ABOVE: Paralympian Katie Kelly, centre with gold medal, at the QE track with sponsors and volunteers of the Casino Fun Run.
Susanna Freymark
Casino Fun Run is back. Things have been quiet on the running track in the past two years with the run being cancelled because of covid.
Fun run organiser Peta Maloney said there were some new sponsors this year and the run would be back on Sunday, October 23 at Queen Elizabeth Park in Casino.
Anyone can enter with runs of 2km, 5km — and 10km for those who are extra fit and keen for a workout.
The run was officially launched at QE park today, Friday, August 26.
Paralympian Katie Kelly was visiting Casino and announced that the Sport Access Foundation (SAF), set up with Casino RSM Club, were sponsors of the event.
“I have many memories of sport in this town I love,” Ms Kelly said.
The SAF was set up in 2017 with the aim of increasing the involvement of indigenous girls in sport and including those with disabilities in sport.
Marathon runner Ms Kelly won a gold medal in Rio, competing as a vision impaired athlete.
She won’t make it to the run on October 23 as she will be on a 30-day hike.
Casino Food Co-op’s chairman John Seccombe said the co-op had come on board as sponsors to extend the meatworks’ fitness and wellbeing program.
The run brought everyone together, he said.
“A really unified community is the cornerstone for any business,” he said.
Casino RSM Club’s Neale Genge said he had increased their fun run sponsorship this year.
With SAF, the club was donating $6000 as well as $1500 to be sponsor of the 10km run.
The fun run is also sponsored by Parker Kissane, Bulgar Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Corporation and Richmond Valley Council.
Casino Little Athletics will volunteer at the 9th Casino Fun Run.
Find out more at casinofunrun.com
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