The fourth edition of the annual Run the Tan showcase charity event was held at Melbourne’s iconic Tan Track on Sunday 21 April 2024 to help raise much-needed awareness and funds for mental health and showcase our Aussie elite middle-distance athletes.
With more than 2000 competitors and spectators, the event raised over $68,000 for local mental health charities and has raised over $135,000 in the past 2 years, with some of Australia’s best elite athletes putting on a spectacle to set new all-time records around the iconic Tan Track.
Michael ROEGER broke his own all-time Para multiclass record by 2 seconds, setting a new benchmark of 11:01 (MCS% 34.25), Reece LANGDON came 2nd in 11:17 (MCS% 33.64%) and Annabelle COLMAN was the 1st female in a time of 13:30 coming 3rd overall based on the universal Multi Classification Scoring system with an MCS% of 32.49. Michael took away a nice little prize cheque of $5,000 for taking the win and breaking the para course record thanks to Myriad Kofkin Global.
In the men’s elite race, Irishman Andrew COSCORAN took the win in a time of 10:28 which was only just outside the all-time top 10 fastest times. If he ran a sub-10:26 then he would have knocked 4 guys off the current top 10 rankings. Seth O’DONNELL has a massive run coming 2nd in 10:34 and Dale CARROLL earned himself 3rd place in 10:36, followed closely by three-time Olympian David MCNEILL in 10:37.
There were another strong contingent of sporting idols and celebrities participating in the
Celebrity Challenge and supporting the cause for mental health including; comedian and radio show host Dave Hughes (who hasn’t missed a Run the Tan event since it started in 2021), Ash Williams, Alicia Loxley (Channel 9 News), AFL greats Campbell Brown, Steven Baker, Billy Brownless, Essendon’s AFLW Maddy Prespakis.
Melbourne Renegades Mackenzie Harvey and soccer legends Archie Thomson and Andy Brennan also joined the field. Jason Warne returned in honour of his late brother, Shane, who was an inaugural ambassador for the charity event. Mental health advocate, and former Miss Universe Olivia Molly Rogers also joined for her first run in the celebrity challenge. There were lots of laughs, goodtimes, and positive vibes amongst this group who grows in numbers every year.
Run the Tan Founder, Darren Templeton is a passionate advocate for promoting the benefits ofe xercise on our mental health and wellbeing. “Run the Tan has not only helped reshape the history books for The Tan Track but has also inspired a new generation of athletes and enthusiasts to strive for excellence, by using movement to help improve mental health,” he said.
Leading lender Liberty was the major naming rights sponsor for the event. Other key event sponsors included New Balance, Up There Athletics, Myriad Kofkin Global, Jellis Craig, GMHBA, and McArthur, with additional support from City of Melbourne, Athletics Australia, Athletics Victoria and Bennelong.
The event supports and raises funds and awareness for local mental health charities in Australia.It had 18 mental health charity partners connected to the event this year such as Lifeline, RUOK, Beyond Blue, Blackdog, Ambers White Light, and Its okay not to be okay. Participants could chooseto create their own fundraising page to support the work of their preferred charity and the general public can make a direct donation to a selected charity.
Fundraising for Run the Tan is still open, so donate today to help support local mental health charities at runthetant/fundraising
