Trailblazing run puts city pride on the line
CITYRUN
RUNNERS in Cairns will be able to pit themselves against Townsville and Mackay this September in a trailblazing new event.
The ’rainforest city’ is being urged to take to the tarmac to prove they’re a cut above their North Queensland rivals in the inaugural Solar Care CITYRUN for the Reef challenges, which will run simultaneously in Cairns, Mackay and Townsville.
The CITYRUN events over 2.5km, 5km and 10km will be contested on September 15 around a 2.5km looped course in prime locations in each city. Participants across the three cities will start at exactly the same time, on comparative courses, with all race times synchronised and immediately recorded via the CITYRUN online leaderboard and displayed on large digital screens at each event.
Australian long-distance legend Steve Moneghetti, who will take part in the Cairns run as the city’s official ambassador, said the concept was less about running fast and more about running together for the Great Barrier Reef.
The Olympic champion is a regular ambassador for Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon and admits Tropical North Queensland was a ‘special place’ for him.
“It is a great cause and I am really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I have spent time in Cairns but have never completed a run there. It will be nice to have a different group of people to share time with.”
“I believe Cairns residents, whether they are regular athletes or not, will sign up – even to walk the 2.5km short course – to make sure our city shows Townsville and Mackay that in Cairns we really are the good sports.”
The challenge is being held to promote community participation and healthy lifestyles and to raise money for the James Cook University (JCU) Run for the Reef Research Fund. The city with the most participants across all of the events will win the CITYRUN City Challenge with prizes, including a holiday in Port Douglas, going to race winners and those who raise the most funds.
CITYRUN Director Sam Cullen said the challenge was based on the success of the RUN for the REEF initiative and the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival in Port Douglas established in 2011.
He said 20% of all CITYRUN registration fees and all Everyday Hero fundraising will be directed to the James Cook University RUN for the REEF Research Fund with the objective to raise $75,000 across the three cities.
“This money raised will be used by JCU scientists to conduct the Mega Mouth project over the next three years, which will research the unique relationship between Whale Sharks, Mantra Ray and the health of the Great Barrier Reef, our national treasure,’ Cullen said.
“Currently there are unprecedented gatherings of juvenile Whale Sharks, up to 80 at a time, now visiting the Great Barrier Reef each year, and we know very little as to why.”
Registration fees are $12 for the 2.5km course, $34 for 5km and $54 for 10km. There are free official CITYRUN t-shirts for early bird registrations.
For more information visit www.cityrun.com.au
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