Run returns with health message for men

GET stretching and those legs warmed up as the Run for Dad is back on track at the Bendigo Jockey Club this Father’s Day.

The event is a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and organised by Goldfields Rotary and Athletics Bendigo.

As well as raising money the run also seeks to promote the importance of regular health check-ups to help men prevent prostate cancer and detect it as early as possible.

Athletics Bendigo spokesperson Keith Macdonald said prevention and early detection is the key message he wants people to take away from the day.

“Get a regular health check,” he said. “We know that prostate cancer isn’t a death sentence if detected early.

“If you live in the Loddon region, we know that you have an eight per cent higher chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than any other region in Australia.

“That’s the message men need to hear.”

Mr Macdonald said the Run for Dad has a superhero theme and encourages participants to dress up as their favourite characters.

Following the three and eight kilometres runs, there will be a free breakfast put on by local Rotary clubs.

“Run for Dad was about getting men out spending time with family, friends, and loved ones on a special day,” Mr Macdonald said.

Nine Australian men die each day from prostate cancer but if detected early, patients have a 96 per cent chance of recovering from it.

The Run for Dad is on Sunday 3 September and visit runfordad.com.au for more information and to register.