City event tipped to be biggest yet for anniversary celebration

Blue Lake Fun Run Preview  TBW Newsgroup
Blue Lake Fun Run Preview  TBW Newsgroup
MERGING TOGETHER: Lakes Rotary Mount Gambier member John Kirby (back left), OneFortyOne Plantations Green Triangle industry career champion Linda Cotterill, Rotary club members Mark Teakle, Trevor Williams and Graham Robinson with young brothers William (front) and Mitchell Colliver. Pictures: MOLLY TAYLOR

MOUNT Gambier’s 2019 Blue Lake Fun Run event is gearing up to be the biggest yet, with its 10-year anniversary celebrated in December.

Preparation is already under way by Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier for this year’s run with an event committee planning to lace up their sneakers for the fitness and fun-filled day.

OneFortyOne Plantations continues its major sponorship for the event, with Green Triangle industry career champion Linda Cotterill saying the run represented the core values of the organisation.

“It is great alignment for us as it highlights what our company is all about,” Ms Cotterill said.

“It is a diverse event which offers opportunity for everyone to become involved with fun and fitness a bonus.

“I know we encourage our employees and associates to become involved so hopefully it becomes a beacon for other employers to do the same.”

Ms Cotterill suggested a 10 year anniversary theme would add a point of difference to this year’s event.

Lakes Rotary Club committee member Trevor Williams said the three different routes of 3.2km, 6.8km and 10.4 km intend to cater for all fitness levels.

Blue Lake Fun Fun Preview  TBW Newsgroup
READY TO RACE: Young Mount Gambier residents and brothers William and Mitchell Colliver have been busily involved in the preparation for December’s Blue Lake Fun Run which is majorly sponsored by OneFortyOne Plantations. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

“The event is a fun-family based day which is not a marathon or completely based on fitness,” Mr Williams said.

“All funds raised are injected back into the local community and the event would not be possible without our sponsors.

“We keep the cost down to a minimum by having volunteer work which we are always grateful for.”

Mr Williams said over $20,000 was raised last year and hoped to top the figure during this year’s event.

“We allow local businesses and firms to become involved as much as they can in anyway possible,” he said .

“If they can not donate we encourage them to participate as a team or volunteer in some way.

“On the day you see many people involved who are having fun which is rewarding.”

Ms Cotterill said it was great to see not only businesses involved but also sporting clubs, schools and other not-for-profit organisations entering teams.

“I think we are gradually seeing more participation and the wheels are in motion for it to continue to grow,” she said.

“Each year we have some exceptional entries from people from across the green triangle region.

“It has become a prominent event which does not seem to clash with anything else and we hope to see it continue to develop in years to come.”

Participant registrations will open on September 17 for the run, which will be held on December 1.