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:
- Pink Powers Breast Cancer Research (2016)
- Mums Just Want To Have Fun (2015)
- Girl Power Hits The Streets (2014)
- A Fun Run Way To Celebrate (2013)
- Girls On The Run On Mother’s Day (2012)
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