News
The Great Australian Run countdown continues – two months to go! - 29/9/09
Welcome to Great News – the official e-newsletter of the 2009 Great Australian Run, which will deliver all the information you require about this unique event.
Today marks just two months to go until the 2009 Great Australian Run – and whether you plan to walk it, jog it or race it, we’d love to see you on the start line.
Enter now to win a trip to the UK
Next year the Great North Run will celebrate its 30th birthday and we are offering a unique opportunity for two lucky Great Australian Run participants.
All those who enter the Great Australian Run by Friday 23rd October will go into the draw to win two entries, including return flights from Australia to Newcastle, to participate in the 30th Great North Run.
Join the global craze that is the Great Run series. Have you and your friends entered yet? Visit www.greataustralianrun.com.au to secure your place on the start line now.
Fittest Footy Fans
The footy season may be over, but it’s not too late for your team to finish on top.
Back by popular demand in 2009 is the Fittest Footy Fans Challenge. Select your favourite AFL team when you enter online at www.greataustralianrun.com.au and you register to run for your Club. The first 30 male and female finishers for each club will have their times averaged to determine the team with the fittest fans. Prizes, including a $75 gift voucher from adidas, will be awarded to these 60 runners from the winning team.
So far Carlton is leading the charge with the most runners signed up to race for the Blues, with St Kilda lagging behind in last place (perhaps Saints fans have had more pressing matters on their mind?!).
Some of the AFL players that have already signed up to run on November 29th include Essendon’s Jobe Watson, Collingwood’s John Anthony, Richmond’s Brett Delidio and the Kangaroos’ Michael Firrito. The players are set to lead their respective Club teams on event day in an attempt to ensure the Magpie’s don’t claim back to back flags. Keep an eye on www.fittestfootyfan.com.au for more player announcements in the coming weeks.
Why run for fun?
Here’s what motivates some of our 2009 Great Australian Run entrants:
Garry Womsley, Toongabbie NSW: “In 1986 I was 122kg. Today I am around 76kg. I took up running in 1998 and have since won 52 state medals (NSW) and 18 national medals (masters). My specialty is 3000m steeplechase where I have won 6 out of the last 8 state titles in my age group. I'm also a level 3 coach who had the honour of coaching an Australian representative at the Oceania Championships recently. I'm also a qualified official and officiated at last year's Sydney Track Classic. You can call me an athletics enthusiast. I love the sport that has been so good to me.”
Elena Craft, Texas, Austin: “I'm on my honeymoon!!”
Joanna Henley, Melbourne Vic: “Just doing this for motivation to keep active.”
Fiona Handbury, Sunbury Vic: “My son Harry was born with a rare brain disorder. By race day he will be 4yrs old and the size of an 18mth old. I am going to use this event to raise funds for and awareness of The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.”
So far Fiona and Harry have raised $815, with the tally still rising. You can get behind their fundraising effort by donating at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/fiona_handbury
Be a hero
If you want your efforts in the Great Australian Run to contribute to more than just your fitness, why not follow Fiona’s lead and raise funds for a charity of your choice via the Everyday Heroes website. Choose a cause close to you and once you receive confirmation of your entry set about persuading friends and family to sponsor you - so much per km, or maybe a successful finisher donation, or even perhaps a bonus for achieving a target time. Who knows, get creative. All those cents add up to dollars and it makes a welcome income for your chosen charity.
The footballers are getting behind The Humour Foundation, whose core project is the Clown Doctors. Clown Doctors treat kids in hospital with a different kind of medicine, with doses of smiles and laughter. By parodying the hospital routine, the Clown Doctors help children feel less traumatised by medical procedures. Oversized medical equipment, 'red-nose' transplants, 'cat' scans, humour checks and funny bone examinations are all part of the fun. By exaggerating intimidating jargon and procedures, fear and anxiety are reduced.
Have you got an interesting story to tell?
Whether you’re walking, jogging or racing the Great Australian Run, if you’ve got an interesting story to tell, we’d love to hear it. Maybe you’ve bounced back from adversity, organised your work colleagues to run for a worthy cause or maybe you and your mates are planning on wearing a quirky costume on the day.
The media team at the Great Australian Run would love to hear your inspirational or interesting story - email details to media@greataustralianrun.com.au
Great fun for all the family
Don’t forget to include the kid’s this year. Saturday 28th November is the date for families and children aged 11 to 14 to run or walk 5km in the Junior Great Australian Run, whilst those aged 3 to 11 years of age can participate in the Great Australian Family Run over 2km (with an accompanying adult if you like).
Both races will be staged on self-contained courses within Albert Park providing a fun opportunity for youngsters to burn around the Formula 1 Grand Prix Track!
Entry costs just $25 and all entrants receive a free t-shirt as well as a finisher's pack which includes a medal, sponsor giveaways and more.
Need some training partners?
Then join adidas and the Crosbie Crew in their regular training run series leading up to the 15km Great Australian Run on Sunday 29th November.
You can join in for a graduated series of training runs aimed at getting you fit, fired up and motivated to tackle Australia's best 15km event. All runs will be supervised by experienced run leaders who will guide your pace, answer any questions and make sure you are well prepared to take part in the Great Australian Run.
When & where to meet: Please be at Gate D of the Botanical Gardens (near the corner of Domain Rd & Anderson St) by 8:50am each Saturday morning for a 9:00am start.