Renee Batten approaches end of her costumed run challenge, clocking 3km per day in Red Nose Day fundraiser

Anyone who has seen a pumpkin, astronaut, or nun jogging casually along Middleton Road in the past few weeks can rest assured they are not witnessing an early Halloween parade, but merely the work of one dedicated fundraiser. Middleton Beach resident Renee Batten has taken up the challenge to run 3km every day of August to raise money for non-profit Red Nose Day. “Red Nose is well known for raising money for kids, people who experience miscarriages, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome,” she said. “It’s a cause close to my heart, as I had a family member experience a loss of a child and I thought it would be good thing to do. “I’m keeping active and raising money for a good cause.” An experienced runner, Ms Batten decided to up the ante of the challenge and notch her kilometres each day whilst donning a different costume. The 31 costumes have been bought, donated and borrowed from friends and include a Grinch, Sherlock Holmes, a cheerleader, banana, a Pooh Bear, Dracula and — Ms Batten’s most popular outfit — a nun. “I had a black eye from social basketball, so a nun with a black eye running down Middleton Road would’ve been a sight,” she said. On weekends, she varies the route to include the busy sea adjacent Golf Links Road to increase the likelihood of people seeing her and her campaign. “I’ve had lots of honks and lots of yelling out windows,” she said. “I’ve opened up Snapchat and Instagram and seen videos of me running in costume. “I hope people see me and wonder ‘what’s that lady doing?’ then can donate.” She plans to complete the final day of the challenge in the company of her family and friends, as they do a “remembrance walk” for the child who died. Ms Batten has already surpassed her goal of $3000 but hopes to clock a few more dollars before the fundraiser closes. Donations can be made on Renee Batten’s profile on the Red Nose website. Red Nose Day is on August 28 and has raised more than $18 million for SIDS research since 1988.