Queen of Hearts: Dawn Beaumont’s Journey Across Australia

Dawn Beaumont never planned to become an endurance athlete. Growing up on the west coast of Australia, she started as a junior cyclist before shifting her focus to work and mining. But life has a way of redirecting our paths, and for Dawn, that redirection came through a series of personal experiences that would transform her into an extraordinary adventurer.

“I needed to drop some weight,” Dawn recalled. “There was a bit of a health scare.” Her husband suggested running, and she took up the challenge. Her first half marathon came about 14 years ago, followed by an eight-day hike on the challenging Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea with her father. Dawn did not realize at the time that these steps into the outdoors would serve as the first pieces of her journey as the face of Queen of Hearts. 

A Moment That Changed Everything

The real turning point came when her mother had a heart attack. Dawn was there, performing CPR in a public venue, keeping her mother alive. That moment crystallized something important for her: cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer of women in Australia.

“I wanted to do something on a big scale,” she said. “I knew I was pretty good mentally. I had strong resilience.”

The Birth of Queen of Hearts

Ten years ago, Queen of Hearts Run and Ride was born. The name, cleverly conceived by her husband Kurt, was more than just a catchy title. It represented the gambling aspect of heart health – you only get one heart, and you can’t simply replace it. 

“You’re playing poker with your life,” Dawn explained. “Hearts aren’t something you can just get off the shelf.” 

An Incredible Challenge Takes Shape

Dawn’s current mission is nothing short of extraordinary. She plans to traverse 20,000 kilometers around Australia in 200 consecutive days, completing a duathlon every single day. We’re talking about an average of 15-20 kilometers of running and an 80-kilometer bike ride, day after day.

“It’s about managing the load efficiently,” she said. “We’ll flex as we go, with peaks and troughs to allow my body to rest.”

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Preparation Beyond Physical Limits

What sets Dawn apart is her approach. She’s not about “staying hard” or pushing through at all costs. Instead, she meticulously planned every aspect of her journey with a team of experts, including Riley Cocks from Runners One, who helped design her training strategy.

“There’s no point in wrecking myself,” Dawn emphasized. “We want to demonstrate a considered, trained, healthy approach.”

The Mental Challenge

As the start date approaches, Dawn has discovered that the mental preparation is just as crucial as the physical. Working full-time while training and managing the logistics of her journey has been overwhelming.

“I reached out to a psychologist to get tools for not feeling overwhelmed,” she admitted. “I wasn’t expecting to feel anxious, especially given my background in high-risk environments.”

A Journey of Purpose

Beyond the physical challenge, Dawn’s mission has a deeper purpose. She wants to raise awareness and funds for two organizations while challenging perceptions about endurance challenges, particularly those led by women. One of the organizations Dawn is raising support for is one she manages. 

A big part of what she is doing is hoping to change the narrative for female athletes. “Most endurance fundraising events in Australia lately have been led by men.”

The Excitement of the Unknown

When asked what excites her most, Dawn’s eyes light up. “I’m super excited about seeing remote communities and having conversations with people most will never meet. It’s going to be a wild ride.”

On February 25th, at 6:30 in the morning, Dawn will start her journey from Adelaide, embarking on a 200-day adventure that promises to inspire, challenge, and transform perspectives about what’s possible.

Her message is clear: heart health isn’t a game. Moving across Australia as the Queen of Hearts, the most powerful way to make a difference is to take one step – or in her case, 20,000 kilometers – at a time. 

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