May 3, 2018
Cherbourg’s annual Reconciliation Fun Run will be making its fifth outing on Sunday, May 20, and this year it’s expanding its scope.
Instead of a 7km run (or walk) from Murgon to Cherbourg, there’ll also be a 10km course for serious runners who want to test themselves, and a gentler 3km course for those who prefer something shorter.
The 7km and 10km courses will start from the Murgon Showgrounds at 8:00am, and participants should be there from 7:00am to sign on.
The 3km event will start at Cherbourg’s Memorial Park at 9:30am.
However, because the road between Murgon and Cherbourg will be closed between 8:00am and 10:00am for the Fun Run, participants will need to get to Cherbourg by 7:45am.
Runners and walkers will be able to pause at drink stations set up along the courses, and this year all events will have electronic timing, too.
All three races will finish outside The Ration Shed Museum in the heart of Cherbourg, and will be followed by the presentation of medals to the top place-getters in each category and an after-party featuring live music, food and market stalls.
Free shuttle buses will be running from Cherbourg to Murgon from 11:00am to 1:00pm to help people who parked at the Showgrounds get back to their cars.
Last year an estimated 500 people took part in the Fun Run, which was a new record for the family-friendly event.
But this year organisers are hoping to exceed that target.
Fun Run organiser Zona Hussey-Smith said studies of previous runs had shown that up to 65 per cent of people who take part in the Reconciliation Fun Run live outside the South Burnett.
“We also have a large roll-up from Kingaroy and Wondai who come each year, too,” she said.
“For many people, the Fun Run is their first visit to an Aboriginal town and we’ve found it really helps break down barriers.
“It’s just a wonderfully friendly, happy day.”
National Reconciliation Week will be held from May 27 to June 3, and the Fun Run is the South Burnett’s curtain-raiser for it.
This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is ‘Don’t Keep History a Mystery’, which invites all Australians to come together to learn, share and develop a deeper understanding and broader acceptance of our shared national story.
Proceeds from the day will go towards supporting The Ration Shed Museum, which preserves the history of the Cherbourg community.
Runners and walkers who’d like to participate in this year’s event need to register online by May 18.
Related articles:
- Another Record-Breaking Run … For Fun (2017)
- Big Day Tops Off A Big Effort (2016)
- Fitness, Fun And Friendship (2015)
- Running For Fun And Reconciliation (2014)
