Blackmores Sydney Running Festival

On Sunday, 20th September 2009 nearly 100 people ran, walked and strolled across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Barnardos in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival and raised nearly $20,000 to help give a brighter future to abused and neglected children.

Roads in the city were closed from 4am to allow the record breaking 32,000 participants to take the once a year opportunity to walk across the iconic Harbour Bridge in either the 4km Family Fun Run, the 9km Daily Telegraph Body & Soul Bridge Run, the Blackmores Half Marathon or the Blackmores Marathon.

SBS sports presenter and former Socceroo, Craig Foster, led the Barnardos team in the 4km Family Fun Run with his two kids Jemma, nine, and Jake, 12. He was joined at the event by nearly 30 Barnardos staff, carers and their families as well as staff and pupils from Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill.

A big well done goes to Dianne Sabbadin from McGraths Hill and her eight strong team who between them have so far raised a fantastic $3650. Even more amazing was that Dianne managed to complete the half marathon in 103 minutes. Well done Di!

After the running was over the Barnardos marquee in the SKINS recovery village offered runners drinks, snack bars (courtesy of Coca-Cola Amatil, ALDI and Sydney Packaging) and the opportunity for the kids to get their faces painted by the Barnardos fairy, Bella from Creative Fairies. Yogi Stephanie Forrest also helped stretch out aching limbs with relaxing yoga massage, and much appreciation goes to our friends at Kelly Sports for sponsoring the marquee and for helping out on the day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day and helped us make this day a big success for Barnardos. So far the event has raised over $20,000 but there is still time to donate so if you’d like to give Craig and the Barnardos team a well-deserved pat on the back please visit www.gofundraise.com.au/runforbarnardos.