World First: Run 4 Reef - Simultaneous Running Event Launches

This October, Australia and New Zealand will welcome the world’s first simultaneous running event, bringing more than 100,000 runners together with a single mission of running as one in the name of helping protect the Great Barrier Reef. The inaugural run4reef international event will span 21 cities across the two countries, leveraging world-leading timing technology to unite thousands of runners of all abilities across 1km, 5km and 10km fun runs, and a special elite 10km run.

Runners from cities from both sides of the ditch will also be connected through large format digital screens located onsite at all the running events, streaming a simultaneous race updates and live-cross vision from all events – helping runners from all over feel part of a global mission. Event registrations will raise much-needed funds to help protect the Reef, including developing restoration programs like the innovative ‘plant a coral’ initiative.

The international event stems from humble beginnings which run4reef Race Director and Olympian Steve Moneghetti said played a big role in the vision today. “Running has been the fastest growing recreation in the last 10 years, mostly because it’s so simple. The sport has always had a simple formula of a person and their pair of runners and within this simplicity, we saw the potential to add in an action, a global climate action.

The events are supported by internationally acclaimed marine scientist and leading authority on coral reef science and conservation, Great Barrier Reef Foundation Chief Scientist Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg who said the Reef needs action now. “The science has been clear for a long time – climate change is the number one threat to the Great Barrier Reef,” Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said. “Acting to reduce global emissions to zero over the coming decade is an absolute imperative.” He went on to emphasize that there is no other way to call it, the future of the Great Barrier Reef is now on a knife-edge. “Developing technologies for strategically reseeding damaged reef systems is a must as we also rapidly stabilize the climate. Not acting is not an option, we must act now to save the Great Barrier Reef as a bastion of Australia’s biodiversity and economic opportunity. The event also promises to be plastic-free without major banners and handouts. run4reef events will take place on Sunday 16th October 2022 across Adelaide, Ballarat, Bendigo, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Central Coast, Darwin, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Moreton Bay, Newcastle, Sydney, Perth, Thursday Island, Townsville across Australia, and Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand. The inaugural event has attracted significant global corporate support headlined by evdirect.com (EV Direct) who have signed on as the run4reef Principal Partner.