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Sea of pink at Mother’s Day Classic fun run

More than 400 Hedland residents packed the Civic Centre Gardens last Sunday wearing everything from jogger’s shorts to cupcake costumes to raise money for breast cancer at the Mother’s Day Classic fun run.

For some, the six and four kilometre runs represented a chance to set down personal best running times, while for others the community event was a chance to show some flair.

“The community spirit was great as people got into costume – there were very few people not in costumes – it was incredible,” said Kellie Williams, the Town of Port Hedland health and lifestyle officer.

“The team that won the best costume were dressed as cupcakes.

“They just looked fabulous, they must have spent weeks working on them and they weren’t the only ones.

“It was very colourful right around the track and fun to watch everyone come under the start finish arch, which really stood out against the ocean in the background.”

The event had raised more than $26,000 to aid breast cancer research by last Sunday May 12.

With 23 teams entering the fun run, the BHP outfit were the leading fundraisers as of May 14 with $8,892, while Hedland mums on the run came in second with $3,385 and the Port Pacers raising $1,270 in third place.

Lisa Wantuch was the leading individual fund raiser with $2,230 followed by Rhonda Mitchell with $930 and Candice Willison with $920.

Luke Hoetjies was the first male to cross the line in the six kilometre run in a time of 25min 11secs with Amanda Hamilton leading the ladies in 26min 45secs.

Nine-year-old Kyle Vandenhurk was the first junior to cover the three kilometre course, while Damina Buck was the first junior over six kilometres.

Kellie said this year’s event had grown significantly from last year’s with the hope that there will be even more runners and cash raised in 2014.