Sydney turned pink on Sunday as thousands braved a rainy day for the country’s largest charity fun run for breast and ovarian cancer research: the Mother’s Day Classic.
Umbrellas, raincoats and jumpers mixed with stark splashes of bright pink colour as the runners and walkers made their way through the course.
Some participants even sported pink tutus and wigs to get into the spirit of the day, which saw some 80,000 Australians turn up for the event nationwide.
Over the last 27 years, 1.6 million participants have taken part in the Mother’s Day Classic, donating more than $44m for vital breast cancer research to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The 2024 iteration added the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) as a second beneficiary to the funds raised on the day.
Mother’s Day Classic CEO Zara Lawless said the day had exceeded her expectations and the beloved charity day was on track to “smash” 2023’s $2.5m donation figure.
“We are thrilled to have a strong turnout of 80,000 people at our 75 events nationwide and appreciate everyone who has come out today to participate, volunteer or donate in support of breast and ovarian cancer research,” she said.
“The Mother’s Day Classic Foundation is committed to funding the research that will stop breast and ovarian cancer in their tracks. Research is the gift that one generation gives to the next and our community today has been part of something that is bigger than themselves.
“In 2023, the Mother’s Day Classic donated $2.5m to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and we are well on our way to smash that this year.
“It truly is inspiring to see the community unite with an overwhelming feeling of strength, joy, hope and togetherness.
“Mother’s Day can be an extremely challenging day for some people for many different reasons, including those that have lost loved ones and those that are facing or have been through a life-threatening diagnosis.
“The Mother’s Day Classic provides a way for our community to stand stronger together and for people to realise that they are not alone.”