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That is the call of runners from The Weston Creek Athletics Club in Canberra, at any event in which their members participate. The club organises The Weston Creek Family Fun Run. The 20th anniversary of this event is to be held on Saturday November 8th 1997. Traditionally, the race started at 10.00 am to enable the finish to coincide with the start of The Weston Creek festival. However, the race now starts on the cycle track at the rear of the Irish Club in Weston. Robert De Castella was a guest starter in the early days, and his wife and brother-in-law have been involved in major placings.

The winner's list is a "who's who" of Oceania's finest distance athletes, and includes Olympians, Susan Hobson, Derek Froude, Dave Chettle and Pat Scammell and Australian representatives such as Jillian Pratten, Jim Murphy, Lyn Williams, Adair Ferguson, Steve Isbell, Krishna Stanton and Rosemary Longstaff. Local community participation and generous sponsorship combine to make the event special for those who enjoy sharing the booty. Barrel draws after the event tend to be a never ending story. One famous race in the early 1980's offered a prize to all finishers: a drink or fries voucher at the local McDonald's.

The event has been aided by many local characters, such as Weston Creek stalwart, Osmi Talka who provides drinks from his home at the 5km mark. Second Weston Creek president, and former customs jogger, Frank Murphy, has religiously called the start and finish of the event, before heading off to the Queanbeyan horse races. Each year the Weston Creek Community Centre provides equipment for the run. Weston creek trojan and life member, Ken Eynon, has tried to keep runners on course, something that has proved impossible because of the complexity of a route that passes through a majority of the district's suburbs without crossing a single road. A multitude of club members have also assisted as marshals, time-keepers, recorders, etc. Current Creek president, life member and legend, Garry Hand organised the 1978 and 1996 events. Other project leaders include Ian Johnson, Mal Bernhardt as well as former president and life members Paul Rake and Ken Sweeney.

Derek Froude a New Zealand Olympian, holds the course record set in 1982 at 21:39 for the winding 7.25 km course. Sue Gilbert won the prize for the first Weston Creek resident in the first three events. Linda Lenton has been successful in the same category on no less than four occasions, Fiona Jorgensen has cornered the women's category by winning out-right in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Only John Tuckey has emulated Derek Froude with back to back wins in 1991 and 1992. The race provides an excellent opportunity for a cross section of community groups including families, schools, clubs, junior and older veteran age groups. Local little A's have often had a day away from the track to participate en masse. 1997 marks the 20th event and Weston creek athletics club invites one and all to come and join the fun of a "good time" day out for the whole family. Be there on 8 November and enjoy.

For further information:

Enquiries to Garry Hand 6288 5584 (h) and Julie Fitch 6231 3721 (h)
Entries by 3 November 1997
Adult $5
Child $3
Family $10 (max).

Postal Enquiries to Weston Creek Athletics Club
PO Box 2764
Canberra ACT 2601.

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