Run to unite small towns

FOR the first time, Active Farmers are holding a Run for Resilience event outside of New South Wales with a morning of long distance events coming to Bridgewater on Sunday from 8am.

Personal trainer and event coordinator Claire Harrison said the occasion will honour Active Farmers member involved with both the Inglewood and Bridgewater communities, Lesley ‘Fitty’ Morrison, who lost her life last year.

“Her family and kids who have been a big part in the day will all be there, her funeral was quite restricted in COVID,” Ms Harrison said.

“She was a part of Inglewood and Bridgewater, so the two towns have come together to make this event happen. Lots of people are helping to make it a really good celebration of her life.”

Active Farmers is a not-for-profit organisation that runs group fitness classes and workshops for members of small farming communities.

Money raised from the event will go towards classes, new equipment and hiring health specialists.

The Run for Resilience includes a 21-kilometre run from Inglewood through to Bridgewater, and a 10-kilometre and five-kilometre run along the Loddon River. The five-kilometre has been named the Fitty’s Five in honour of Ms Morrison.

Ms Harrison said it’s rare to see the two towns put their rivalry aside and come together.

“It’s like Essendon and Collingwood really,” she said. “It’s not something that happens every day so I’m really excited.”

On the day, there will be coffee and food vans, free kids’ activities, and live music from Tom Harrington.

A dermatologist from Sydney will also be at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve providing free skin checks, a service that Ms Harrison said is hard to come by in their town.

To register, head to activefarmers.com.au/runforresiliencebridgewater.