A 50km mental health fundraising walk involving former NRL players and sporting personalities will begin in Hamilton, with participants set to depart from Hercules Street Park before making their way across Brisbane ahead of Magic Round.
The “M-Brace the Magic” walk will take place on Friday, 15 May, running from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Participants will begin at Hercules Street Park in Hamilton before travelling through Kangaroo Point, Hawthorne, Bulimba, South Brisbane, West End and St Lucia, eventually finishing at Suncorp Stadium for the opening Magic Round game between the Sharks and Bulldogs.
Among those taking part are former NRL players Ryan Girdler, Tim Smith, Dene Halatau and Todd Carney, alongside other sporting identities and media personalities.
According to organisers, the event aims to raise awareness around mental health as rates of anxiety, trauma and depression continue to rise across Australia. Money raised through the fundraiser will go towards free mental health services.
The event is linked to Magic Round weekend, one of the largest events on Brisbane’s rugby league calendar.
For Hamilton residents, the fundraiser places the suburb at the official starting point of the 50km walk. Participants are expected to walk in stages ranging from 10km to 14km between scheduled breaks. The event will include morning and afternoon pitstops at the City Botanic Gardens.
Brisbane beverage company Sip Coco has partnered with the event and will provide drinks to participants during the walk. The company’s range includes pure coconut water as well as flavours including passionfruit, ginger, watermelon, lychee and pineapple.
Sip Coco said the partnership marks its second involvement in a sporting event following a partnership with Surfing Queensland’s Gold Coast Open earlier this year. Sip Coco Marketing Director Tayla Dodd said the company was proud to support the fundraiser.
“With no added sugar and five natural electrolytes – sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus – our pure coconut water is the perfect way to rehydrate after a long walk,” she said.
“We applaud all the players, athletes and fans who are tackling this epic walk for a good cause.”
The company launched in June last year and says more than 500 cafes and retail outlets around Australia now stock its products.
Organisers say the fundraiser is designed to raise both money and awareness around mental health support.
Published 11-May-2026
