News

Special KIDS ONLY edition - 9/11/09

Are your shoelaces tied up nice and tight?

Finally, the days are warming up and the sun is lasting longer which is the perfect excuse to get outdoors.

The IGA Great Australian Junior and Family runs are now less than 20 days away and we can’t wait to see you on the start line.

Hundreds of other kids and their families will be running on Saturday, 28 November but will we spot you out in the crowd?

Make sure we can’t miss you by getting into the running festival spirit and dressing up in your most colourful clothes or fancy dress outfit!

Why not ask your friends to run too?

Running is not only a great way to keep fit and active; it can also be heaps of fun – especially when you run with your friends and family.

Ask your school or sports friends to run with you in the Great Australian Run’s on Saturday, 28 November – it’s not too late!

They can enter by visiting www.greataustralianrun.com.au.

Together, you can take part in the very first IGA Great Australian Junior or Family Run and make your way around Albert Park Lake, on the same road as the speedy cars from the Formula One Grand Prix.

Star send-off from Cathy Freeman

Organisers are pleased to announce athletics star Cathy Freeman as the celebrity starter for the IGA Great Australian Junior and Family Runs.

Cathy won a gold medal in the 400m event at the 2000 Olympic Games which were held in Sydney, Australia and will blow the horn on Saturday, 28 November to set you on your way along the 2km or 5km course.

Cathy knows exactly how much fun running can be, and she will be available all day to give you her tips before the race and congratulations as you cross the finish line.

Hot minute with Benita Willis

Benita Willis is a world cross country champion and will be Australia’s top female runner in the Great Australia Run elite race on Sunday, 29 November.

In preparation for her big race, Benita will be on hand to offer you her support for your run on Saturday.

We spent a bit of time getting to know Benita.

Age: 30

Hometown: Mackay, Queensland

Coach: Nic Bideau

Tell us your favourite...

Colour: Ocean Blue

Food: Apples

Movie: Happy Gilmore

Book:'‘Into thin air' and '‘It’s not about the bike'

TV show: Gossip Girls

Music: Shannon Noel, Justin Timberlake and Girls Aloud

What is your...

Proudest memory: Heading on road trips for family camping holidays

Goal for the future: To get back into cross country running and look forward to the London Olympics in 2012

Best tip for any kids running the IGA Great Australian Junior and Family Run: Enjoy the run with friends and family and make sure you stay to enjoy the atmosphere after the run.

Best tip for kids who would like to follow in your footsteps and become an elite runner: Try loads of different sports while you are young, and don’t rush into specialising in a particular sport or event. If you enjoy athletics, it a great sport to participate in – you meets lots of new friends and can travel around the world to compete.