Mother and daughter Kerry and Grace Flanagan honour their late mother and grandmother Pat during the Mother's Day Classic. Source: News Corp Australia
Rebecca Judd and daughter Billie. Kate during the Mother's Day Classic. Source: News Corp Australia
THOUSANDS of Melbourne mums skipped breakfast in bed this morning to instead don their runners and pink sportswear to kick off Mother’s Day in a charitable fashion.
About 38,000 people took part in Melbourne’s Mother’s Day Classic event — an 8km or 4km fun run or walk around The Tan to raise money for breast cancer research — the biggest attendance in the country.
More than 125,000 more took to running tracks in regional and capital cities across the country to do their bit to fight the deadly disease, which kills seven women on average every day in Australia.
One of the event’s founders, Louise Davidson, said the event was emotional for breast cancer sufferers and their friends and family.
She said many participants pinned placards to their backs detailing the loved one they were running in memory or support of.
“One family I spoke to lost their mother to breast cancer when the kids were really little,” Ms Davidson said.
“They come every year to make something positive out of a tragedy.”
Famous mums and Channel 9 presenters Rebecca Judd, Livinia Nixon and Jo Hall were among those taking part in this year’s run, alongside footballers Brian Lake and Nathan Jones and Premier Denis Napthine.
Nat Mazzella and Katherine Flanagan during the Mother's Day Classic. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
A record $5 million was raised by 135,000 participants across Australia last year.
Organisers are confident of handing just as much cash to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s research program this year.
The event has raised more than $20 million since it began in 1998 and grown to encompass 11 metropolitan events and a record 87 regional runs across each state and territory.
Twenty-seven Victorian cities hosted runs, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Albury Wodonga, Horsham, Mildura and Stawell.
“It keeps growing every year,” Ms Davidson said.
“It’s great to see mums getting out of bed early and forgoing Mother’s Day breakfast in bed to take part.”
Thousands hit the streets around the Botanical Gardens. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
The Mother’s Day Classic is the largest single donor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, with donations supporting a range of research projects including enhanced detection, improved treatment options and physical and emotional support for women with breast cancer.
Participants run along the Botanical Gardens during the Mother's Day Classic. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
Pink was a favourite theme during the Mother's Day Classic. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
Great to see people enjoying themselves during the Mother's Day Classic. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
Just a small section of the huge crowds during the Mother's Day Classic. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia
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