Congratulations to organisers of the 2009 Mother’s Day Classic!
I was one of thousands of men, women and children who took part in the 2009 Mother’s Day Classic in Melbourne yesterday. Blue skies and high spirits enthused the thronging mass of young and old as we pounded the footpaths and streets surrounding the Botanical Gardens. I wasn’t sure if I was up to an 8km walk but spurred on by my friend Jo, we chatted and chatted some more as our feet ate up the tarmac and in no time, we crossed the finish line in a fairly respectable 1hr 33 minutes.
I imagine the organisation involved in such an event is enormous. The sheer volume of people descending on Melbourne in one day, and then moving in and around the Botanical Gardens before, during and after the event, surprised me. But everything appeared to go by without a hitch, testament to good planning by the organisers and the good nature of everyone who took part in the walk and/or run.
The Mother’s Day Classic has become Australia’s largest charity fun run/walk. It began in 1998 with just 1800 walkers and has grown to a truly national event with 67,000 Australians last year putting on their running shoes for research and raising $1.2 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a great result. Congratulations to everyone, including the many volunteers who generously give their time and support to ensure each year is a success. Jo and I will be back next year and have upped the stakes to a 4km run – training starts next week!
For more information, visit www.mothersdayclassic.org. To make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, visit www.ncbf.org.au.