This October, Australia and New Zealand will welcome the world’s first simultaneous running event, bringing more than 100,000 runners together with a single mission of running as one in the name of helping protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Geelong is among the 22 cities across Australia and New Zealand taking part in the world’s first simultaneous running event, run4reef.
The inaugural run4reef international event will span 22 cities across the two countries, leveraging world-leading timing technology to unite thousands of runners of all abilities across 1km, 5km and 10km fun runs, and a special elite 10km run, all in the name of climate action in Australia.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Taking place on Sunday 16th October 2022, run4reef will run simultaneously across Adelaide, Ballarat, Bendigo, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Central Coast, Darwin, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Moreton Bay, Newcastle, Sydney, Perth, Thursday Island and Townsville across Australia, and Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand.
Locally, events will take place at Eastern Park Circuit in Geelong; at Wendouree Parade at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat; and at Rosalind Park in Bendigo.
Runners from these cities will be connected through large format digital screens located onsite at all the running events, streaming simultaneous race updates and live-cross vision from all events – helping runners from all over feel part of a global mission.
The run4reef registrations will raise much-needed funds to help protect the Reef, including developing restoration programs like the innovative ‘plant a coral’ initiative. Funds raised directly from event registrations and peer-to-peer fundraising will go to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
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The international event stems from humble beginnings which run4reef Race Director and Olympian Steve Moneghetti said played a big role in the vision today.
“Running has been the fastest growing recreation in the last 10 years, mostly because it’s so simple. The sport has always had a simple formula of a person and their pair of runners and within this simplicity, we saw the potential to add in an action, a global climate action. Adding a reason to run not only gets more people involved but it transforms a heavily individual sport into one where people are connected,” Mr. Moneghetti explained.
“We first started our run for the Reef events locally in Port Douglas back in 2013 where we hosted a marathon festival with the local community but adding this larger cause to a simple run really resonated with people.
“Since then, we’ve better understood the significant threats to the health of the Great Barrier Reef and have seen a major increase in the number of global citizens looking to make a change before it’s too late. We know now is the right time to bring people together and run as one to make a difference. The Great Barrier Reef truly is the barometer of climate change and we must act now.”
“This year, we can’t wait to see the first international run4reef event come to life. Whether people are looking for a fun casual run or an elite-level running event, we have really created something that anyone can get involved in.”
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The events are supported by both the Queensland and Australian Governments to ignite global awareness of climate action support for the country’s most treasured natural wonders. The event also promises to be plastic-free without major banners and handouts.
Australians and New Zealanders are invited to join the movement to run as one and protect the treasured Great Barrier Reef by signing up for a run4reef event nearby. Registrations are open for runners to take part in this iconic, first-of-its-kind event. For those who prefer not to run but still want to support, run4reef is inviting supporters to become Reef Fans by contributing to the cause.
To register for the event or show support by becoming a Reef Fan visit run4reef.org.
