Walk or run, just have fun

It’s time to grab the joggers from the cupboard and get in training to help raise funds for the Our Kids charity.

Then you’ll be prepared to take your place at the starting line of the 12th Darrel Chapman Fun Run, being held at Southern Cross University on Sunday, May 20.

The event is being run by students from the School of Exercise Science and Sport Management, as part of their studies, in honour of respected academic and local sporting legend, Darrel Chapman, who passed away from bowel cancer in 1992.

Close friend Malcolm Marshall, Executive Director of Corporate Services, said Associate Professor Chapman would be very proud the University was running this event and supporting such a worthy cause – raising money to buy vital medical equipment for the Lismore Base Hospital children’s ward.

“I remember Darrel as a very friendly, happy-go-lucky and fun-loving man,” Mr Marshall said.

“He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Management and also the North Coast Academy of Sport.

“He was passionate about young people and getting them involved in any kind of sport. He was a great sports all-rounder himself, but was best known for playing rugby league for Australia and captaining South Sydney in his heyday.”

One of the event co-ordinators, Sport Tourism Management student Lauren McDonald, said the 16 students helping to stage the fun run hoped it would attract over 500 participants and raise a minimum of $4000 for the Our Kids charity.

“The students have found it challenging staging a major sporting event,” she said, “we have had to take charge of everything from planning the course – participants can choose either the three-kilometre or six-kilometre routes which wind through the University grounds and East Lismore – as well as covering things like operational logistics, sponsorship and media.

“It has been a huge learning curve but a fantastic real life experience. We really hope the whole community gets behind us.”

To get on board with sponsorship of the event, or for more information on how to register call 6626 9570 or email dcfr@scu.edu.au.

The race starts at 9am, with registration open from 7am. The entry fees are $8 per person or $25 for a group (pre registration before May 19), or $12 per person on the day.

You can pick up a registration form at the Southern Cross University gym, the OSCA office in Goodman Plaza, Summerland Credit Union (on campus).

Photo: In training for the Darrel Chapman Fun Run are event co-organisers, from left: Peter Mooney, Holly Archibald and Lauren McDonald.