Hobart’s annual Run the Bridge brought together runners and walkers of all ages on Sunday, from babies in prams to participants in their mid-80s.
“There was no demographic left untouched,” event director Richard Welsh told Pulse.
“We had 11 countries represented and all states and territories [of Australia].
The event, sponsored by St Lukes this year, saw 4,550 people take the opportunity to run over the iconic Tasman Bridge as it closed for traffic on Sunday morning.
The run has shifted focus from its previous elite racing format to become a mass community event celebrating families and first-time participants.
“We’ve just decided to shine a light on families and teams and people doing fun runs for the first time,” Welsh said.
“We’re really highlighting people getting an opportunity to run over something that’s only closed one day a year.”
Colourful costumes dotted the active wear brigade, including a group of mates dressed as different foods.
Many runners participated for charity, with some pushing wheelchair-bound participants who couldn’t complete the course independently.
New South Wales man Leo Peterson took out the men’s 10km and Tasmanian Olympian Milly Clark won for the third time, but organisers said the elite component was overshadowed by community participation.
Despite strong numbers, Welsh still sees bigger and better things coming for future Run the Bridge events.
“We had 2% of Hobart [do] it which means 98% of Hobart didn’t do it,” he said.
“There’s plenty of room for growth, and we need it because as a society where 67.5% of us are overweight or obese, so we need events like this for people to set a target for and set their own goals, and we need people to go and start leading a fit and healthy, active lifestyle.”
