Pre Race Day
Sports stars unite to help sick kids
WED 25 FEB 2009
SOME of Australia's top sports stars have joined forces to support sick children.
Carlton premiership players Greg Williams and Mil Hanna, Olympic gymnasts Monette Russo and Stephanie Moorhouse and basketballers Matt O'Hea, Sharin Milner, Zoe Carr and Katrina Hibbert have signed on for this year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
The stars of sport, with police and firefighting heroes, will form the backbone of Team $100K, which aims to raise $100,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Printer Jon McCluskey organised Team $100K in a bid to have everyday runners rub shoulders with Olympians and other sporting greats in this year's event.
"Last year I did the race as an individual and thought if one person can raise about $7000 with the help of their mates, then what could a team raise?" he said.
"The aim was to get a few big names on board, which we've done, to help raise the profile of the team and then get more people to sign up to the run."
"We've got about 100 runners in the team now and it's great to see everyday runners on the same team as these big-name sports people."
Runners who have entered the Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids can become part of Team $100K by visiting its website at www.team100k.org.
To enter the charity fun run all runners need to register at www.runforthekids.com.au.
The Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids on Sunday, April 5 features 14.1km and 5.7km courses.
Entries for this year's event close on March 20.
Run has star quality, thanks to Lisa Jane
WED 11 FEB 2009
OLYMPIC marathon runner Lisa Jane Weightman wants to give a gold medal performance for charity in the Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Weightman is back in training after finishing 33rd in the Beijing Olympic marathon.
The Melbourne long-distance runner will compete in her third Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Weightman, who won the event in 2006, said the charity race was a fun way to donate to a worthy cause.
"It's a great way to give to the Royal Children's Hospital and do something I love doing at the same time," she said. "It's fun to run around Melbourne and to run with other people who love running."
"The distance is perfectly suited to my build-up to selection for the World Marathon Championships in Berlin in August."
The 2009 Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids takes place on Sunday, April 5, and is expected to attract about 30,000 people, with the majority of entry fees going to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The fun run features a 14.1km course for more serious runners and a scenic 5.7km course for casual runners or walkers.
To register for this year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids, visit www.runforthe
kids.com.au.
Official training sessions will begin next week for those wanting to get into shape and meet other entrants.
Visit the Run for the Kids website for more information on training programs.
Entries for this year's event close on March 20.
Sarah says thanks with a fun run
WED 21 JAN 2009
SARAH Rogers is a picture of health.
Sarah was born with a diaphragmatic hernia that caused her liver and other vital organs to push up into her chest and cramp her lungs. She spent the first month of her life in the Royal Children's Hospital's intensive care unit.
Her fragile three-day-old body had surgery to repair the hernia.
And thanks to the doctors and nurses at the RCH, Sarah, 6, is not only alive and well, but is hoping to walk in this year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Sarah's parents, Kerrie and Bryan, have also registered to join this year's Run for the Kids.
The Swan Hill parents still visit Melbourne with Sarah for yearly check-ups.
Ms Rogers said taking part in Australia's biggest fun run was the least the family could do for the hospital that saved Sarah's life.
"Bryan and I have run in the last three Runs for the Kids because we wanted to do something and help donate to the hospital," she said
"When we were at the hospital, the staff looked after us so well with accommodation. No one wants to go to hospital, but if
your child has to go to hospital then the Royal Children's Hospital is a wonderful place to be."
The Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids has raised more than $1.7 million for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal since it began in 2006.
This year's event, on Sunday April 5, is expected to attract about 30,000 people.
To register for the 2009 Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids, log on to www.runforthekids.com.au.
Entries close March 20.
Dust off those trainers
MON 12 JAN 2009
RHONDA Cooling has dusted off the running shoes and joined the hundreds of people already registered for this year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Ms Cooling, from Langwarrin, and her friend Andria Macaffer have entered the race since 2006.
The pair registered in honour of Ms Cooling's daughter Ashley, who's been a regular patient at the Royal Children's Hospital since 2005.
"We always try and train and get fit for the run but every year one of us gets injured about six weeks out," Ms Cooling said.
"We have trouble doing the run, but we always get to the finish line. It's a slog and last year I was exhausted, but it's absolutely fantastic and for a great cause."
Last year Ms Cooling raised about $400 for the Royal Children's Hospital.
This year she plans to run the longer 14.1km course in two hours and 15 minutes.
"Our best time is two hours and 23 minutes, so we want to get under that," she said.
"I'll be trying to follow the Steve Moneghetti training program this year."
Other Run for the Kids entrants can follow Moneghetti's program on Page 27 of today's Herald Sun.
This year's event, on Sunday, April 5, is expected to attract about 30,000 people; the majority of entry fees go to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The event raised $738,000 for the hospital last year.
To join this year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids, log on to www.runforthekids.com.au
Entries close on March 20.
