KEEN long-distance runners welcomed the start of May with a series of events against the scenic backdrop of Heathcote.<\/p>\n
The O\u2019Keefe Challenge was held last Sunday, with the usual marathon and half-marathon, as well as new courses for the 10-kilometre and five-kilometre races, and two Ekiden relays.<\/p>\n
Kids also had their chance to join in the fun, with one-kilometre and 500-metre junior races.<\/p>\n
Jamie Cook crossed the line first in the men\u2019s marathon with a time of 2.32.38, while Erchana Murray-Bartlett was first in the women\u2019s with a time of 3.15.35.<\/p>\n
Event director Nigel Preston said he was thrilled with how the day turned out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had lots of happy runners, glad the weather held up,\u201d he said. \u201cLots of people came out and just did their best.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really good to be on the rail trail it\u2019s such a gem to have the rail trail here in Bendigo, people just love running on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unique Light The Trail social bike ride had to be postponed from last Friday night due to weather, however it has been rescheduled for Friday, 13 May.<\/p>\n
All profits of the day, as well as all registrations for the five-kilometre event, go towards the Heathcote Dementia Alliance, who help raise awareness of the disease in the community and are helping create a ground-breaking dementia village.<\/p>\n
President of HDA Sandra Slatter said last year\u2019s event raised $6500, with the money spent on establishing a reflective trail to connect the village to the main town.<\/p>\n
As part of the O\u2019Keefe Challenge, the first 150 of 3000 trees were planted at the village site.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a fantastic community event, a lot of work goes into it, but everyone just comes together,\u201d Ms Slatter said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had great support, not just from people from Heathcote, but everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KEEN long-distance runners welcomed the start of May with a series of events against the scenic backdrop of Heathcote. The O\u2019Keefe Challenge was held last Sunday, with the usual marathon and half-marathon, as well as new courses for the 10-kilometre and five-kilometre races, and two Ekiden relays. Kids also had their chance to join in […]<\/p>\n