Spectators are going to witness an awesome sight this Sunday when hundreds of little superheroes and their families all band together for the biggest-yet McDonald’s® Townsville Running Festival Hero Run.
“Not only does it help to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House and our kindergarten, but it also gets the children involved in helping others, working together as a team and being a part of the community” – Kylie Patterson
St Anthony’s Kindergarten has used this fun-filled 2.5km run/walk/skip/jump/bottom shuffle as a way to get 50 of its four and five-year-olds active, plus their parents, while fundraising for the school and generating valuable dollars for Ronald McDonald House.
Captain Active having lots of awesome active fun with his troupe of mini superheroes.
Kindy educator Kylie Patterson has been driving the initiative, with the kids spurred on with regular visits by resident superhero Captain Active. We caught up with Kylie to find out how they are all feeling in the lead-up to the big event, with the popular teacher recently discovering fitness herself and losing 65kg. Woot!
How excited have the kids been about the Hero Run? All of the children are very excited! They are really looking forward to dressing up like superheroes and having fun with friends and family to support and raise money for sick children.
The children can’t wait for Sunday.
What do you like about the 2.5km event? Not only does it help to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House and our kindergarten, but it also gets the children involved in helping others, working together as a team and being a part of the community. We have raised enough money now for our end-of-year celebration and concert to go ahead, which is very exciting!
Are you doing the run yourself? Yes, I’m doing the Hero Run this year with the children and can’t wait to dress up and have some fun — this will be my first year getting involved with the Townsville Running Festival. Next year I would like to do the Hero Run again, but also take it up a notch by entering myself into the 5km or 10km run.
Captain Active running rings with kindy educator (AKA Superwoman) Kylie Patterson.
What do you think spectators and runners will make of your large group of little heroes? All of the staff and parents are going to dress up too so we should all look awesome. I think everyone will be so proud of all of us and cheer us on!
The heroic group that helped to raise funds for St Anthony’s and Ronald McDonald House.
How do you usually stay active? I go to the gym and also have a personal trainer. I am slowly gaining my fitness and confidence to join in group sports and community events like this one. I have struggled my entire life with weight and fitness and I’m finally getting on top of it all since losing over 65kg. I want to help anyone I can to keep healthy and active, and encourage children from a young age to make the right food choices to fuel their little bodies and also understand the difference between good and bad foods. At the kindergarten we encourage healthy eating and help children to make the right choices such as ‘fruit first’ at morning tea. We also play a lot of different sports and do a lot of active games together.
Hands up for activity!
What would you say to other parents who are thinking about signing up? I would encourage all parents and families to join the Hero Run to show their children an easy, fun way to get active and help support others in so many different ways.
Last words? The Hero Run is sending a great message to children in numerous ways. One child recently said, “I want to do it to get fit and help sick kids”. Plus all the children are looking forward to seeing Captain Active again!
An adorable little Batman on his getaway vehicle.
Get involved
Register for the 2.5km Hero Run before midnight tonight (Wednesday, July 29) here: www.townsvillerunningfestival.com, or last minute in-person on Saturday at Jezzine Barracks between 11am and 4pm. There have been a record number of entries this year, with 2,500 online to-date, plus another 300+ expected on Saturday. The atmosphere is going to be electric!
The Townsville Running Festival is a locally organised and run event, with $5 from every individual registration going directly to Ronald McDonald House — a home-away-from-home for seriously ill children and their families.
