When local fitness advocate Jess Hammond took part in the Stadium Stomp at the Sydney Cricket Ground last weekend, a wedding proposal on the finish line was the last thing she was expecting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Hammond took part in the event along with partner Phil O'Brien and Natalie Newman as the leading fundraising team for Beyond Blue.
After braving the flu to complete 20 kilometres [22,000 stairs], Ms Hammond was greeted with a stunning surprise: Phil on one knee.
"I was setting up an interview with the event's organisers when, all of a sudden, the interviewer passed the microphone over to Phil," she said.
"Once Bruno Mars' 'Marry You' started playing in the background and we were projected on the big screen, it suddenly occurred to me what was happening; it was a massive surprise."
The proposal capped off a monumental day for Ms Hammond and her team, who successfully raised $1100 for Beyond Blue.
READ ALSO: Bathurst's Elise Fowler in New York
Ms Hammond said it was a blessing to raise money for a cause very close to her heart.
"Having dealt with the troubles of depression and anxiety myself, choosing Beyond Blue as our charity of choice was a no-brainer," she said.
"The desire to support those who struggle with mental heath is what powered me through the climb."
Ms Hammond works at Healthworld as a personal trainer and runs Keep It Real Mobile, a personalised home fitness experience for those who feel nervous about attending the gym.
"Fitness is a great way to release positive endorphins and reduce the effects of stress and anxiety," she said.