MORE than 500 eager runners pounded the pavement last Tuesday in the Bunbury Mail Australia Day Fun Run.
Organised and directed by the Bunbury Runners Club, the event raises money for local charities each year.
In 2016, it raised upwards of $5,000, which was donated to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund to aid victims of the Yarloop fires.
Race director Allan Whitfield said the decision to donate funds to help fire victims was a unanimous decision across the Runners Club committee.
“We initially looked for a specific local organisation that helped in the fires to donate our money to,” he said.
“But after talking to some emergency services people we decided to donate to the official relief fund.
“There was no second thought.”
The annual event, now in its 23rd year, attracts hundreds of people to the Leschenault Inlet each Australia Day.
Mr Whitfield attributed its success to old fashioned community spirit.
“It’s a family friendly event and people love getting out and embracing the run,” he said.
“There’s also a walk and a shorter distance run so it caters for everyone.
“I guess it’s really just a great way to start the day.”
