the first year, it was her and 98 other runners – and since then it has grown into a international running event, attracting international runners and ultra-marathon runners!

Beck Mitchell is an inspiring leader helping to change the lives of young people – and in February 2020 she became the 5th female to represent Australia in the World Marathon Challenge, running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days!!

Beck is our home grown hero and she continues to pour out her passionate for running and helping others every year at RFTY.

This is Kate, a Landscaper by trade with her own business as well as being a mum to two beautiful children. Starting Bridge Builders because of her daughter Anna, Kate not only Manages the Venue on-site but also leading on the UR Retreat for Young Women.
Kate’s fun fact is ‘I’m afraid of fish and fortunately only found out that I was swimming amongst jelly fish once I completed the triathlon’

This is Ady is a local runner who fell in love with the idea of running as an art form and a way to express and explore her surroundings. Ady recently came 1st in the Great Ocean Trail Ultra in October 2025 and enjoys the opportunity to tell a story or create something beautiful through sport. When Ady isn’t out on the trails, she works at a couple of universities as a Psychotherapist and tutor. Ady loves the passion, community and ethos at Bridge Builders and is excited for Run for the Young 2025!
Ady’s fun fact: ‘I was on Sesame Street when I was a kid. For the scene depicting the letter J’

This is Justin, an owner of a local accounting business that focuses on helping small businesses achieve big goals. When he is not helping his clients, you will find him with his kids running around Lilydale Lake or riding their bikes up Mount Dandenong.
Justin’s fun fact: ‘My life goal is to qualify and complete the Triathlon Hawaiian Ironman.

Above are a handful of incredible crew that make up part of our amazing team! Our event relies on the volunteer efforts of many people and RFTY simply wouldn’t be possible without them!

Every year, over 60 vollies give up their time to make the event something very special! These include a number of youth and young adults who are involved in the programs at BB. Not to mention the thousands of hours spent in the planning and preparation. For this, we are so grateful!

This is Nikola, an eBay reseller with his own business called ‘Reads & Reels Media’ as well as playing a massive role in Bridge Builders with not only Managing the Rego System, but being an Office Captains who maintains that the place is in tip top shape for projects and/or meetings.
Nikola’s fun fact: ‘I love board games. My favourite one is the one where people put meat and cheese on a board. With maybe like some fruit and crackers. I’m really good at that one.’

This is Ethan, an amazing and fantastic young man who is a new addition to being a leader with a heart of gold by helping in bigger areas of Bridge Builders such as becoming the second in command of our On-Site Manager for the run. Ethan is also willing to challenge himself both in his personal life and in leadership.
Ethan’s fun fact: I love cars, my favourite car is a ’69 Pontiac GTO

Starting Bridge Builders over 10 years ago as a quiet 17-year-old wall flower, Alex has stepped out of his comfort zone and started volunteering with events, like the first Marathon event in 2014 rising up through the leadership ranks with today being the Manager of not only Run For The Young, but three other enterprises in the Organisation.

This is Thomas, a passionate and determined young man who is always looking forward to stepping up whether that is as the merchandise/Social Media Manager for RFTY or in himself. This year will be Thomas fourth event starting with us in 2021 and being his third as one of the Area Managers. Outside of Bridge Builders, Thomas is studying a Diploma of Hospitality Management as well as working at his part-time job at Woolworths.
Thomas’s fun fact: ‘I use to work at a place called ‘Make and Bake’ for my schooling’

This is Anna, a beautiful young woman who has bloomed from a young person at Bridge Builders to now becoming an amazing leader alongside her mum and managing the start/finish line of Run For The Young with her team handing out medals and making sure participants cross the finish line.
Anna’s fun fact: ‘I was born and spent my first three years in Aruba — a tiny island just 20 miles long! in the Caribbean Sea. Despite its size, it’s full of culture, beauty, and Caribbean charm’