General News
7 October, 2022
A Race for the Reef like no other
THE world’s first run4reef simultaneous race will arrive in Cairns this October 16 to raise funds to save the Great Barrier Reef.
For this first-ever international event, 23 cities across Australia and New Zealand will simultaneously race, bringing together over 100,000 runners of all abilities to protect the Reef.
Run4reef will have 1k, 5k and 10k events, plus an elite 10k run and races for children across the Esplanade.
Event coordinator at run4reef Fiona Dix said this event was historic for Cairns.
“Cairns is the home of the Great Barrier Reef, so it’s great to have run4reef as the signature event,” Ms Dix said.
“This event is the first of its kind; we’re competing against 23 other cities simultaneously, from Wellington and Auckland to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville and more.
“The initiative is about raising awareness of climate change and raising funds for the Great Barrier Reef; a portion of everybody’s entry will go towards Reef restoration, which is great for Cairns.
“So this event is particularly special for runners in Cairns, but it’s fantastic to have these cities jump on board as well,” she said.
Funds raised at the event will go to developing restoration programs like the innovative ‘plant a coral’ initiative and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
To keep the racers across Australia and New Zealand connected, the events will have a large digital screen to update runners, have live vision of all events and keep updated with the best times across all cities.
“Each event starts at the same time, and there’ll be a leader board where runners can see where they’re sitting,” Ms Dix said.
“So we have Olympian Steve Moneghetti running in Bendigo and some great runners across all cities.
“All Cairns wants to do is to beat Townsville, and there’ll be elite events where we’ll have well-known names competing against each other.”
A very special element of run4reef will be the events for children, so younger racers can participate and support the Reef’s protection.
“There’s a distance for everybody,” Ms Dix said.
“There’s a 1k event for our six- to 14-year-old up-and-coming eco-warriors, and parents can race with their children.
“We also have a 5k, and in Cairns, it’s going to be really speedy; we’ve got some really fast kids who actually knock your socks off.
“There’s a 10k event open to all abilities and a ‘Race to Zero’ where our elite runners will take on the best across Australia and New Zealand.”
Between some of the local young eco-warriors is 11-year-old Zachary Hudson, a passionate young runner committed to saving the Reef.
“I’m in the run4reef because I like running and because you can raise money and awareness to save the Reef,” Zachary said.
“I went to state cross country, came eighth, and I’m going to Track and Field State Championship soon.
“Running takes everything negative away; you’re happy when you’re running, and I’m just in the zone.
“I will be running the 5k at the run4reef; I’m very excited to be competing.”
Young competitor Olivia Stork will also compete in the 5k event at run4reef.
“I’m 10 years old, I’m in grade 5, and I go to Trinity Anglican School, and I just really enjoy running,” Olivia said.
“With run4reef, I’ll be doing the 5k race, and I’m super excited to compete because I’d love to be able to race to look after the environment, the Reef and all of the animals.
“I’d invite other kids to get involved because it would be fun for them, and they would be raising money for the Reef and the environment.”
To register and/or find out more about run4reef, visit https://www.run4reef.org/
Run4reef will also be taking registrations on site this October 16 at the Esplanade.
