The Gold Coast has welcomed a new charity running event, raising funds to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
run4reef is a world-first simultaneous event, with the unique races running together at the same time with 20 other cities across Australia and New Zealand.
Locals of all abilities can race in either 1km for the kids, 5km or 10km fun runs for the adults, or a special elite 10km race when the event hits our shores in October.
World Champion runner and run4reef Director and Ambassador Steve Monoghetti says the event is the perfect chance for locals to make a difference.
“It’s an opportunity for Gold Coast to be a part of something bigger,” Mr Monoghetti says.
“Whilst you’re doing it in your location, I think you’re also feeling that the momentum is growing around Australia and you’re a part of something bigger,
“So what I love about it, it’s an opportunity for Gold Coast people to show that they care to make a difference, as well as obviously racing themselves and running hard and enjoying an event.”
The inaugural run4reef event will span across Australia and New Zealand leveraging world-leading timing technology to unite thousands of runners.
Event organisers are hoping to have 6,000 people on board at each city, that’s over 120,000 people taking part across all 21 cities.
Other cities hosting the event include Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, Cairns and Melbourne as well as Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand.
Image: myGC | Steve Monoghetti and Gary Carroll
Gold Coast event director Gary Carroll says they’re really excited to be able to bring the event to the glitter strip.
“It’s been a long time in the planning. We want to be able to raise awareness for the reef, but we also want to be able to run an event on a scale that hasn’t been run before,” Mr Carroll says.
“To run 21 cities all at the same time, all consecutively, all competing against each other, seeing other people from across the ditch on a big screen while you’re racing against them, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
This year’s run4reef registrations will raise much-needed funds to protect the Reef and climate conservation initiatives with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
The event will take place on Sunday 16 October 2022 along Marine Parade at Southport, adjacent to the Broadwater Parklands.
