BRAVING blistering heat, more than 300 fitness fanatics and casual runners turned out in support of the Cohuna District Hospital by competing in the 30th Cohuna Bridge to Bridge.
Event director Kirsten Nicholson said it was fantastic to see so many people of all ages proud of their performances.
“You don’t just turn up and do it – it takes a fair bit of training and it doesn’t matter whether you come in the top three, just crossing the line is an achievement,” she said.
“It was great to see the smiles on their faces and going around showing off their medals.
“Our youngest participant was a three-year-old who completed the bike ride on training wheels with mum running alongside – then our oldest, a 70-year-old did the 6km as a walk – it just proves age isn’t a barrier to support the hospital.”
While all results were excellent for each participant, Nicholson highlighted a couple of the best.
“We had a 15-year-old in Rivers Webb who won the 6.5km fun run and Joelie Mathers who came second and was the first female to cross the line,” she said.
“These are teenagers we’ve got to watch out for because, down the track, these two have got a bright future for them in running.”
Local St Mary’s Cohuna principal Jarrod Mullavey won the half marathon by nearly 14 minutes, finishing with a time of 01:24:31.
The event even had a virtual option where people from far and wide could compete at home.
Nicholson said it was becoming more popular every year.
“We’re picking up more entrants in our virtual options every year,” she said.
“This year, we had someone from Western Australia and a couple from Melbourne.
“Some of these people have never had anything to do with Cohuna, but they’ve heard about it somehow and just enjoy supporting a small community fundraiser.”
The amount raised for Cohuna District Hospital will be announced in mid-April.
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WINNERS
Half Marathon: Jarrod Mullavey – 1:24:38
12.5km run: Bruce Maunganidze – 0:53:09
6.5km run: Rivers Webb – 0:26:54
50km cycle: Aaron Mulkearns – 1:15:31
25km cycle: Karen Butcher – 0:45:25
6.5km cycle: Finlay Arnold – 0:15:14
