The Ireland Funds Remote Global 5k 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us apart, The Ireland Funds Australia once again held our Global 5k remotely in 2021 allowing us to connect and be together in a truly unique and global way.
We encouraged participants from all around Australia and globally to join us again this year, runners and walkers, young and old alike, by downloading our SportSplits tracker app to practice and receive tips and tricks in the lead up to the run.
2021 was special as Caroline McDonald of Outright Change Fitness got everyone ready for the run by leading us through a series of Run Club and Stretch & Move classes to help us on the big day. We also had messages of support from our G5K Ambassadors such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Tadhg Kennelly, The Shamrock Rovers, Sydney Swans’ Barry O’Connor, ABC Sports Journalist Catherine Murphy and more who encouraged everyone to join us this year.
Saturday 18 September arrived and 277 participants recorded their run on a 5km course of their choosing, their times being tracked via our SportSplits tracker app. It was truly a unique experience to watch runners from across Australia, Dublin, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto and the United States complete their runs and compare their times to others across Australia and the world.
Australia’s fastest male runner was Enda Stankard with a blistering time of 16.57 and our fastest female runner was Geraldine Campbell, with a time of 19.58, which is the third year in a row that Geraldine has taken out the top prize! Both winners will receive a $250 voucher thanks to Brooks Running.
As a personal tribute to the late and much loved former Chair of The Ireland Funds Australia Sydney Young Leaders, Andrea (Penny) McElhinney, our perpetual trophy in Andrea’s honour will be awarded to the second fastest female, which this year was Belinda Soszyn, who will also receive a True Protein prize pack.
Running Results
Whilst we could not be together as normal, our participants helped us showcase Australia by making memories and sharing images of their run with some iconic locations, COVID safe duos and cute and cuddly helpers.
Two of our best photos were rewarded with a Gourmet Hamper from Taste Ireland (Alan Brint and Dawid Augustynowicz).
Our favourite finishers received a fresh Grazey Gal box (Caroline Duffy) and a hamper of goodies from Clonakilty (Niall Kelly).
Our furry friends were not forgotten, as we had 3 vouchers from DOGUE up for grabs. It was a tough competition but the winners were David Eccles, Adrian Hanley and the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Team with their dogs.
Supported Projects
The Ireland Funds Australia are committed to supporting projects of impact in Ireland and Australia and given everything that is happening around the world, for this year’s Global 5k, The Ireland Funds Australia are thrilled that funds raised from the 2021 Global 5k will once again be supporting Beyond Blue in Australia. Globally for the first time The Ireland Funds are also committing some of the funds raised to support one project, and we are delighted that this year it is Special Olympics.
Beyond Blue‘s vision is for everyone in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health. Beyond Blue are breaking down the stigma, prejudice and discrimination that act as barriers to people reaching out for support. Anxiety and depression can be managed, suicide can be prevented. That’s why Beyond Blue are there.
Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success.
Thanks to you and your fundraising, we raised over $32,000!
Supporters
The 2021 Global 5k would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors including Lifestyle Solutions, The Lansdowne Club, Glen Dimplex, CoreLogic, FINEOS, MCG Civil, Taste Ireland, O’Neills, Brooks Running, Clonakilty, Dogue, Grazey Gal, Outright Change Fitness, Multisport and True Protein.
On behalf of our committee, we wish to thank all who participated in this year’s run or supported those fundraising for the event. Everyone helped make the 2021 run another truly Global 5k! #YLGlobal5k
