Go for gold and live the Olympic dream

The 39-year-old triple Olympian is an official ambassador for the Rebel Sport Run4Fun, presented by The Sun-Herald, and hopes to tackle the 10-kilometre run through Olympic Park on November 6. The event, she says, is an opportunity for mothers, fathers and children to experience some Olympic inspiration with the finish line inside ANZ Stadium.

"The great thing about the Run4Fun is that you get the opportunity, in a small way, to experience what it's like to run into an Olympic stadium," Gainsford-Taylor said. "[At the Sydney Olympics] lining up for the 100m and the announcer saying my name, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, and then the roar and the cheering of the crowd, that's something you never forget. There won't be 100,000 people sitting in the stands but it will still be very special to run in and see yourself on the big screen and know you've finished a 10-kilometre race."

Since her retirement from international competition in 2002, Gainsford-Taylor has become a mother of two and established a career in the media and coaching athletics for children. She urged participants to get active and support the event's charity partners - Westmead, Sydney and John Hunter children's hospitals.

"There is nothing worse than when your children aren't well and it just seems like an easy thing to do, to go in the Run4Fun and help fund-raise for the hospitals that treat our kids," she said.

The rundown

To enter, see run4fun.com.au. Rebel Sport Run4Fun presented by The Sun-Herald is proudly supported by Brooks, Sydney Olympic Park, ANZ Stadium, Novotel, Timex, R4YL, Nova 96.9 and our charity partners The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Kaleidoscope Hunter Children's Network, Newcastle and the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.