Run4Reef Geelong cancelled!

THE inaugural Run4Reef race in Geelong has been postponed due to severe weather and a lack of first aid resources as the state battles extreme flooding.

On Friday afternoon, event organisers officially announced the cancellation of all Victorian Run4Reef races as first aid and emergency service responders rush to assist people affected by the rising floodwaters.

“Because of the flood emergencies, first aid responders could be called anywhere, that way local events can’t guarantee first aid staff,” event organiser Ken Walker said.

“We need special accreditation to run the event from a first aid point of view, and because very few people have all the correct certifications and most are helping with the weather emergency, we can’t guarantee having enough first aid staff.

“Safety is the greatest concern, and we need to look after our people, especially in times like this.”

The race was slated to be the world’s first simultaneous running event, with Geelong runners moving at the same time as those in 22 other host cities with a single mission: to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The inaugural run4reef was set to leverage world-leading timing technology to unite thousands of runners of all abilities across four runs – a 1km, 5km, 10km and a special elite 10km course.

A rescheduled date for this year is still being decided upon.

Tasmanian branches of the Run4Reef are also on standby and may face cancellations.

For more information, head to run4reef.org/geelong