A NEW charity run for the not-so-runner type is taking off like Hop-cakes.
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The inaugural Hopathon – a 600-metre run and afternoon of fun – aims to help the smallest Ballaratians in their first days of life.
Hopping is an option but the event is more a dash about the Hop Temple block next week with money raised going towards Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital’s special care nursery.
Competitors get a t-shirt, headband, medal to show family and friends and pint upon return. A post-race party of carb loading, brews with live music and festivities to follow in Hop Lane.
Hop Temple owner Brian Taylor said it was a fun, potentially gruelling, way to get moving and help others.
Mr Taylor said Hopathon also aimed to help liven up the city centre on what was traditionally a quiet Ballarat Show long weekend.
“We’re really excited about this event, we think it’s going to be a whole lot fun and we hope to raise some much needed funds for a service that has touched many of us over the years,” Mr Taylor said.
BHS’ special care nursery will also be Hop Temple’s musical bingo charity focus for November. Musical bingo nights at Hop Temple have raised more than $60,000 for charities combined.
Hopathon comes a week before the inaugural Run for a Cause, for those who want to stretch their legs further in a five-kilometre walk or run.
Run for a Cause fills the community run void left by Run Ballarat, which finished last year after reaching a $1 million fundraising target for the new BHS children’s ward.
The Ballarat Foundation has launched Run for a Cause which this year will focus on improving food security across the region.
Hopathon’s focus on the special care nursery will help care for babies who are too unwell, premature or small to be managed in the hospital’s postnatal ward.
Final release Hopathon entries are available online at hoptemple.com.au/event/hopathon or in-venue at Hop Temple.
Tickets are $40 with $10 from each entry donated to the special care nursery.
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