A gruelling 50km charity walk raising awareness for mental health will finish in Milton, with exhausted participants expected to arrive at Suncorp Stadium just as Brisbane’s Magic Round crowds begin pouring into the precinct.
Former NRL players, sporting personalities and community supporters will spend 12 hours crossing Brisbane on foot as part of the “M-Brace the Magic” fundraiser, linking one of the city’s biggest sporting weekends with a growing mental health awareness movement.
The event aims to raise money for free mental health services while encouraging more open conversations around anxiety, depression and trauma.
For Milton residents and businesses, the fundraiser’s finish line at Suncorp Stadium is expected to add another layer of atmosphere to an already packed Magic Round weekend.
The walk will take place on Friday, May 15, beginning in Hamilton at 5:30 a.m. before winding through suburbs including Kangaroo Point, Hawthorne, Bulimba, South Brisbane, West End and St Lucia. Participants are expected to arrive at Suncorp Stadium around 5:30 p.m. ahead of the opening Magic Round clash between the Sharks and Bulldogs.
Former rugby league players Ryan Girdler, Tim Smith, Dene Halatau and Todd Carney are among those expected to participate. Organisers say the connection between the walk and Magic Round was intentional, with rugby league’s strong sense of community helping provide a platform for mental health advocacy.
The final stretch into Milton is expected to be one of the most emotional parts of the day as participants complete the 50km challenge after walking across the city.
Organisers say the event is designed to show how community support and shared experiences can help people struggling with mental health issues feel less isolated. Milton businesses and hospitality venues are also expected to benefit from increased foot traffic as participants, volunteers and supporters gather near the stadium precinct.
Event partner Sip Coco will provide hydration throughout the day, including at scheduled pitstops where participants can rest before continuing the walk. Organisers hope the strong visibility of the event around Suncorp Stadium will help bring further attention to the importance of accessible mental health support.
Mental health advocates have increasingly turned to large-scale community events and sporting partnerships to encourage Australians to seek help earlier and speak more openly about their experiences.
By the time walkers reach Milton at the end of the day, organisers hope the event will have achieved more than fundraising alone — creating lasting conversations around mental health across Brisbane communities.
Published 11-May-2026
