Kingaroy’s Deon McLean, Deb Dennien and Dan O’Conner are part of the team responsible for relocating the Mothers Day Fun Run from Kingaroy to Wondai this year

May 16, 2017

Sunday’s Mother’s Day Classic may have had slightly lower participation numbers this year, but the popular annual event could still have raised the same amount for breast cancer research.

This year, the Fun Run was organised by the Kingaroy Nutters running group, and they decided to move it from its traditional home at Kingaroy’s Memorial Park to Wondai’s Coronation Park to take advantage of the South Burnett Rail Trail.

Organiser Dan O’Conner said the move had been partly prompted by convenience, but mostly by the desire to save the large amount of money former Fun Run organisers had to pay to get Kingaroy streets closed for the runs and walks that are central to the event.

Another change the Nutters introduced was to start the Classic an hour later – at 8:00am rather than 7:00am – to see if it would encourage more people to take part.

While the weather on Sunday was quite pleasant, some past Mothers Day Fun Runs have taken place on bitterly cold May mornings.

This year, the Fun Run attracted 80 pre-registrations and almost as many last-minute ones, which took place in the park between 8:00am and 8:45am.

After a minute’s silence to remember those who have suffered or passed due to breast cancer, the event got underway with a group warm-up to the sounds of ‘The Macarena’ blasted over a portable PA system.

After this, a small group of runners tackled an 8km course, followed by a much larger group either running a 4km course along the Rail Trail, or electing to walk it instead.

Most participants dressed fully (or partly) in pink to show their support for the Breast Cancer Foundation’s research efforts.

Mother’s Day Classic Fun Run local ambassador Cr Ros Heit, who is in remission from breast cancer, said this year’s event was hoping to raise more than $4 million across Australia.

Since 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has raised close to $30 million nationally for the Breast Cancer Foundation’s research.

By 2020, 17,210 women are predicted to be diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Australia – ie 47 women every day – as well as 140 men.

Update May 19: Organisers reported that this year’s Mothers Day Classic raised $3337.50 for breast cancer research.

Related articles:

Margaret, Hannah and Edward Allcock joined forces with Maitlyn Klibbe, Jan Irvine and Shereen Stimpson to tackle this year’s Mothers Day Fun Run
Claire Kapernick chatted with Cr Ros Heit before the Fun Run got underway
Angela Ellwood, Kerrie Le Du and her son Connor were looking forward to the run
Dad Gary McDonald brought along daughters Emily, 11, and Georgia, 8, to take part in the Fun Run with mum Sarah Herbohn and her daughter Latesha
Wondai Lions Fred Law, Doug Wells, Heather Field and Percy Iszlaub were on hand to serve up a great sausage sizzle breakfast
Fitness enthusiasts Sean and Liz Nicholson were keen try out the new Rail Trail course
Mum Heidi Lee brought along son Reagan, 8, and daughter Lacy, 9, in fun costumes
Before the Fun Run got underway, organiser Dan O’Connor and assistant Belle Freeman led the crowd through a warm-up inspired by ‘The Macarena’
After a small group had set off on the 8km run, a much larger group undertook the 4km course …
… and they soon stretched the full length of Coronation Park

 

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