After all, they’re known as the “Ballina Babblers” for a reason: not even the punishing ascent of Heartbreak Hill could put the brakes on their rapid-fire banter. The Ballina Babblers warming up for the big race at Hyde Park on Saturday. Their matriarch is Anne “Anna” Sharpe (left). Audrey RichardsonThe matriarch of the Northern Rivers group is Anne Sharpe, 85, while their youngest member, Narelle Fahey, is a spritely 67. Together, they will take on the fun run on Sunday, 25 years after they first entered as a group of 10 in 2001.