Running The Grange for The Grange
6 November 2011
The recent Hamilton Vitality Fun Run was a massive success with over 350 entrants taking part across the three different events.
Spectators enjoyed a fine morning watching the runners, being entertained with music, Body Balance exercise, Captain Koala from the CFA and children’s games run by staff members from Vitality Health and Fitness.
Records were broken in both the Men’s and Women’s lake’s edge half marathon with Pat Kenny (men’s)from Bendigo finishing in 1:24:04 and Yolanda Russell (women’s)from Geelong coming home first in a time of 1:42:54. Paul Frichot from Melbourne won the Men’s 10km run and local competitor, Rebecca Fisher came home first in the Women’s 10km event. Josh Kearney and Will Barber ducked over the line together to win the Men’s 4.2km run and Madelaine Struck won the Women’s 4.2km race. Tom Hiscock and Emily Baudinette, just 13 years old, won the Boy’s and Girl’s under 16 4.2km races respectively.
Officiating at the event, Minister for Sport and Recreation, The Hon Hugh Delahunty showed his support by arriving on foot with his wife Judy. Mr Delahunty was thrilled at the turn out by both the local teams, individuals and families and the strong contingents from Melbourne, Geelong, Warrnambool and interstate. “Anything that gets people outdoors and off the sofa has to be a positive step for our health and wellbeing.” Mr Delahunty said.
The Fun Run was initiated by Vitality Health and Fitness as a community event and fund raiser for Western District Health Service’s Grange Redevelopment Project and took on the catch phrase of “Run The Grange for The Grange”, because the course takes the entrants around Lake Hamilton and along the banks of The Grange.
Each year, the Fun Run has grown with businesses and other organisations becoming more and more involved. Kerr and Co Town and Country Real Estate won the team challenge, with Hamilton and Alexandra College coming in a close second. Frichot Fitness from Melbourne fielded a strong team as did Iluka and the Grange’s own team of fine athletes, The Grange Groovers, who managed to push two members around the course in wheel chairs.
This year’s half marathon, sponsored by Lakes Edge, had 45 runners participating in the 21km race. 116 entrants lined up at the start of the 10km event with the balance of entrants jostling for position at the start of the 4.2km run or walk.
The event raised just under $11,000 for the Grange redevelopment.
WDHS Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jim Fletcher said “We are always astounded by the amount of support the health service receives from our community. We greatly value the generosity of our community and organisations such as Vitality Health and Fitness. The Fun Run has been a great opportunity to enjoy a fun activity and family day out, aimed at improving personal health and well being whilst at the same time making a contribution to the care of our elderly community for whom the Grange is home. ”
Caption: Winners of the Team Challenge Event from Kerr & Co Town and Country Real Estate. .