Walk/Run/Marathon Events

In the constant battle faced by not-for-profit organisations to raise funds it seems more and more are turning to sporting events as the answer.

Over the past decade, and increasingly in recent years, multiple marathon style events have popped up across the state, and most in the name of supporting health related charities.

This trend among organisations has been matched by a growing number of individuals seeking out harsh and remote locations to undertake activities of their own in order to fundraise for health based charities of personal significance.

Below is a selection of some of the charitable walking and running events available throughout Perth, as well as a few international events that have attracted participation from Western Australians.

There is an event out there to suit everyone, from short walks through the CBD, to footraces under the scorching sun of the Sahara desert.

Swisse Colour Run | Langley Park | Raised: $50,000 (approx)

Charity: Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund | Participants: 10,000

“The happiest 5km on the planet,” is the catchphrase for the international Colour Run race. People of all ages and fitness levels are invited to tackle the course at whatever pace they choose, and are showered with coloured powder as they complete each kilometre. The event was first held internationally in 2012 and came to Perth for the first time in February this year; currently held in the US, Brazil, Portugal, Chile, Germany and other cities in Australia.

HBF Run For A Reason | WACA | Raised: $780,000+

Charity: Cancer Council, Lifeline, Diabetes WA, Heart Foundation + Participants charity of choice | Participants: 20,000+

The HBF Run For A Reason is an event for all fitness types, offering the opportunity to stroll, walk or run one of the two distance options. The route has been changed this year, with both courses beginning at Hay Street Mall and finishing at Gloucester Park. The 2013 event will be taking place on May 26.

Chevron City to Surf for Activ | Esplanade to City Beach | Raised: $700,000+

Charity: Activ Foundation | Participants: 45,000+ registered participants

In 2012, the Chevron City to Surf for Activ was named the second largest officially timed race in the Southern Hemisphere. The event has evolved over nearly four decades to include the 42km marathon course (introduced in 2009), while the 12km and 4km courses offer both running and walking options. The latter also offers a wheelchair race. This year’s event will take place on August 25.

Cape2Cape | Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste | Raised: $80,000+

Charity: Peter Hughes Burn Foundation | Participants: 6

The second inaugural Cape2Cape race took place over the Easter weekend, raising more than double the amount of funds of the previous year. The participants included Peter Hughes Burn Foundation CEO Grazi Lisciotto, Mr Hughes himself and board member Matthew Hughes. Mr Lisciotto is a burns survivor, while Mr Hughes was among those severely burned in the Bali Bombings.

Marathon Des Sables | Sahara Desert | Aiming to raise: $500,000

Charity: Hannah’s House | Participants: 4 (from WA)

The Marathon Des Sables race attracts elite and amateur runners from all over the world, and this year four friends from WA are taking part. Greg Hunt, Geoff Reynolds, Brent Shaw and Darren Shapland will participate in what the Discovery Channel ranks as the toughest footrace on Earth. These, “four men on a mission,” as they call themselves, will raise money for Hannah’s House, which provides accommodation and support for the families of children with life-limiting conditions. The 250km marathon started on April 6.

Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Walk | Kalgoorlie to Perth | Raised: $75,000

Charity: Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia | Participants: Core group: 30

A core group of 30 walked from Kalgoorlie to Perth in the first Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Walk in 2012. School children and community members joined them for short distances along the way, which led to numbers swelling to as many as 200 at times. This year a core group of 60 will walk 400km over five days from Dunsborough to Perth, starting May 12.

North Pole Last Degree Ski Expedition | North Pole | Aiming to raise $20,000 ($14,500 raised so far)

Charity: Proceeds to HeartKids WA, Publicity for Donate Life | Participants: 5, plus 2 guides

US-based Polar Explorers offers guided expeditions through rugged, Arctic terrain. The expeditions are more recreational than charity based, but Guy Holmes is using this as a platform to raise funds for HeartKids WA as well as awareness for Donate Life.

Relay for Life | Albany, Bunbury, Curtin University, Joondalup, Midwest, Peel-Mandurah, Perth, Pilbara, Kwinana-Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, UWA |

Raised: $2.7 million (combined total of all events in 2012)

Charity: Cancer Council | Participants: 6,900+ (combined total of all events in 2012)

The Cancer Council Relay for Life involves teams of 10-15 people performing continuous laps at a given location over 24 hours. The first Relay for Life took place in the US in 1985. The first Australian event was held in 1999, and this year the event will go to two new locations in WA – Kwinana-Rockingham and Serpentine-Jarrahdale. The relays are staggered throughout the year, but several will be
taking place this month, including the two new events, the Perth and the Curtin University events.