Moneghetti helps launch Run for Reef
Moneghetti helps launch Run for Reef
Monday August 18 2014, 3:10pm
A university, a bank and an Aussie marathon icon have joined forces to launch the 2014 Run for the Reef.
Runners from James Cook University and Bendigo Bank joined legendary Australian marathoner Steve Moneghetti at Salt House Restaurant on Cairns Esplanade on Friday morning to launch the Run for the Reef, which will raise money for the Reef Research Fund.
The Reef Research Fund is administered by James Cook University and supports research into serious threats to the health of the Great Barrier Reef, including the Crown of Thorns Starfish, climate change and water quality issues.
Bendigo Bank will be hosting five-kilometre Run for the Reef Challenges at Port Douglas, Smithfield, Innisfail and Atherton, with registration open on the bank’s Facebook page until September 1.
Run for the Reef will donate $20 out of every registration fee to the Reef Research Fund.
The launch event at Salt House was attended by Run for the Reef organiser Sam Cullen, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Alex De Waal, Member for Cook David Kempton, Member for Dalrymple Michael Trout and representatives from James Cook University, in addition to Steve Moneghetti.
Sam Cullen said the Reef was huge natural asset for Far North Queensland and deserved protection.
“It’s one of the wonders of the natural world, which we’re lucky enough to have in our backyard, and it generates more than six billion dollars a year through our tourism and fishing industries,” he said.
“We want to give something back, contribute to a better understanding of the Reef and help ensure it has a healthy future.”
Mr Moneghetti also said the Run for the Reef was ‘about more than just going for a run’.
“On our watch, the Reef could go from good condition to poor - that’s not going to happen,” he said.
“This is about more than just going for a run, this is about making sure we’re looking after our amazing Reef.”
Mr Moneghetti led the runners for a short jog at the southern end of the Esplanade to kick off the Run for the Reef.
The Run for the Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival, which starts in Port Douglas on November 9.
