London Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson has been announced as the celebrity guest for the 14th annual MRA Cranbourne GP Run in October.By Bridget Cook
FORGET Usain Bolt’s planned holiday to the country, Australia’s Olympic golden girl Sally Pearson is coming to Casey.
The London Olympic gold medallist has been announced as the celebrity guest for the 14th annual MRA Cranbourne GP Run on Saturday 27 October.
Pearson will wave off thousands of riders who will travel en-masse from Cranbourne to Phillip Island for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Pearson won gold in London with a dramatic victory in the 100 metre hurdles, setting a new Olympic record of 12.35 seconds, making her a dual Olympic medallist after receiving a silver medal for the same event in Beijing 2008.
She is also the current 100m hurdle world champion and was named the IAAF Best Female Athlete in the world in 2011.
Thousands of people will gather to join Pearson in the wave off, with Cranbourne streets set to come alive with free entertainment and activities in what has become the City of Casey’s biggest and most popular free event.
National youth organisation – The Reach Foundation – has been named as the charity partner for this year’s event.
Reach was established by the late Jim Stynes OAM and Australian film director, Paul Currie, in 1994 to inspire all young people to believe in themselves and get the most out of life.
Through school and community programs, Reach supports young people to feel safe, share their story, and discover their potential.
Reach programs are preventative in nature. They aim to build self-efficacy among young people, while supporting them to develop the social and emotional skills they need to be resilient and make positive life choices.
City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz said Reach promoted mental health and emotional well being in young people.
“This is important for the City of Casey as we have one of the highest concentrations of young people in the state,” he said.
“Council is committed to supporting our young people and by joining with Reach for the city’s biggest event of year, we can demonstrate our belief in young people and the significance of their contribution to community life.
“Reach has identified that developing these skills in young people can reduce serious problems and disadvantage later in life such as depression, substance abuse, homelessness and suicide.
“By having a presence at the 2012 MRA GP Run, Reach will remind the community of these issues and raise awareness of and fundraise for their programs.”
Members of the community will be able to contribute a gold coin donation to Reach at the free rides and activities at the event.
A representative from the organisation will also address the crowd on its programs from the main stage.
The MRA Cranbourne GP Run will be held on Saturday 27 October in High Street, Cranbourne, from 8.15am, with Pearson to wave the riders off from a cherry picker at 10am.
Childers, Bakewell and Lyall streets and Greg Clydesdale Square will add to the day’s celebration with a range of stall holders, activities and entertainment for the whole family.
For more information contact City of Casey’s Customer Service on 9705 5200 or visit
www.casey.vic.gov.au/gprun.
For information about The Reach Foundation visit www.reach.org.au.
The event is proudly supported by the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia (MRA), Victoria Police, Star News Group and Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce.
