Australia's kids, families, competitive runners and environment lovers are gearing up take part in the world's first simultaneous running event raising awareness for the Great Barrier Reef. The 23 events will be held in cities across Australia and New Zealand on Sunday October 16, 2022.

run4reef will see thousands simultaneously run as one for climate change across the streets of Adelaide, Ballarat, Bendigo, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Central Coast, Darwin, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Moreton Bay, Newcastle, Sydney, Perth, Thursday Island, Townsville across Australia, and Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand.

Events will include a kids fun run, 5 and 10km all abilities events, and a special race2zero 10km event with a $1K male and female cash prize for competitive runners – all participating simultaneously against their fellow runners across Australia and New Zealand, tracking time through connected technology displayed on big screens.

run4reef Race Director and Olympian Steve Moneghetti is leading the charge by calling on climate conscious Aussies to come together with their friends and loved ones for the betterment of their health and the health of the planet.

“It's time for Aussies of all abilities to pull on their running shoes and come together to help raise funds to preserve Australia's treasured Great Barrier Reef,” Moneghetti said.“Whether you're in Sydney, Perth, Cairns or Auckland, and running, walking or jogging, we'll all be running as one to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Reef and other world-leading climate initiatives.

“The inaugural run4reef event is truly something people of all ages and abilities can proudly take part in to give back to our planet and I'm calling on all of us to get involved. Get your friends, family or colleagues together to be part of an exciting global mission!”

run4reef will raise much-needed funds to help protect the Reef, with 15% of registration income supporting the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's innovative 'plant a coral initiative', WWF-Australia, WWF-NZ and local government organisations based on event location. Non-runners can also get involved and support the cause by donating online and signing up to become a Reef Fan.

Internationally acclaimed marine scientist and leading authority on coral reef science and conservation, Great Barrier Reef Foundation Chief Scientist Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said the time is now for Australians to support one of the world's most pressing environmental threats.

“With the health of the world's largest living ecosystem at stake, the need for climate action has never been more pressing and I can't wait to see thousands of Australians and New Zealanders showing their support for the climate at this year's run4reef.”

By registering, participants and Reef Fans who enter early will automatically have the chance to win a range of prizes including a complimentary trip to the Great Barrier Reef, a premium new car courtesy of race sponsor BYD (first 40,000 registrants)

To register for one of the 23 local run4reef events or show your support part by becoming a Reef Fan, visit run4reef.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Alex Clampett
Publicist, HERO Agency
Representing run4reef
Mob: 0411 046 734
Email: alex.c@thehero.co

ABOUT RUN4REEF
run4reef was created from the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival first run in 2011 by Run for the Planet Pty Ltd. This event was held along the coastline of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. run4reef 2022 is all about continuing this movement – raising awareness and funds for unique reef research and coming together as ONE for climate action and environmental sustainability. 

In 2022 simultaneous running events will be held in 21 iconic locations across Australia and New Zealand showcasing host cities and bringing 100,000 participants together to run for our own natural wonder of the world – the Great Barrier Reef.

EVENT PARTNERS
In partnership with the world's leading online fundraising platform Just Giving, run4reef will raise much needed funds for The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, WWF-Australia, WWF-New Zealand and a variety of reef saving initiatives.Run4reef have also joined forces with principal corporate partner evdirect.com (EV Direct) to give event participants the chance to win two BYD ATTO3 electric SUV's. The events are supported by both the Queensland and Australian Governments to ignite global awareness of climate action support for the country's most treasured natural wonders. Other major event partners include Evie Networks, who are currently building Australia's largest electric vehicle fast charging network, and Care Wear Wearable Therapeutics.