JACK HOLT
Holy fundraiser, Batman! Fans of Gotham City’s finest are getting ready to run through the streets of Brisbane on September 21 dressed as the caped crusader for the DC Batman Run Series, to celebrate Batman’s 80th birthday and raise money for charity.
The event, which will commence at 5pm in front of Brisbane’s very own “Gotham Tower” (the State Law Building), is a five-kilometre fun run created to celebrate 80 years of Batman, with funds raised going to Cancer Council Queensland.
The run is a part of a series of Batman-themed events that will take place in locations around the world, including Los Angeles, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok, Sao Paolo and Mexico City.
People who take part in the DC Batman Run have the opportunity to raise money for Cancer Council Queensland, either via one-off donations when entering, or by being sponsored to run the race.
DC Batman Run Series Australia director Rebecca Harwood said the partnership with Cancer Council Queensland was for a great cause.
“Cancer Council Queensland are an amazing charity and as Batman is the world’s number one superhero, we want people to be superheroes and help out this amazing charity,” Ms Harwood said.
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan said the event was a great chance for people to raise funds for “life-saving work in cancer research, prevention and support”.
“We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of this exciting event and thank Event Management Solutions for their support,” Ms McMillan said.
“Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes of all time, and Brisbane locals have the opportunity to be a real-life hero by getting involved,” she said.
Event participants will receive a Batman themed race kit including a limited-edition finishers’ medal, a limited-edition t-shirt, a race bib, professional race photos and access to the post-race BAT-Party.
The event also offers a “virtual run” for people who can’t attend the event, with participants, who also receive a race kit, given the opportunity to register online to run the five kilometres in their own time.
Race director Ian Hartwood explained that the idea for the virtual run came from events around the world.
“That’s something we’ve taken on from other areas around the world, as not everyone can be in Brisbane,” Mr Hartwood said.
“We’ve said go and run your five kilometres wherever you may be, [including] Melbourne, Perth and Bendigo,” he said.
“We’ll send you your t-shirt and your medal and you can feel like you’re part of the Batman community.”
The race will finish at the Brisbane Maritime Museum, which will play host to a Batman themed afterparty complete with confectionary stalls and a DJ.
Batman fans that would like to get involved in the event but who don’t want to don a cape and run themselves can still take part.
Event organisers are looking for concerned citizens to help protect the streets of Gotham by volunteering to help on the day of the run.
Volunteers will all receive their own batman t-shirt.
General entry to participate in the event is $59 for adults and $25 for participants aged 16 and under.
For more information visit the DC Batman Run Australia’s website or visit the Cancer Council Queensland event page.