Athletics Australia – Great Australian Run: Bigger and better

The Great Australian Run returns bigger and better in 2009, with a world-class field in addition to a number of new initiatives set to engage and inspire thousands of weekend warriors – and kids – across the nation.

To be staged on Sunday, November 29 the 15km event will start and finish in Albert Park, the fast and picturesque course taking in some of Melbourne’s most famous landmarks.

Last year the event was recognised as being the best quality road race ever staged in Australia outside of the Sydney Olympics. Hundreds of fans lined the streets of Melbourne to catch a glimpse of the world’s greatest distance runner, Haile Gebreslassie of Ethiopia, storm to a convincing victory in Albert Park’s pit lane.

The Great Australian Run is renowned for attracting some of the world’s greatest distance athletes and this year will be no exception. Thousands of casual joggers and walkers will be given the unique opportunity to run in the same race as the world’s elite whilst targeting their own goals such as a personal best time or even a race finish.

However this year it’s not only the adults that get to have all the fun. As a precursor to the main event, thousands of kids will pull on their sneakers and run around Albert Park on Saturday, November 28.

A healthy outdoor activity for all of the family, children aged 11 to 14 will have an opportunity to run or walk 5km in the Junior Great Australian Run, whilst those under eleven years of age can participate in the Great Australian Family Run over 2km.

For only $25, each child receives entry into the event, an adidas t-shirt, a finisher’s pack, a medal and more – great value for money!

In addition there will also be a 5km elite wheelchair race and an opportunity for corporate teams to get involved in the corporate challenge whilst Australia’s best runners will vie for the title of Australian road running champion.

Back by popular demand, the Fittest Footy Fan Challenge returns in 2009.

Select your AFL team when you enter, and the first 30 male and female finishers for each club will have their times averaged out to determine the team with the fittest fans. Prizes will be awarded to these 60 runners from the winning team. Last year Collingwood stole victory ahead of Carlton, Essendon and Hawthorn. Will you let the Magpies go back-to-back?  Club pride is on the line!

Network Ten will broadcast the entire event LIVE direct into lounge rooms across the nation, the elite as well as the casual jogger taking centre stage.

The coverage will also be seen by countless millions around the globe when the highlights program is later transmitted by Great Run partner stations in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Great Australian Run is the brainchild of Great Run, the event organisers of the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, plus numerous other mass participation running events in the UK, Ireland, Ethiopia and Zambia.

Entries are now open.

Key event details:

What:
 Fun run for runners, joggers and walkers of all ages, levels and abilities
 
When:
 Saturday, 28 November 2009 (family, junior and wheelchair)
 
Sunday, 29 November 2009 (Great Australian Run)
 
Where:
 Melbourne, starting and finishing at Albert Park