ULTRA MARATHON RUNNER PAT FARMER ANNOUNCED AS AMBASSADOR FOR THE 2024 MCGRATH WOLLONGONG RUNNING FESTIVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 19 APRIL 2024

Participants of this year’s McGrath Wollongong Running Festival will have the chance to be cheered on by professional ultra marathon runner, humanitarian and Order of Australia recipient Pat Farmer. Pat’s presence at the event will encourage runners outside of the Illawarra to run on Sunday 2 June and will help raise funds for Lifeline South Coast.

Wollongong, NSW: The 2024 McGrath Wollongong Running Festival has announced its second ambassador, ultra marathon runner Pat Farmer. Pat will be supporting runners in the Half Marathon event and his attendance will spur on runners to reach their goals. 

Pat has accomplished some absolutely incredible running achievements. In 1999, he established the record run time around Australia of 191 days and 10 minutes. He covered over 14,662.4km during this Centenary of Federation run journey. In 2011/12 he ran over 20,000km from the North Pole to the South Pole, via the Americas in 10 months and 13 days, averaging 80km a day. To this day, he is ranked third in the world for 1,000 miles on a track.

In addition to his running achievements, Pat has been awarded the high honour of the Order of Australia, AM for his contribution to ultra marathon running, politics and charitable works. He has raised millions of dollars for causes during his 30-year running career, some of which include Lifeline, Cancer Council, The Red Cross and Diabetes Australia. 

Pat’s existing partnership with Lifeline closely aligns with McGrath Wollongong Running Festival’s charity sponsor Lifeline South Coast. Pat strongly believes in the wonderful work Lifeline South Coast provides for helping support people in crisis. 

“I run long distances to raise awareness on issues close to my heart. When I run, people from all walks of life run with me. I hope I can inspire people in Wollongong to contribute to Lifeline South Coast and the vital suicide prevention services they provide. Together, we can achieve so much, simply by putting one foot in front of the other.” 

Angela Saville, Race Owner, said that Pat Farmer will be an inspiration for runners on event day. 

“Pat is known across the country for his fearless commitment to running, and his unstoppable nature will be contagious for the other runners on the day. Having the opportunity to meet Pat will be an unmissable experience for our runners,” she said. 

The opportunity to #RunWithPat at the McGrath Wollongong Running Festival will encourage out-of-area runners to travel to Wollongong for the event and bring awareness to the life-saving services provided by Lifeline South Coast.

Register here: https://www.onlineentry.com.au/WollongongRF_2024.aspx 

For more information about the event, download our Press Release Pack here.

For media enquiries, please contact Kara Agostinho via phone on 0448 181 107, or via email at kara.agostinho@provum.com