Volume 3 | Nº9 helensburghdistrictherald.com.au | editor@helensburghdistrictherald.com.au
OCTOBER 2013
Get set for Burgh2Beach By Genevieve Swart Runners are raring to go, with entries pouring in for the second Burgh2Beach fun run. The 9km charity fundraiser from Helensburgh’s Centennial Hotel to Stanwell Park Surf Club will be held on Sunday, October 27. Last year about 300 people entered, raising more than $10,000 for Motor Neurone Disease NSW. This year’s goal is to double those figures. That target was looking good at press time – organisers said they had fielded 180 entries, whereas this time last year they’d just received their first entry. The race is a scenic tour of the area’s highlights, pounding down Helensburgh’s main street, through the rainforest community of Otford, up to Bald Hill for a coastal panorama, then twisting down Lawrence Hargrave Drive to finish at Stanwell Park beach. Work being carried out on Otford railway bridge means this year’s route will be slightly different – the course will include a run via Otford train station and a short bush trail, adding a kilometre to the usual 8km event. 2013’s race is also open to walkers, who must complete the distance in under two hours. Also new is the Michelle Moore Memorial Trophy for the person who raises the most money. Major sponsors include GU Energy and Illawarra Credit Union.
Nathan and friends head to the finish line (2012) image courtesy of Addison West
Families are welcome to enter (last year, the youngest runner was about 12), but for safety reasons no babes in prams will be allowed. Registration is $35 up to midnight on October 24; on the day, it will cost $50. Organisers will reimburse your entry fee if you raise $150 or more. Motor neurone disease is a debilitating illness in which the nerve cells controlling the muscles degenerate and die. There is no cure. The fun run is the brainchild of Helensburgh athlete, visually impaired runner Nathan Johnston. Nathan’s recent achievements include running the City2Surf guided by Tony Abbott and running 460km from Narromine to Sydney to raise money for the McGrath Foundation. For more info on the Burgh2Beach, go to www.burgh2beach.com.au.
OCTOBER 2013 Helensburgh & District Herald 1