Our Collective Stories

On August 31, 2025, the race started at the TCS Sydney Marathon with historic anticipation. Sydney had just joined the ranks of the major marathons as an Abbott World Marathon Major, and Eliud Kipchoge—the man many call the greatest marathon runner of all time—was making his Australian debut.

“When I first heard about the Starting Line Scholarship, I was in a dark place. My anxiety and depression felt overwhelming, and I was searching for something—anything—that might help me move forward. One day, I saw a segment about the program on the local news. It sparked my curiosity, and a small voice in my head whispered, Why not give it a try? “

Todd Arkyn Crush was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 25 years old, but his battle with mental health has been going on for much longer than that.