Hundreds of people pounded Warrnambool’s foreshore promenade yesterday for a cancer fun run/walk.
THE Warrnambool Mother’s Day Classic run/walk yesterday had a delayed start after a flood of late registrations swamped organisers.
Event co-ordinator Jacqui King, who took on the role last year, said it was a delightful problem to have with between 350 and 370 participants helping raise more than $5000.
Mrs King became involved after one of her sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer. She said that fortunately her Brisbane-based sister, Erin Heath, got the news she was in remission at the end of March.
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“It was just a way for me to show support for Erin. She was running up in Brisbane today as part of the event,” the Warrnambool TAFE disability support team leader said.
She said the run was supposed to start at 9.45am but was delayed because of the large number of late registrations. “We started just after 10am. It was a good problem to have.”
Mrs King said that considering the weather warnings, she was pleased with the turnout.
“We estimate there were 350 to 370 people, we’re still counting up the registrations. There were 220 people pre-registered and we had another 120 forms today. We ran out of forms and had to start using the back of them,” she said.
“The event started at the carnival near the surf club. There were about 90 runners who went down Pertobe Road to the end of breakwater and back and along the promenade to Granny’s Grave and back, which was about eight kilometres. The walkers did the first four kilometres of that.”
The co-ordinator said the event attracted lots of women, although there was a healthy representation of men and families.
“There was lots of pink. We were raising money for breast cancer research. It was the fifth time the event was held in Warrnambool and the 15th time in Australia. I heard there were 40,000 people who ran or walked in Melbourne,” Mrs King said.
“The Warrnambool East Rotary Club donated the proceeds of a barbecue and we also had local musicians playing. I’d like to thank everyone for their support,” she said.
athomson@standard.fairfax.com.au
