The Busselton Runners Club announced this week that Olympic sprinter Melinda Gainsford-Taylor will be their event ambassador for the annual Busselton Half Marathon and Fun Run on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Gainsford-Taylor will be in Busselton for a couple of days to participate in the event and will also be a guest speaker at a special dinner on the Saturday evening after the run.
Gainsford-Taylor is arguably Australia’s greatest female sprinters of all time.
Gainsford-Taylor said that she was looking forward to being the Ambassador saying it was such a great event enabling regular runners to be challenged as well as providing the opportunity for the social runner and families to be active on the day.
So how did distance running become a part of Melinda’s life?
Having lost her mum to cancer in 2015, Gainsford-Taylor successfully completed her first marathon with Can Too in September of the same year.
“As someone who was used to training for events that were over in seconds, the thought of running a 42 kilometre marathon was way out of my comfort zone,” she said.
“It is important to find a program that suits your fitness level and ability.
“I was able to realise my goal of running a marathon in memory of my dear mum, while raising much needed funds for cancer research.
“It’s by far one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done,” she said.
Since then Gainsford-Taylor has taken part in several half marathons in both cases coaching (and running beside) a small group of ladies who went on to achieve their goal of finishing their first half marathon.
Busselton Runners Club promotions person Rose Williamson said that this is one of the best running events in the South West.
“Last year tickets sold out with the announcement that Steve Moneghetti was on board and we expect the same this year,” Ms Williamson said.
Registrations for the run and dinner open on Monday, October 1.
Early bird discounts are available.
Further details can be obtained by visiting the Club’s website busseltonrunnersclub.org.au.
You can also like the Busselton Half Marathon Facebook page to keep up-to-date on event details.