Memorial run raises funds for cancer centre

TIMON Dooley and Madi Cliff claimed the gold in the 2025 John Burke Memorial Classic, but the real winner was the Peter MacCallum Centre.

The third instalment of the Bendigo Athletic Club (BAC) feature race last month raised more than $1455 for the Melbourne-based cancer research, education and treatment centre.

Always well-supported, especially by the Burke and McEvoy families, the race honours the memory of the Bendigo athletics legend, who lost his own battle with cancer in June 2022.

Burke, a Medal of the Order of Australia honouree, was one of the founders of the BAC, the club’s first life member, and a coach and mentor to many in the athletics world.

Three editions of the race have raised nearly $5000 for the Peter Mac.

BAC president Justine Babitsch, herself a beneficiary of the centre’s work having been diagnosed with skin cancer three times since age 25, is thrilled to see support for the event growing.

“We had more runners than last year, which was great to see, she said.

“And it was good to see some new runners at our events.

“It’s not only a special race for the club, but special also for John Burke’s family, a lot of whom were involved and were sponsors of the race.

“Cancer touches everyone, so it’s important event for the club and community as well.

“It (cancer) affects so many people. For people like me who have benefitted from Peter Mac, it’s great to be able to give back.”

Dooley took the honours as the men’s and overall winner.

A BAC club champion in the early 2010s, Dooley mastered the 6.5-kilometre course at Woodvale in a time of 21.44.

Jamie Cook was second in 21.55 ahead of inaugural race winner Michael Preece in 22.24.

Joel Ashworth (23.50) and Glenn McMillan (24.00) rounded out the top five.

In the women’s event, Cliff made it back-to-back victories in 27.36.

Lainey Ratcliffe (28.06) and Colbinabbin netball identity Olivia McEvoy (28.16) completed the top three placings.

Kye McCarthy, Dylan Marron, Angus McEvoy, Leo Thacker and Pippa Coleman filled the top five placings in the keenly contested 1000-metre kids’ race.

This year’s race was the second at Woodvale, with the inaugural John Burke Classic run at Crusoe Reservoir No. 7 Park in 2023.

Babitsch expressed the club’s thanks to all who contributed to making the John Burke Memorial Classic a great event, including committee members, sponsors, volunteers, athletes and spectators.

Attention for the BAC will now turn to the Barry Stevenson Memorial Relays on August 10.

The handicapped event will see teams of two battle for victory over two laps on the 1.5-kilometre lap course.

The race honours a former club member and committee member, who was active in the 1970s and 1980.