This month the duo will be out and about more than usual as they attempt to clock up 200 kilometres as part of the Cancer Council's newest campaign The March Charge.

The Shellharbour resident lost her father Mark to spinal metastatic sarcoma in October last year and wants to run in his memory. She couldn't do it without her best friend Wallace by her side.

"I've had a passion for running for the past couple of years and when Dad was diagnosed with spinal cancer last May I just kept running and running - it seemed to help," Ms Doran said.

"Wallace really lights up my heart in his approach to life. He loves to run, he loves to leap in the air - he really is the Usain Bolt of the dog world.

"As we run, kids often yell out 'Here comes Wallace' and people slow down when they're driving past us to look at him run. They don't notice me at all - it's just 'Wallace and that girl'."

Bearded collies were once used primarily by Scottish shepherds and Ms Doran said Wallace certainly hadn't lost that herding instinct.

"Even if we've had a big run, he'll still come home and run circles around the yard," she said with a laugh.

On a serious note, Ms Doran hopes people will support her on this month's journey (go to www.themarchcharge.com.au and search for 'Sarah and Wallace').

"I loved my dad more than anything and I'd run to the ends of the earth for my family if my legs would carry me," she said.

NSW Cancer Council Southern Region spokesman Terry Keegan said the campaign, in its first year, was based on the fact that one third of cancers were preventable through a healthy lifestyle.

"As well as raising funds to enable Cancer Council to continue to support cancer patients and their families, it also encourages physical activity," he said.