Herald Sun/City Link Run for the Kids 2017: pictures, video

IT was wet out there, but that didn’t stop the smiles as more than 26,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Run for the Kids this morning. DID OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS CAPTURE YOU?

WIND and rain did little to dampen the spirits of more than 26,000 runners and walkers who pounded the pavement to support Victoria’s sickest kids on Sunday.

Now in its 12th year, the iconic charity run raised more than $1.51 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Event partner CityLink later announced it had donated an additional $90,000, topping up the total funds raised to $1.6 million — the equal single biggest contribution to the Good Friday Appeal. Run times will be published in the Herald Sun on Tuesday. Get your copy of the paper to see how you fared Race director Steve Moneghetti said he was touched by the support the event received despite the difficult conditions on the day. “It shows how important the run is because there was every reason for people not to come this year and yet people still voted with their feet and turned up,” the former Olympian and marathon champion said. “It’s a great course and you only get to run on that course once a year so you make the most of the opportunity.” After a brief spell of sunshine as the first wave of runners waited at the start line, moments after the starting gun sounded the storm clouds rolled in and the drenching began. The 14.6km long course took runners through the Domain Tunnel and over the Bolte Bridge where they faced challenging winds and wet, slippery roads. But despite the wild weather, nothing could stop the smiles crossed the finish line. Racegoers were cheered on by hundreds of people who braved the rain and stood on the sidelines to offer their support. It’s the third year team Little Q have donned their yellow uniform and come out to support the Royal Children’s Hospital, a cause close to their hearts. With more than 54 members including toddlers in prams and great grandparents, the team of family and friends run in memory of Baby Quade, who spent much of his short life at the Children’s hospital receiving treatment for a rare genetic condition. Quade’s mother Leah Wilson said the team aim to raise funds for the hospital and other families facing a similar heartbreaking situation. “The staff at the Children’s are amazing,” Ms Wilson said. “We spent a lot of time with Quade in ICU during his final weeks and they were an incredible support to all of us. “Seeing and working with sick children every day must be so tough and we just want to show our support,” she said. Despite the conditions, Ms Wilson said nearly every member of the team had turned out to run and walk together in the short 4.8km course. Run for the Kids is the single biggest fundraising contributor to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal with the event raising over $15.7 million since its inception in 2006. Readers can still sponsor those who ran yesterday by visiting the fundraising page at www.runforthekids.com.au WINNERS IT was a team affair for the winners of the 2017 Run for the Kids long course with partners Charlotte Wilson and Liam Adams taking out the event’s top honours. For Melbourne born Liam Adams, it was the fourth time competing in the 14.6km course. The Rio Olympian blitzed the competition and finished in a time of 44:28 minutes despite what he said were less than ideal running conditions. Sydneysider Charlotte Wilson took out the women’s competition in 53:12 minutes and said the adrenaline from the crowd helped get her through her first time running the event. “I’m new to the Melbourne running scene so it’s great to see so many people out here braving the conditions to support the great cause,” Wilson said. Campbell Message took out the wheelchair category for the second year in a row taking just 46:23 minutes to complete the long course. Reilly Shaw and Sarah Waters were first to cross the line for the short course with Shaw completing the 4.8km race in 14:01 minutes and Waters finishing in 16:17 minutes. [e-mail] @GenevieveAlison

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