Entries for the Seven Sunshine Coast Marathon and Community Run Festival have opened, with the event taking place later this year, from August 19th to the 21st. This year, the charity event aims to raise in excess of $250,000, bringing its total funds raised to $1,000,000 for charity and community groups in the 5 years of its operation.

Originally, the event was the vision of three friends who loved running and wanted to give back to a cause close to their hearts. The event now aspires to become the largest fundraising marathon event in Australia. Entrants can run as an individual, a school team, a community group, a workplace crew or just a running group – whatever the format, wherever you travel from, the end goal is the same – challenge yourself, have fun and find your reason to run. Entries are open to runners as young as 4 years of age and of any level of fitness – so anyone can chip in and do their dash for charity.

The money raised by this fantastic charity initiative has been distributed among 70 incredible charitable organisations that work within our communities to help those seriously in need. Chief among these organisations is the massive Ronald McDonald House (SEQ) and the Westpac Foundation.

Ronald McDonald House: Ronald McDonald House SEQ provides accommodation for the families of seriously ill children who live more than 50km from the treating hospital in Brisbane. Ronald McDonald Houses help to preserve the family unit in the midst of physical, emotional and financial stress, also giving parents the chance to draw hope and comfort from other families in similar situations, while being supported by dedicated and friendly staff and volunteers.

Westpac Foundation: At Westpac Foundation, our vision is to open doors to a brighter future for more Australians. We support not-for-profit organisations taking a fresh approach to addressing social problems, borrowing the best from business to create more opportunity for Australia’s most disadvantaged. In 2015, the Foundation has given local community organisations with great ideas for social change $870,000 worth of grants through the Westpac Foundation Community Grants program. In addition, the Foundation has given a further $1.5 million in 2015 to help nurture and grow innovative social enterprises that tackle tough social issues. Since 1999, the Foundation has granted more than $28 million to more than 200 social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.

Early bird discounts for entrants have begun and teams are starting to form. For the charitable bunch the time has come to get the lead out and start fund-raising and training to do some good in the world. For more information on the event, booking your place and the organisations the event supports, visit the Seven Sunshine Coast Marathon website.