Go Getta Girls founder Colleen Gunn with McGrath Foundation South Burnett Breast Care Nurse Roslyn MelmethFirst place was a family affair … Kirsten O’Connor, 10, from Nanango, came home first in the 4km while her dad Stephen took out the 8km run
May 14, 2013
Can you think of a better way of celebrating Mother’s Day than getting up at the crack of dawn on a chilly morn and running 8km? Or maybe walking a leisurely 4km?
Well, several hundred South Burnett residents thought it was a top way to start the day when they turned out at Memorial Park in Kingaroy on Sunday morning for the annual Mother’s Day Classic fun run.
The Kingaroy event, organised by the Go Getta Girls running club, was one of a series of Mother’s Day Classic events staged around Australia on Mother’s Day to help raise funds for breast cancer research.
And raise funds they did … although the final figures for online donations aren’t yet in, Go Getta Girls treasurer Donna Clark estimates between $6500 and $7000 was raised.
There were two events that participants could take part in: an 8km run or a 4km run / walk.
As well as paying an entry free, many also signed up sponsors to help them raise more cash donations.
Neither event was a competition, which is probably why many runners were sporting pink tutus and wigs as they hammed it up at the starting line.
It was all fun and games, but there was also a serious side to the morning.
McGrath Foundation South Burnett Breast Care Nurse Roslyn Melmeth reminded everyone there was a serious side to the event and the money that it raised.
“It is because of research and improved methods that many women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are here today,” she said.
She said that since it began more than 15 years ago, theMother’s Day Classic has raised $14.8 million for breast cancer research across Australia.
Rosyln then led the crowd in a minute’s silence.
This is the second year in a row that that a group of friends – and friends of friends – entered the fun run together; the “Never Lay Down and Dye” team this year consisted of about 30 runners / walkers all wearing tie-dyed shirts made by Shaque Dugdell; Greg Freeman, third from left, won the prize for the best costume on the day
Matthew Wyvill, from Kingaroy, looked triumphant as he crossed the finishing line
The first participant home was Kirsten O’Connor, 10, from Nanango, in a self-timed 17 min 51 sec
Wade and Kathy Reynolds, from Kingaroy, took Rylan, 3, and Zali, 2, along for the ride
Go Getta Girls president Jo Sellick and treasurer Donna Clark … the running club organised the Kingaroy Mother’s Day Classic
Lyn and Bill Jackson, from Kingaroy … together they raised $800 in memory of Bill’s sister Mary who died of breast cancer
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with husband Jason and daughters Elke and Lucy
Cheryl and Ken Mills with Cathy Davis were getting ready to change into their costumes
Nicole Connolly, Dennis Franklin and Rob Woodall from event sponsors Stanwell
Josh, 11, and Rose Ariola with Ana, Marian, 6, Jeana, 15, Marie, 12, and Jeever Yandog, from Kingaroy
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and wife Eleanor took part in the 4km walk / run
Veronica Harris on the tutu stand … many runners weren’t “tutu scared to wear one”!
Julie Stenning and Sally Robe, from Kingaroy, were offering encouragementAnd they’re off … participants in the 4km walk / run hit the bitumenMartin Boettcher, Emma Yeats and John Armstrong, from Kingaroy Rotary, were cooking up bacon and eggs so the runners could enjoy a hot breakfast
Dan O’Connor, from Kingaroy … getting ready for the run
Korina McNamara, Kingaroy with the SES’s Peter Verbakel were manning an intersection
Keeley, 7, and Tracey Schloss, from Coolabunia, with the Tribute Board in Memorial Park
