$1m raised for charity as Bridge to Brisbane comes down to the wire
$1 million has been raised for over 300 Queensland charities at this year’s Bridge to Brisbane, where there was less than a second separating this year’s men’s 10km winner and runner-up. RESULTS, PICTURES
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$1 million has been raised for over 300 Queensland charities in this year’s Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane.
The city’s most iconic run saw more than 21,000 people walking, jogging and running along a picturesque course to raise money for causes close to their hearts.
Bridge to Brisbane event manager Leesa Baker said that fundraising cracked the $1 million mark following the race on Sunday morning.
“That’s a huge number,” she said.
“The fundraising was really strong and now over 300 Queensland charities have benefited from this work.”
Currently, the top fundraising team is Team Transurban with more than $340,000 raised to date.
Transurban Queensland Group Executive Sue Johnson said they were “proud” to have helped the iconic event reach the $1m mark.
“Our 260 participants in Team Transurban dug deep and raised $350,000 for our long term charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities SEQ, celebrating 10 years of support for this amazing charity,” she said.
This year’s 26th annual race was a “strong” Bridge to Brisbane, according to Ms Baker who said it felt good being back to the normal date slot after two years of changes and postponing.
“It had a really good vibe, the weather was fantastic. Brisbane came out in full force, it was just a real community event,” she said.
Blood, sweat and blisters as Bridge to Brisbane comes down to the wire
He’s raced the Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane half a dozen times, but today was the first time Liam Boudin won the men’s 10km division.
And what a finish, with less than a second separating him from the second place getter.
“This one’s always been a pretty big one on the running calendar, so to finally win is pretty amazing,” Mr Boudin said.
“I knew Jack (Jack Bruce, who came in a close second) was going to be the biggest threat.
“I’ve raced Jack so many times and he’s such a class act, so I knew it was going to be tough.”
Mr Boudin crossed the line in 28.52 minutes while Mr Bruce clocked 28.59 minutes.
Mr Boudin said having raced Mr Bruce a few times helped push him and ultimately motivated him to win.
“In the last kilometre I just thought ‘I gotta put my head down break that rubberband’.
“Once I overtook him I thought it might be hard for him to come back.”
Another 10km winner, Cassie Fien said she was stoked with today’s result.
The female winner, from Brisbane, said it her time of 33.15 minutes wasn’t a personal best but she was more than happy with her result.
“This is my third time running the Bridge to Brisbane and I’ll definitely be running next year,” she said.
When Ms Fien was asked by The Courier-Mail what motivates her to get up and train everyday she replied her mental health.
“I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today if it wasn’t for running, it’s my saviour,” she said.
Taking out the wheelie division was Richard Colman, despite forgetting some crucial gear.
Mr Colman said he had to push through blood, sweat and blisters because he forgot one of his gloves.
“I’ve had an eventful day,” Mr Colman said.
“4am was too early to find out I’ve lost one of my gloves and I had to push with a tape and one glove.
“I’ve got blisters on every hand and I was dripping with blood.”
Mr Colman said he got to the 5km mark and could see his right hand dripping with blood.
“I was like ‘it’s gonna be a long way’ but all I had to do was get in a rhythm and get to the finish line.”
Not a personal best but Mr Colman said he was happy to finish in a time of 31 minutes.
Mr Colman has been racing for almost 25 years and has travelled the world to race in various competitions including the New York Marathon.
“This one’s a good hit out because the bridge here is exactly the same as New York Marathon,” he said.
Mr Colman wants to encourage more para athletes to compete.
“Get involved, you never know where you can go and you can travel the world and have a great life travelling the world.”
Sara-Ashlee Tait took out the female wheelie category, with a time of 38.37 minutes.
Emelia Schulze, 11, was the fastest person under the age of 12 to cross the finish line, running the 10km in 45 minutes.
“My parents are still running,” Ms Schulze said at the end.
“It was really fun except for the hills it was really hard at the end.
“This is my third time running 10kms and second time running the Bridge to Brisbane.”
Ms Schulze said she can’t be unhappy with a new personal best.
Among the competitive runners were thousands who dressed up for the occasion, including one group dressing as a CityCat.
Sharn Bayard and Luke Anderson, who raced as the iBus last year, opted for the city’s iconic ferries as inspiration this year.
Mr Anderson said the brainchild for the CityCat came from aerodynamics.
“We upgraded to the CityCat to be more streamlined, a bit heavier, a bit longer but we are aerodynamic,” he said.
“We actually beat our time from last year - we got under 41 minutes.”
To anyone trying to beat their costume, they said “good luck”.
Also among the participants were super dads and supermums pushing prams.
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