The inaugural Perth Running Festival kicked off on Sunday 7 October, with runners and walkers pounding the pavement on 4km, 14km or half-marathon routes.
Local athletes and families flocked to take part in what was touted as the only challenge event to start in Optus Stadium and cross the newly opened Matagarup bridge.
Perth Running Festival participants also had the option to donate or fundraise for Perth’s own Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
Runner and Manjimup local, Kristin Eames (34), has been floored by the outpouring of community support she has received for her fundraising in the Perth Running Festival.
The mother of four and passionate runner has raised more than $16,000 thanks to the generosity of her friends, neighbours and the Manjimup community.
Keen to challenge herself and raise important funds for research at the Perkins, Kristen initially set a goal to raise $3,000.
“I had the idea to ask local businesses to buy a kilometre of my run for a $100 donation and they would get their business name printed on the back of my running shirt,” Kristin said.
“Together with holding a wood raffle, I thought I’d reach my goal but it just went crazy! Within 2 days I had raised $6000 and the donations just haven’t stopped.”
“I changed my goal to $10,000 and made that within the week! It has been such an enormous community effort, the support I have received has just blown me away and I am so grateful and blessed to have had this response.”
Kristen said she was inspired to fundraise by her dad, Ashley, who was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma in March this year.
“My dad is the meaning of the word strong. He fought prostate cancer 12 years ago and he is going through a really hard time with his cancer treatment now,” Kristen said.
“I know I cant take this away from him, as much as I wish I could, I just hope one day there will be big breakthroughs with these horrible diseases to spare other families having to go through the heartache this causes.”
“Fundraising for medical research is so important, even if it doesn’t make a difference straight away we need to make a difference for our children, and our grandchildren. A little effort can really go a long way.”
Learn more about the Perth Running Festival at https://perthrunningfestival.com.au/
