On Sunday 16 August, a group of us pinned on race bibs and gathered under the fig trees at New Farm Park for Run2Cure Neuroblastoma. Clear sky, cold start, and the Brisbane River sitting right alongside the course. The Brokerage and Friends were on the start line.
Run2Cure is Neuroblastoma Australia’s largest fundraising event of the year, and the Brisbane run follows the river out of New Farm Park. There is a half marathon, a 10km, a 5km run or walk, a 3km, and a 1km Little Heroes Walk for the families, which is exactly as good as it sounds.
A team, a few friends and a dog
Our group spread itself across the distances. Some took on the 10km along the river path, others ran or walked the 5km, and the youngest members of the team handled the shorter courses at a pace that made the rest of us look like we were standing still. Brokers, analysts, partners, kids, friends, and one four-legged supporter who came strictly for the atmosphere.
There were finisher medals, a fair amount of stretching that probably should have happened beforehand, and coffee on the grass afterwards.
Why this one matters
Neuroblastoma is a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. It is the most common cause of cancer death in children under five, and around half of the children diagnosed will not survive it. Every entry and every donation on the day goes towards the research working to lift that number.
Near the marquees, Neuroblastoma Australia sets up a tribute board. It carries photographs and messages for the children this event exists for, some still in treatment, some who are no longer here. It takes the noise out of the morning for a few minutes, and it is the reason the whole thing is worth doing.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, donated or simply turned up to cheer, and to Neuroblastoma Australia and the Run2Cure crew for putting on a morning that manages to be a serious fundraiser and a genuinely good day out at the same time.
Run2Cure is one of the causes The Brokerage supports through the year. You can read about the others on our Our Charities page, and you can find out more about the research your entry funds at run2cure.org.au.