Every now and then, someone in our FOHER community reminds me exactly what 'Kit That Connects' truly means. Kerryn has been part of the FOHER Fam since 2018, and is an athlete whose story of courage, resilience and sheer determination has inspired us all for the longest time. I am a huge fan.
After losing her arm to necrotising fasciitis in 2013, Kerryn didn’t just return to sport, she redefined what was possible. Now, she’s chasing the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors 6-Star Medal, having conquered Tokyo, New York and Berlin (in record heat!), with London, Chicago and Boston to come.
Her story is one of heart, humour and unstoppable drive and yes, she’s doing it all in her favourite FOHER run hipsters! Read on and be inspired by one of the most incredible athletes we’ve ever had the privilege to call a FOHETTE. I personally CANNOT wait to read her book, which is due mid 2026 💖
x Kylie and the FOHER Team
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Kerryn Harvey, and I'm a long time FOHER ambassador who has proudly represented the brand since 2018. Triathlon has been my sport on and off for over 30 years and I have completed every distance from sprint through to IRONMAN both as an able bodied athlete and then all distances as a paratriathlete after becoming an upper limb amputee after contracting necrotising fasciitis in 2013.
Pic: Kerry Harvey, FOHER Co Ambassador since 2018
I was searching for a new challenge 3 years ago when a chance meeting with a fellow runner at a party set me on the path to a new goal. When he told me he was slowly ticking off all the marathons in the Abbott World Major Marathon series, it piqued my interest. After chatting further over a couple of champagnes, I knew it was something I wanted to do to.
The Abbott World Major Marathons Series consists of 6 marathons across the world (7 now with Sydney included). The original 6 are London, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Boston. Each marathon represents a star. Once a runner has completed all 6 they receive the coveted 6 star medal. I was/am super keen to earn that medal! The addition of Sydney is not included in the 6 stars. Sydney will eventually be part of a 9 star medal after 2 additional cities, Johannesburg and Shanghai come on board in the next 2-3 years.
Pic: Kez smashing out marathon training
Fast forward to March 2024 and I arrive super excited at the startline of Tokyo Marathon with 35,000 runners from across the world. If anyone knows how to put on a massive logistical event in one of the largest cities in the world it’s the Japanese. Everything ran like clockwork. Running through the concrete jungle of Tokyo was not overly exciting with few landmarks, but my aim was to chat to as many runners from different countries as possible enroute to keep myself entertained.
Pic: Kez loving the Tokyo Marathon vibe, rocking her FOHER Co Blue Can Do Run Hipsters!
At one stage a Taiwanese guy interviewed me on his gopro as we ran along together, that was livestreamed back to his local running club. Combined with the large but polite applause from the locals I pushed on to 28k before the going got tough, as it always does in a marathon. The last 14k was a run/walk as I dealt with cramp in an increasingly warm day. Crossing the line was overwhelming with huge crowds lining the finish line area. I made it! My first major marathon and first star!
Pic: Kez so close to the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon
I had not planned to run another major in 2024 but on arrival home I was feeling pumped about the whole experience, so I sent off an enquiry to Travelling Fit about the possibility of an entry for New York marathon. Low and behold a spot was available so before I had a chance to really think about it, I paid my deposit and committed.
So in November 2024 I find myself in one of my favourite city’s in the world, NYC! And boy do the locals know how to throw a marathon party! 55,000 runners set off in waves from Staten Island with a canon start and Frank Sinatra’s NY NY blaring over the speakers. I was crying with joy and happiness as I crossed the start line and immediately started running up the long hill of the Verrazzano Bridge that would send me to Brooklyn and through the 5 boroughs of NYC. There are 5 big bridges on course as runners traverse through Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan, before the finish in Central Park. The crowd on course was insane!
Pic: Kez on course at the New York City Marathon in her FOHER Co STAPLE Game Changer Run Shorts
There were 2 million spectators lining almost the entire length of the course 10-15 deep both sides of the road screaming, playing music, singing, blowing party poppers, and yelling out my name. I felt like a rockstar. There was so much to look at, it was sensory overload, but it kept my mind off the pain of running. It contrasted with the eerie silence of the bridges where there were no spectators at all, just the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing. I loved everything about this marathon. The atmosphere was like nothing I had ever experienced. The last 7k was so hard but the cool beats being played as I ran through The Bronx and the beauty of the last few k’s in Central Park with enormous crowds, were enough to get me to the finish line. My second major marathon and second star! This is without a doubt my best marathon experience ever and I recommend if you only run one marathon, do New York!
Pic: Kez with her New York City Marathon Finishers Medal!
After a faultless build, in September 2025 I arrived in Berlin for Major number 3. Berlin is recognised as a flat, fast course with cool conditions making it perfect to aim for a PB. At 60 I know my PB days are well and truly behind me, but it was a shock to arrive to the start line in 28C. With a late start of 10:40am the day just got hotter. In fact my garmin recorded a top temp of 33C. It turned out to be the hottest Berlin Marathon day on record. Having trained through Melbourne winter, I was not prepared for the heat and combined with an upset stomach the previous couple of days, it made for a perfect storm. By 5k I knew I was in big trouble. I was dead legged and my heartrate was skyrocketing. By 8k I had changed my strategy to a walk/run. The next 34k I was in a bubble, run until I can’t anymore, walk until I felt I could run, drink 1 full cup of water and 1 full cup of electrolytes at every aid station. I watched carnage all around me as nearly everyone’s dreams and hopes of a decent time were sucked right out of bodies under the blistering sun.
Pic: Despite the views, Berlin Marathon was a scorcher and exceptionally tough
Eventually I finished, grateful to still feel healthy, and relieved to reach the finish line. My time was a personal worst by over 35 minutes. It did not matter. I got what I came for. Just finishing major number 3 and gaining my 3rd star was enough and a huge win.
Pic: Kez finishing her third major marathon in Berlin
Currently I am in recovery mode but already have my spot in the highly sought after London marathon in April 2026. The plan is then Chicago in October 2026, and onto Boston in April 2027 where I hope to receive the prized 6 star medal.
I cant thank marathon event company Travelling Fit for organising all my trips to date. I also cant thank Kylie and the FOHER team enough for the best ever run hipsters to run in. No ride up, no chafe, fashionable, and loads of pockets to cover every need.
London, Chicago, Boston here I come……………………………
x Kerryn Harvey