Glenn's quick - and that's just his entry
FRI 12 DEC 2008
ROWVILLE resident Glenn Brown has leapt out of the blocks and become the first person to register for next year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Mr Brown was among more than 100 people who registered within the first hour of the entries opening.
The design engineer, who had entered the past three Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids, said he looked forward to the challenge of running in Australia's biggest fun run.
"It's a very social event," Mr Brown said. "You are running down roads you don't usually get to run down.
"It's a challenge for me personally but I enjoy the social aspect of running with all the other people."
"It's a good fundraising event for a good cause."
The charity fun is expected to attract about 30,000 people next year.
More than 27,000 people took part in this year's event, raising $738,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The 2009 Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids on Sunday, April 5, features two courses that start and finish at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The main course covers 14.1km and passes through the Domain Tunnel. The shorter course is 5.7km and runs along the Yarra.
The Herald and Weekly Times will again donate the majority of all entry fees to the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Early birds who register before December 17 go into the draw to win one of 100 IGA supermarket vouchers.
All entries are eligible to win a new Mazda.
To enter, log on to www.runforthekids. com.au.
Entries close on March 20.
Melissa's looking four another win
SUN 07 DEC 2008
MELISSA Duncan is hoping to maintain her perfect record in next year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run For the Kids.
Since the event began three years ago, the 18-year-old has won every short course race in the fun run, which raises money for the Royal Children's Hospital.
And now Melissa -- who also ran for Australia at the World Youth Championships in 2007 -- has enrolled her father, Peter, 48, and sister, Katie, 20, in next year's race on April 5.
The event has two courses, which begin and end at the Botanic Gardens.
The short course is 5.7km, and runs along the Yarra and around the Tan, while the long course is 14.1km and goes through the Domain Tunnel.
Melissa and Katie are tackling the short course, while their father will be attempting the long one.
"Hopefully I can make it four in a row," Melissa said.
The 27,498 people who took part in this year's race raised $738,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
To enter next year's race look out for entry forms as they appear in the Herald Sun -- but the quickest way to register is by going to www.runforthekids.com.au.
Online entry closes on March 20, paper entry on March 6 -- or as soon as the limit of 30,000 runners is reached.
Entrants will go into the running to win a new Mazda, and those who enter before December 17 will go into the draw for one of a hundred $100 IGA shopping vouchers.
We're off and running
FRI 05 DEC 2008
THE Hopkins family are leading the charge to register for next year's Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids.
Danny and Natasha and their children, Layla, Milla and Hunter, were among 27,498 people who took part in this year's charity fun run.
The event raised $738,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The Hopkins clan plan to lace up their running shoes again next year.
The 2009 Run for the Kids is on Sunday, April 5, and is expected to attract about 30,000 people, making it Victoria's biggest fun run.
The Herald and Weekly Times will again donate the majority of all entry fees to the hospital's Good Friday Appeal, to help youngsters such as Layla Hopkins.
Layla, born four months premature, has been a regular patient at the Royal Children's Hospital since 2006.
Mr Hopkins, who led Team Layla's successful bid to raise $25,000 last year, said witnessing the amazing work of staff at the hospital helped spur on the team.
"The thing that really motivated people last year to join Team Layla was the fact you can do something for yourself that, at the same time, benefits others," he said.
The 2009 Run for the Kids features two courses, which both start and finish at the Botanic Gardens. The long course covers 14.1km through the Domain Tunnel and across the Bolte Bridge.
The shorter, scenic course covers 5.7km along the Yarra and around the Tan.
Herald and Weekly Times managing director Peter Blunden said the event had grown in stature since its inception in 2006, and he called on Herald Sun readers to take part.
Mr Blunden also thanked the CityLink operator, Transurban, for opening its roads for the day.
Transurban chief executive Chris Lynch said the company was proud to be involved and to offer Victorians the unique experience of running through the Domain Tunnel and across the Bolte Bridge.
To join next year's Run for the Kids, fill out the entry form on page 52 of today's Herald Sun or log on to www.runforthekids.com.au
All entries go into the draw to win a Mazda3 maxx Sport.
Those who register before December 17 go into the draw to win one of 100 IGA shopping vouchers.
Entries close on March 20.
Run for the kids
FRI 05 DEC 2008
THE Herald Sun/CityLink Run for the Kids helps not only the children at the Royal Children's Hospital. It's good for the health of everyone who takes part.
Last year, 27,498 runners raised $738,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Team Layla, named after Layla Hopkins (pictured) who was born four months prematurely and has been a regular patient at the RCH, raised $25,000. Her parents and their friends wanted to do something positive to repay the hospital for their daughter's care.
Entries for the 2009 run on April 5 are likely to reach 30,000. You can register by using the form on page 52 today. Forms will appear regularly in the Herald Sun.
The long course covers 14.1km through the Domain Tunnel and over the Bolte Bridge, while the scenic course is 5.7km around the Yarra and the Tan.
You can also register online at www.runforthekids.com.au and play your part to help a magnificent hospital and the kids it takes care of.
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