Wonthaggi supports inaugural Run for Very Special Kids
Hundreds of runners and their families turned out at Apex Park in Wonthaggi for the inaugural Voyage Fitness Run for Very Special Kids.
RUNNERS and their families turned out in their hundreds at Apex Park in Wonthaggi for the inaugural Voyage Fitness Run for Very Special Kids, a charity event dedicated to raising vital funds and awareness for children with life-limiting illnesses.
Organiser Paige Holness expressed her excitement over the first-time event, highlighting its profound impact on vulnerable Victorian children and their loved ones. "It’s the first year for the Voyage Fitness Run for Very Special Kids," Holness stated.
"We hope to raise $15,000 for the Very Special Kids Foundation."
Catering to all fitness levels, the event offered several distances, a 1 km Kids Dash, 2 km Family Walk, 5 km Run, 10 km Run, and a flagship 21.1 km Half Marathon.
The course began on the pathway between Big W and Woolworths at Apex Park, guiding participants out along the beautiful Bass Coast Rail Trail towards Dalyston before turning back to the finishing line at Apex Park.
The competition was fierce but spirited with Kyle Standfield claiming victory in the 21 km male category with an impressive time of 1:21:40. Meanwhile, Nagiska Mayes secured top spot in the 21 km female category, crossing the finish line in 1:51:09.
Families browsing Apex Park enjoyed food trucks, local coffee carts, face painting, and bubble displays with local businesses sponsoring the event by donating raffle items.
A total of 450 registrations were received across all categories. The 2km family run emerged as the day's most popular category drawing together a large number of families eager to make a difference.
Every step taken helped raise vital awareness and support for Very Special Kids, an organisation providing holistic palliative care for Victorian children and young people with life-limiting conditions. The charity offers free physical, mental, and emotional support to families navigating life, death, and bereavement.
Kyle Standfield took top male placing in the gruelling 21km half-marathon in a time of 1:21:40, with Sean Dack finishing second (1:28:16) and Tosh Utakea also from Voyage Fitness Wonthaggi securing third.
Nagiska Mayes was first female across the line in the half-marathon with a time of 1:51:09, followed by Ally Kershaw (2.:02:36) and Hayley Blundell representing Voyage Fitness Wonthaggi.
First female over 10 km was Aliesha Wrigley (51:42) and first male was Luke Nicholson (33:08). First female over 5km was Megan Ryan (21:08) and first male Ben Miiller (18:26).
Full results can be found at my.raceresult.com/396941/#0_8CFC53
