The 25-year-old athlete had planned on tackling the grueling 42-kilometre race with her father Peter beside her, but now she will run alone.

She is using the run to raise funds for the Heart Foundation after the Hogg family was shocked when Peter, an avid runner, died suddenly from heart failure on April 19.

The 53-year-old Warrnambool man left behind daughters Alyce, Jess and Georgia and his wife Chris. ‘‘He was a very fit man,’’ Jess Hogg said.

“He ran 10 marathons, one of which we did together last year. He was also into martial arts and was a black belt.

‘‘He did everything for us. He loved his girls and he loved mum.’’

Miss Hogg, who grew up in Warrnambool and now studies and lives in Geelong, said her father was feeling unwell on the day he died.

The pair decided not to go on a run together that morning.

‘‘He suddenly passed that night,’’ she said.

‘‘It was a real big shock. You don’t ever think something like that is ever going to happen to you, but it does. That’s why I really wanted to do this fund-raising and raise a bit of awareness, because if he had gone to the doctor, potentially they could have picked it up and he could still be here.’’

Miss Hogg said she wanted people to realise they were not invincible.

‘‘He was a super dad and you would never have thought that this would happen to him,’’ she said.

‘‘He was a non-smoker and led a very healthy lifestyle. He didn’t really drink anymore and he was doing the right things, which makes it so frustrating.’’

Miss Hogg urged people to make an appointment with their doctor if they were feeling unwell.

‘‘Try and visit your doctor once or twice a year just for a check-up,’’ she said. ‘‘You may have something that is picked up and, at the end of the day, a five-minute trip to the doctor could potentially keep you around for a lot longer.’’

She said her family was coping without the dedicated father and husband as best as they could. ‘‘Obviously it’s not easy living life without him,’’ Miss Hogg said.

“Mum has been really, really strong. We are doing the best we can and we have had wonderful support.’’

Mr Hogg was an eighth generation watchmaker and ran Jewellery and Watch Services (JAWS).

‘‘He did his watchmaking apprenticeship there and took over the business from his Dad,’’ Miss Hogg said.

‘‘Mum and dad met at the jewellery shop when they were 17. They were married for about 30 years.’’ 

Miss Hogg is in full preparation mode for the marathon, completing six training sessions a week, clocking up more than 65 kilometres.

'‘Running is very therapeutic,’’ she said.

Miss Hogg said raising money for the Heart Foundation was an obvious choice.

After reaching her original fund-raising goal of $1000 in one day, her new goal is $3000.

Donations can be made at runforheart.everydayhero.com/au/jess