A trio of runs offers fun for all

The new Park to Point Fun Run follows the Albany Athletics Club president George du Toit’s motto “we don’t compete, we complete”.

It is all about participating, regardless of your fitness level, with three different run lengths to choose from.

The longest is the 10km route from Anzac Peace Park to Emu Point, followed by the 5km run from Middleton Beach to Emu Point. A 2km kids’ dash starts and finishes at Emu Point.

With no competitive element, the Albany Athletics Club is encouraging people to get outdoors and have a go.

Mr du Toit said that the fun run was purely a community event — for the community, by the community.

You might be able to tell by his attire — the Emu Export shorts and the colourful shirt, which pays homage to his home country of South Africa — that he has fun with his running.

“We are doing this to encourage more participation of the community at large to get active and involved,” he said.

“The Albany Athletics Club have a specific emphasis that we would like the upcoming generation of kids to be involved — thus the so-called 2km kids’ dash is totally free.

“Albany is blessed with lovely walkways, lovely facilities, public washrooms, runways and for brave ones, you can swim at the beaches.

“There is an opportunity here and the facilities are out there, you just need some running shoes and some motivation.”

The club is hoping local schools will get their students involved.

He said that for those who wanted to race against their own time, there would be bibs and timers to track records.

“Whether you take a quick run or take your time and walk it, we want you to participate.”

The City of Albany has provided a grant to help fund the free kids’ dash.

The Park to Point Fun Run is on October 20 from 8.30am.

Tickets are available online.

Anyone interested in joining the athletics club can visit albanyathletics.com.au.