Bunbury Runners Club ready for annual Christmas Run

The club’s Christmas Run will see runners leave from the group’s headquarters – Bunbury Recreation Ground – at 6pm on Thursday, December 21. 

The contingent will then run through Victoria Street and the CBD, raising awareness for the South West Women’s Refuge’s work in the community.

The event will see runners dressing up in Christmas-themed outfits. A Christmas party will be held afterwards to celebrate the group’s efforts throughout the year. 

The group will be joined by the Bunbury Volunteer Fire Brigade along with a small group from the Busselton Runners Club during the event. 

Prior to the run, the group collected toys to give to the refuge. 

Bunbury Runners Club President Keith Yardley said the run was open to people of all ages and abilities. 

“It is not just about running, it’s a family gesture of having everybody together,” he said. 

“We want to portray that we’re not just a running club, we are a club that is well-cemented in the community.”

The event first began in 2011, conducted to lift spirits and establish the group’s profile around town. 

Bunbury Runners Club member Tony Minards said the run illustrated the community’s Christmas spirit. 

Mr Minards said the run helped to bring people in the CBD closer together. 

“It is a celebration of Christmas and wellbeing,” he said. 

​“Once the Christmas Run has occurred it really does feel more like Christmas. “We’ve had some spectacular costumes and people put a big effort in to come dressed up.”

People interested can participate in costume or their regular running gear.

Organisers cheekily deemed it the “slowest run of the year”, with the group vowing to stick together on the day.

The club has begun preparations for the Australia Day Fun Run and Women’s Fun Run next year. 

The group ranges in athletes between “eight to 80 years of age”. 

Check out the Bunbury Runners Club website for more information.