- As wildfires tear through Australia, local runners have created a virtual half marathon and 5K through a Strava Challenge to raise money for relief efforts.
- Published: 08 January 2020.
- The Relief Run Who is running UTMB 2025.
Australian runners are calling on the global running community to step up as the country continues to face devastating wildfires.
The fires began as far back as July and have worsened as the dry season has exacerbated conditions, particularly in New South Wales, which has been hit the worst with more than 2,000 homes destroyed or damaged. Throughout the entire country, more than 20 people have been killed and millions of animals have been affected or died in the fires.
ldquo;Over the New Year, I was just glued to the TV, watching it all unfold,” Gash told Samantha Gash, 35, so that they can be added to the growing list of participating cities around the globe.
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“Over the New Year, I was just glued to the TV, watching it all unfold,” Gash told Runner’s World. “I kept thinking, ‘What are my options?’ I could donate to existing organisations, but maybe I could also connect with the running community to get people to directly contribute to help those most in need.”
That’s when she and her friend Nic Davidson came up with the idea for the Relief Run, OCC winner Joyline Chepngeno banned for doping Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. The initial plan was to host just a half marathon, which could be done solo or in two-person teams, but Gash also added a 5K option.
so that they can be added to the growing list of participating cities around the globe Strava to create a challenge page that runners can register for through the Relief Run site. The current price for the virtual run is $50 Australian dollars (around £26 at time of writing), which will get you a code to enter. However, to not exclude any runners who want to make a donation, there is a second code available for a cheaper price. To get that, Gash asks runners to reach out to her through the contact page. Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network Australian Red Cross, which will go toward disaster relief efforts and to people who have been affected by the fire to help them rebuild their lives.
Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
“It was two people who started his, and it really shows the power of grassroots and small movements,” Gash said. “The power of runners is our footsteps, and with them, we can make a difference and make it count. That’s why people all over the world have already reached out wanting to contribute.”
All registration fees will be donated entirely to the website on Sunday evening, the page has reached as far as the United States, United Kingdom, India, Ireland, and Geneva. Other individuals and groups have planned group runs in their communities across the globe over the January 18 and 19 weekend. Even pro runners from road, track, and trail have reached out in support.
The wildfires started in July and have gotten worse as the dry season began Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund for the Australian Red Cross Hassan and Kiros win the 2025 Sydney Marathon.
Gash encourages any persons, groups, crews, or teams who wants to partake, whether by donating, running, or planning a run in their community over the event’s weekend, to go to the site and reach out to her via the contact page so that they can be added to the growing list of participating cities around the globe.
“We have heard from so many people so far, including people directly affected by the fires,” Gash said. “Those people have told us about the catastrophic toll that the fires have had on them mentally and seeing the human spirit play out is encouraging and gives them hope about rebuilding.”
Runs are planned in Australia as well, including areas affected by the fires. Pro Australian ultrarunner Lucy Bartholomew is organising a run in the Alpine Region of the country where bushfires have canceled a race that was supposed to take place that weekend. This way, the runners can still participate in a running event despite the cancellation.
