Accessibility
Thursday, July 18, 2024

Casino Fun Run Ambassador Bundjalung/Wakka Wakka woman Eileen Byers

By
By
Katie Kelly OAM PLY
Founder

The 11th Casino Fun Run is more accessible and inclusive than ever to welcome participants of all ages and abilities

·       Co-founders Olympian Scott Westcott and Paralympian Katie Kelly first established the Casino Fun Run in 2013 to bring professional fun runs to country areas that often missed out

·       The Northern Rivers participation is increasing in numbers each year as the event attracts runners from across the region

·       Today the Casino Fun Run organisers have taken the Co-Founders’ goals a step further, and are on track to make the Casino Fun Run Australia’s most inclusive country fun run

·        New in 2024 - fully accessible courses and an ‘all-abilities’ race category

·       New York Marathon runner Eileen Byers joins as Casino Fun Run Ambassador

·       Secured Achieve Australia as the new Naming Rights Partner of the Fun Run

The Achieve Australia Casino Fun Run kicks off on Sunday, 15 September 2024 at 8AM from Queen Elizabeth Park. You can take part as a competitive runner or have fun and walk, jump, or stroll the course along Casino’s streets.

“This year, the Fun Run is more accessible than ever,” Katie Kelly OAM PLY explains. “People of all ages and abilities can choose from the 2km, 5km, 10km, and enter the new ‘all-abilities’ race category.”

Accessibility features for 2024 include

Our courses are designed to be fully accessible, with flat streets and temporary tiles over grassy areas to make it easy for wheelchairs and prams. We also have an ‘all abilities’ race category, where you can compete for time against others in the same category,” Katie said.

“Our mission is to help people of all ages and abilities have fun and get into sport, especially kids. It’s a great confidence booster and brings the community together. Whether you have a walking frame, a child in a stroller, use a motorised wheelchair or roll with a wheelchair, you can get involved and make it your own race, run, stroll, roll or walk!!” she said.

We’re also excited to bring back the challenge for our teachers and students. There’s a trophy for the Primary school with the most participants in the 2km and trophies for the Primary and Secondary schools in the 5km. The three fastest male and female students in both events will win gold, silver, and bronze medals. Plus, there’s a trophy for the fastest teacher. Don’t forget to enter your school when you register.

Casino Fun Run team and supporters

Casino Fun Run co-founders Katie Kelly and Scott Westcott OLY want to bring more sporting events to regional and country areas. They are grateful for the current organisers including Fun Run organiser Peta Moloney, Casino Little Athletics NSW and the Richmond Valley Council for continuing to grow this Fun Run to include the whole community.

Katie, born in Casino, is a two-time Paralympian who won Gold in the Paratriathlon at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and Scott, born in Parkes, ran the Marathon at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Bundjalung/Wakka Wakka woman and mentor, Eileen Byers is this year’s Casino Fun Run Ambassador. Eileen was one of 12 Indigenous athletes representing Australia in the 2015 New York Marathon. She has trained with former Olympian Robert De Castella as a graduate of the Indigenous Marathon Project, which uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement. A mum of four, Eileen encourages other mums from her community and elsewhere to take part in the Casino Fun Run.


Supporters and sponsors

Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow is encouraging residents and visitors to take part in this year’s Casino Fun Run.

“I have participated in previous fun runs, as well as the Casino Park Run, so I can attest to the opportunities they provide for community members to connect and get fit in an enjoyable environment,” Cr Mustow said.

“I encourage everyone across the Richmond Valley and beyond to enter and be part of this special day, which includes an easy-going, picturesque course.”

The event partners and organisers, including the Sport Access Foundation and naming sponsor Achieve Australia, are committed to making the Achieve Australia Casino Fun Run as inclusive as possible. Achieve Australia, a registered NDIS service provider, offers disability services in the Northern Rivers and Sydney, including accommodation, community engagement, and disability employment.

A big thank you to other Casino Fun Run partners and sponsors including the Casino RSM Club 10km sponsor, Lismore MG 5km sponsors, Parker & Kissane Solicitors 2km sponsor, volunteer partners Casino Fitness and Lions Club and the Fun Run’s charity partner Sport Access Foundation.

To register

Visit casinofunrun.com to sign up and be part of this all-inclusive Fun Run event.

Photo description: Includes two young girls holding hands as they walk through the Casino Fun Run 2km event.

Main story photo description: Includes about 10 people including Sponsors, Mayor of Casino, Eileen Byers Ambassador of Casino Fun Run and Katie Kelly Founder of Sport Access Foundation all facing Camera at the start of the Run track at the Fun Run Media Launch.

Available for interview:

Katie Kelly, 2x Paralympian, Diversity & Inclusion Advocate and Founder of the Sport Access Foundation.
Achieve Australia, CEO Jo-Anne Hewitt
Casino Fun Run Organiser, Peta Moloney

For interview bookings, please contact Cristina Barancik, Marketing and Communications Partner at Achieve Australia, 0493 020 069, cbarancik@achieveaustralia.org.au.

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