Over forty Mackay Road Runners and supporters joined in for the grand finale of the 2023/2024 Shawn’s Summer Social Series with the usual 5km and 10km options. The event’s namesake, Shawn Claydon who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2018 had his family in support of the annual social series where funds are donated to Pancare at the end of the series.
Among the many outstanding participants, we had: Alana Knezevic, Jose Short, Glynis Forse, Julie Whibley, Jo Skinner, Lily Leven, Paul Mackenzie, Luke Leven, John Rae, Tim Dalton, Darrin Pullen, Andrew Short, Andrew Wallace, Simon Henderson, Leanne Coulthard, Carmel Mahon and Todd Turner who performed great despite the humid and sticky conditions.
Many thanks to Club Patron, Col Meng OAM who donated Zooper Doopers throughout the entire series, much to the delight, we believe it was the one thing that got runners to the line! Check out the weekly 2024 calendar that runs from February to October with a variety of distances, running surfaces and venues to suit, on Facebook or our website.
This Sunday the 11th is the start of the formal 2024 Mackay Road Runners Club season with a social 5km run commencing from the Gooseponds dog park carpark. Earlier in the day the Club will be represented by members who are volunteering at the annual Jet Group Sports and Recreation Expo held at the Mackay Entertainment Centre from 9am to 1pm. Come along and check us out!
Contributed by Janelle Tilse
New incoming President for the 2024 Mackay Road Runners Club, Brendan Bishop (right) with his children Millie and Hughie.
Shawn Claydon’s family supporting the grand finale of the Shawn’s Summer Social Series for the 2023/2024 program (left to right) Shawn’s Nephew Lincoln, Shawn’s sister and brother in law Sharon and Jeff Stewart-Harris and Shawn’s parents, Bonny and John Claydon (seated)
Race Director and Mackay Road Runners Club Captain (2nd right) with his volunteers (left to right) Janelle Tilse, Alana Kenzevic, Julie Whibley, Jim and Andrew Short.
Harvey Knezevic, Vivien Knezevic and Henry Evetts receive their most consistent awards with Race Director Jim Ford
John Rae has been in fine form throughout the Shawn’s Summer Social Series.