Mother and son, Christie and Mitchell of Buderim lined up at Noosa Main Beach at 4am last Friday to make sure they could don the first and second race numbers when they joined more than 1500 runners taking part in the ASICS Noosa Breakfast Fun Run.
They were hard to miss in their pink inflatable flamingos, the costumes inspired by Mitchell.
Christie said since she had surgery for breast cancer two months ago her son was determined to do something to help her recovery.
The pair were among runners who took on the 5km course in fancy dress in every shade of pink to support the McGrath Foundation and its work through its McGrath Breast Care Nurses, a number of them taking part in the run.
Every school in the Noosa region was represented at the race as well as some notable athletes including four-time Olympic marathon runner Steve Moneghetti and Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath who set up the foundation with his former wife Jane before she passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
“It’s incredible to see Noosa in a sea of pink,” Glenn said at the start of the race. “The support for the Foundation has been absolutely incredible, without events like this we can’t do what we do, I see it everyday, people coming out, making an effort, raising money, doing something special and supporting a cause like the McGrath Foundation makes me very proud.
“I moved up to the area nearly 12 months ago and I want to get in and support the local community, and this is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, triathlon events in the world.”
Bondi lifeguard Anthony Carroll, known as Harries, warmed up the participants with a few stretches before the hooter sounded and the crowd took off.
First across the line together were athletes Adam Gordon and Paddy McNamara followed soon after by 12-year-old Walter. Walter said he tried to keep up with the leaders but they “got a bit in front” on the soft sand on the last leg of the race. The men donated their winning gift voucher to Walter for his efforts.
The IRONMAN Group Oceania managing director Geoff Meyer said it was great to be able to support the incredible work that the McGrath Foundation does and great to see so many people embrace the theme of the morning and get involved.
For more information on the Noosa Triathlon visit noosatri.com.au/
