BENDIGO is one of four Victorian cities taking part in a simultaneous running event raising funds to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, 16 October, 21 locations across Australia and New Zealand, including Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and Bendigo, will take part in the run4reef event, uniting over 100,000 runners across one, five and 10-kilometre runs who will all start at the same time.<\/p>\n
Event manager Ginevra Johnson said the initiative started with the Port Douglas marathon and grew as more towns wanted to take part.<\/p>\n
She said the event is directed by Olympian Steve Moneghetti and the local run will take place through central Bendigo. Participants will be able to time themselves against other runners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have a big screen so you can see how you\u2019re tracking, there\u2019ll be music and lots of runners of all different speeds and skill, all for a really good cause,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the event go to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and WWF Australia, providing funds for restoration programs and research.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the Great Barrier Reef, it\u2019s the broader issue of climate change,\u201d Ms Johnson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people in the region know there\u2019s an issue\u2026 sometimes these issues seem overwhelming so here we have Bendigo being able to provide a terrific opportunity to do something really proactive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bendigo High School student, Ella Flavell, 17, said she\u2019s excited to see an opportunity to aid in the fight against climate change in her region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big advocate for climate change, I really believe as a young person in this generation it\u2019s one of the most important things,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s amazing how many young kids are part of this event. It shows how much power we have to make change and how we can contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO is one of four Victorian cities taking part in a simultaneous running event raising funds to help protect the Great Barrier Reef. On Sunday, 16 October, 21 locations across Australia and New Zealand, including Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and Bendigo, will take part in the run4reef event, uniting over 100,000 runners across one, five and […]<\/p>\n