Thousands took part in Run Ballarat to raise money for the children ward at Ballarat Base Hospital.
THE inaugural Run Ballarat raised $165,000 for the Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital’s children’s ward redevelopment yesterday.
In just its first year, 4250 people took to the streets to run or walk 11 or six kilometres, featured here in this gallery.
Run Ballarat ambassador Steve Moneghetti said he was “over the moon” with the numbers.
“I am just stunned it has been so well supported,” Mr Moneghetti said after running in the 11-kilometre event. “I guess we do call ourselves the running capital of the world but this is a watershed day.”
Fellow ambassador Brad Bogert, who was born without a tailbone and has spent a lot of time in the BHS children’s ward, also said it was a magnificent day.
“The turnout is fantastic. It’s far more than I expected,” Brad said.
Brad competed in the six kilometre run with four family members and friends and said it was a lot of fun and helped a cause close to his heart. “I think of the doctors and nurses at the hospital like family.”
Run Ballarat was jointly organised by the Cotton On Foundation, which has also run four Run Geelong events, and the Adroit Insurance Group.
Cotton On Foundation national projects co-ordinator Hannah Rasche said the inaugural Ballarat event was far more successful than the first Geelong run.
“The community has really got behind this event,” Ms Rasche said. “You should be incredibly proud. In its first year, Run Geelong only got 2500 people.”
Ms Rasche said the Geelong numbers were now at 11,200 and she expected Ballarat’s run to grow just as quickly.
Adroit Insurance Group managing director Andrew Locke said they wanted to make a significant contribution to a valid and needy cause.
“Our brief was really to engage corporate Ballarat and they embraced the concept,” Mr Locke said. “Their willingness to get involved was incredible. We couldn’t have asked for more.”