The nurses are two of the hundred-plus staff at The Royal Children’s Hospital who get involved in the annual fun run year in, year out.

“This will be my eighth consecutive Run for the Kids event,” said Elise, 28.

“I do it for so many reasons; for the families and children we work with, for our colleagues, for our workplace, but also because of the feel-good atmosphere it never fails to create.”

Nicole, 27, has always been passionate about fitness and views the event as both a personal challenge and show of support for her colleagues, patients and their families.

“In addition to the staff-wide team, Elise and myself are also members of the Run for Remi team, which is in its second year,” she said.

“Remi is the son of Susy, our colleague and mentor in the Dolphin ward. He has osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

“When he relapsed last year we decided to also run in support of Remi and his family.”

“It definitely hit home when you’re running for someone close to you and it’s just as moving to see former patients participate as a way of saying thank you and to give back,” said Nicole.

“The key is to let the tears roll out once you get past the finishing line.”

Registrations opened at midday today (January 16) for the 2019 Herald Sun/Transurban Run for the Kids, which takes place on Sunday, April 7.

For more information and to register for the 5.6km Woodlea short course or 12.9km long course, visit runforthekids.com.au.

Words Charlotte Brundett, photos Tony Gough – Herald Sun