RunRona 2020 | Virtual Run Walk Event
Welcome to RunRona: A Virtual Run Walk Event!
30th & 31st May 2020
Run cancelled?
Race day postponed?
Really missing your closed gym?
Ready to get some routine back and take control of something?
We hear you and RunRona has got you covered!
With absolutely everything up in the air right now, having a goal to keep us focused and active has never been so important. Let’s control the controllable and continue or start to kick our health and well-being goals. Looking after our physical, emotional and spiritual health right now is a huge protective factor in staying well.Sign up for RunRona and let’s get the motivation (Rona-vation?!) back on track together, virtually!
100% of profit fundraised from entry fees supports grassroots Health Promotion programs in Aboriginal Communities through the work of Spark Health.
We RunRona...Rona doesn’t run us!
The Important Stuff - All you need to know about ...
Pick your distance.
Get active on event weekend, wherever you like!
Complete your run or walk whenever it suits you on either Sat 30 or Sun31 May 2020 anywhere you like! Enjoy your run or walk on a course of your choosing.
RunRona is completely virtual! This means you can run any time, any where on event weekend…anywhere around the world!
Get Rewarded
Lookout, your new medal to add to the 'I did a thing!' collection will be posted to you after the event. The RunRona medal has been designed by Gunditjmara artist, Laura Thompson. Actual pics of the medals coming soon, but for now check this out...
The RunRona medal artwork uses traditional Aboriginal symbols (the U shapes) to show people coming together from all over Australia for a virtual run. The dots placed in-between the people symbols are spread out to represent how important physical distancing is at this time in history, whist we fight Covid-19.
This medal is a memento of how you continued to stay physically active and prioritised your health during uncertain times. It will remind you we kept our distance physically but, not socially and together we RanRona.
The organising team behind RunRona is made up of a collective of Aboriginal Health Promotion practitioners, Personal Trainers and communication gurus from Clothing The Gap and Spark Health Australia. The team are seriously concerned about the rising levels of inactivity, obesity and mental ill health in our communities and we know the difference social connection, physical activity and a positive routine can make.
With the COVID-19 situation unfolding rapidly in Australia, we are abiding by the advice from relevant health authorities and staying up to date with the latest information. The health and safety of our participants will always remain our highest priority. You can stay informed with COVID-19 national updates by clicking here.
The RunRona team echo the concerns from health promotion peak bodies such as VicHealth for the rising inactivity levels gripping the country. We too are deeply concerned about the effects this physical inactivity will have on our communities long term while many seem to be bunkering down on the couch with Netflix amidst COVID-19. Hear more on how exercise can help during COVID-19 from VicHealth CEO, Sandro Demaio. Don't get us wrong, staying at home is important right now, but so is staying physically active.
Social distancing is actually physical distancing; it does not mean 'social' isolation. The RunRona team refer to 'social distancing' as 'physical distancing', as we're aiming to stay as socially connected as possible.
Throughout the current situation, looking after our mental health is really important as it can be left more vulnerable than usual. Keeping up our social support helps to boost mental health and is also connected to our physical health. Getting some time outdoors safely and connecting to the land, Country, does wonders for our well-being too. Body, mind, spirit and Country...it’s all connected, Aboriginal people have known this for tens of thousands of years.
Run Safe
We’re all distance runners and walkers now! Why? Coz we’re keeping our distance of course!
Maintaining at least 1.5 meters of space between ourselves and other people is important to keep ourselves and those around us safe. When getting out the door to train for RunRona, aim for less crowded spaces, less busy times of the day and stay local to your home.
Run solo or in pairs and maintain the required physical spacing, including while passing other walkers/runners/cyclists. As soon as you return home, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Run Well
If you’re well and haven't been asked to self-isolate, currently there’s no reason why you can’t get out and get moving. Remember to keep to at least 1.5m away from others to uphold physical distancing requirements. However, if you are not feeling well, stay inside and refer to medical advice.
Run Relaxed
This training probably isn’t going to look like any other training you’ve completed for a fun run or walk in the past. You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable along the way. While you’re training, you may need to slow right down, or even stop, to pass other people to ensure you’re maintaining your 1.5m spacing. And that’s ok! RunRona is all about keeping everyone well and active in these strange times. Keep your cool, smile, say hello and move on when it is safe to do so. We’re all in this together.
Run ‘Together’
Use #RunRona to connect on your socials.
Let’s stay physically distant but socially connected through all the technology!
Join our Strava Run Club to join our new online active community to log your training and virtually cheer each other on. You’ll also find our RunRona events on Strava to log your run over the event weekend.
We trust you! But, if you want to share your run with us and the community we would love that too! Share your experiences by using #RunRona both on event day and while you train. Take a selfie and tag #ClothingTheGap #RunRona so we can cheer you on.
Staying socially connected is so important in looking after your mental health. The World Health Organisation listed staying social and physically active as key factors in managing stress during a pandemic. You can read more about that here.
Register Smart
New to this extra movement business? Be smart about the event you choose to participate in during RunRona. If it's been a while since you've been physically active or if you have any injuries or underlying health conditions, chat to your GP about what this looks like for you (how great is a phone call with your doctor these days!?).
Right now the most important thing is that you're getting some movement in your day, pick the event distance that feels right for you. We have walk and run options for the 5 km and 10 km distances, so please register smart.
Encourage the people in your house to get moving with you! You're all probably spending a lot of time together at the moment so rope them in to be your workout buddies too!
Run Fresh
We get it. We love a fresh run outfit! So, to say thank you for signing up, we will email you a discount code for merchandise.
Check out the Clothing The Gap active wear range to level up your training kit and get you motivated.
Our 'Always Was' Sweat Towel is one of our favourite pieces that pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over the country.
Or maybe you're after a new singlet? Just saying, check these out...
Help us spread the word in your Community and we will be forever grateful by sharing our socials and putting a poster up in your home town.
Image: Downloadable RunRona Event Poster
FAQs
Q. What do the profits from the run go to?
A. 100% profits from RunRona proudly support grass roots Aboriginal health promotion programs and activities run by Spark Health and subsidise enteries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this event. You can see the work Spark Health does here: www.sparkhealth.com.au
Q. Do you have a discount code for mob (people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander descent)?
A. We sure do!
For Indigenous people doing this run/walk please use the registration code: WELLAHTOGETHER at checkout for 50% off your RunRona registration fee.
The team at ‘Clothing The Gap’ are ultimately working towards to closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. One way we can do this is by, increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and Communities in events such as this because we know increasing levels of physical activity can help reduce people dying earlier from chronic disease.
Allies and supporters, we trust you. We know that this code will be used by the Indigenous Community to ensure equitable access to RunRona. We trust that those that can, will pay for their entry and will respect the code not misuse it. Just like we’re trusting that you’ll do your run or walk, when you say you will 😊.
Q. Why are you doing this?
A. Great question! As Aboriginal Health Promotion Practitioners running a fashion label, we work on a grass roots level to encourage positive health and well-being, including getting and staying active. Seeing people achieve their daily recommended 60 minutes of activity for kids and 30 minutes for adults during the COVID-19 pandemic is our goal. RunRona is giving us all something to train for when everything else is cancelled and closed. We know the power of having a goal to keep us on track!
Ultimately, we are passionate about equity and health equity in Australia is one of the most inequitable in the world. COVID-19 has its challenges for all individuals, but those that face the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community are significantly greater. Fundraising from RunRona will subsidise entry for Indigenous people in this event and support the health promotion work of Spark Health Australia to continue to share free access to health and well-being activities for Aboriginal Communities.
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Info graphic updated on: 20/04/20
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