25-year-old Jack Dyson runs for Cystic Fibrosis in City to Casino
There was no slowing Jack Dyson down in his efforts to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis at the 50th City to Casino in Hobart. HIS HEROIC RUN >
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Sporting a red cape, a red tutu and red hair, Jack Dyson raised awareness for cystic fibrosis by crossing the finish line after running 7km at the 50th anniversary of City to Casino.
Mr Dyson, who has the disease, achieved the milestone along with 2500 other competitors on Sunday who braved the rain and freezing cold conditons.
“I haven’t run in about five years and noticing it today it was just really easy to run,” he said.
“The lungs actually held up really well but it was the feet that cramp up more than anything.
“The freedom of running next to nothing was wonderful. I think I got some more aerodynamics.”
The 25-year-old has raised $1700 for Cystic Fibrosis Tasmanian during it’s awareness month.
“The colour red has always been associated with CF,” he said.
“It commonly gets the nickname 65 Roses, because people can’t pronounce cystic fibrosis.”
Young runner Sophie Connolly, 17, was the first female over the line, running 7km in 25:39.
“I’m feeling pretty dead,” she said.
“I had some guys that I was trying to chase the whole time and had to focus on just the fast but really challenging course.
“I really like racing in cold conditions as a Tassie girl. It’s nice because it keeps your really refreshed when you are tired.”
Winning his second year in a row, James Hansen, 29, ran 12km in 36 minutes and 22 seconds.
“It’s the 50th anniversary of City to Casino so it’s pretty special. It’s a race I grew up knowing about,” he said.
“(Winning last year) set me up for a really good season so hopefully I can build on it and go from here.
“There’s some really stiff opposition this year, so I definitely wasn’t going to think it was going to be an easy race at all.”
The Launceston man is hoping to win a third race next year on the road to qualifying in the Paris Olympics.
“I’m trying to qualify for the Paris Olympics over the 1500m or 5k, so it would be great because I’ve never won three things in a row,” he said.
Celebrating her birthday the previous day, Melanie Daniels, 43, was the first female over the line in the 12km race with a time of 43:30.
She said she made sure she fuelled up on cake and pizza in preparation of the race.
“I actually won the children’s 2.7km race in primary school and I just remember watching Kylie Risk finish the race and wishing one day I could run as fast as her,” she said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win today so I’m really happy.”
It was bittersweet for race director Haydyn Nielson who is retiring from his role after being involved with the City to Casino for 50 years.
“I’m a bit emotional,” he said.
“When I first ran, it was very basic and you didn’t have a stage for presentations, you didn’t have so many people and you just basically ran and then went home, it was a quick process.”
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