For the past 42 years, students across St Bernard’s College and St Columba’s College have teamed up and trained tirelessly for weeks every Tuesday and Thursday morning, for the annual Maribyrnong 150 Charity Run event. The day consists of a continuous relay between year levels that aims to achieve a total of 150 km around the Maribyrnong River. Our charities we supported this year were Edmund Rice Foundation Australia (formally Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre) and Ruben Centre.
Leading up to the event, the year 12 students competed in the annual Charity Run Netball Game, held at St Columba’s. Although the girls fought hard for their first win, the boys unfortunately came out once again leaving them undefeated. On Friday morning on the 8th of September, at 3.30am, students arrived at the home base, Essendon Rowing Club and settled in for a long day of running and fun ahead. At 4am, the year 12 boys started the relay before handing it over to the year 12 girls for their final first lap. This rotation continued between each year level with the goal of reaching 150 km within 12 hours. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, as we battled some of the harshest conditions that the event has ever seen, but it didn’t stop us. We were kept occupied with card games like uno, charades, the famous table tennis face off and of course spending time with friends. Throughout the day we had many visitors from teachers, parents and dogs who came down to support or even run a lap with the students to keep us motivated. The final lap for the day was completed by all students where there was lots of singing and cheering, accompanied by a bit of rain. Lastly, we had a presentation to congratulate every student once again for all their hard work and dedication and of course a big thanks to our many sponsors who help support and keep the day functioning smoothly.
Thank you to all staff, from St Bernard’s and St Columba’s, for training us very hard and without you the day would have never gone ahead so thank you. Also a big thank you to all the parents, students, staff and community who helped raise an amazing $11,000 that goes towards our charities for the year. The day was a huge success and, being a Hall of Fame participant, I would encourage all students to get behind such an amazing school co-curricular activity that all goes to a good cause and is so rewarding by the end of it. Congratulations once again to everyone involved in the charity run event, and good luck to participants for the future.