LIVIN is hitting the ground running this year with mental health awareness for 2021 after being announced as an official charity partner for the 2021 Village Roadshow Gold Coast Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon.
"We are excited to be a part of this fantastic event and the awesome atmosphere of the Gold Coast Marathon weekend." Said LIVIN CEO, Casey Lyons. "LIVIN is honoured to be named as one of the official charity partners for this years event as we know a lot of our supporters will be a part of it with physical fitness being such an important part of mental health for so many."
While the Gold Coast Marathon is back on track (literally) after having to change shape in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year there are a few more options for participants to choose from and lots more ways for people to get involved both on and outside of the Gold Coast.
The 2021 Village Roadshow Gold Coast Marathon have added some 'new' races to the mix which are already receiving a fantastic response, including from LIVIN's co-founder Sam Webb who will running in the Gold Coast Virtual Marathon from his home in L.A. "It's fantastic to have the opportunity to get involved and support such a great event even though I can't physically be there on the day." Said Sam. "I'll be running with everyone in spirit!"
The Gold Coast Virtual Marathon was initially introduced in 2020 as an avenue for participants to still be involved with the event when the physical on track race was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"What 2020 showed us was that our supporters and stakeholders love being a part of the event and a pandemic wasn't going to stop them!" Said CEO of Events Management Queensland, Cameron Hart. "The decision to maintain a virtual option in 2021 was due to the success of the 2020 virtual event and we understand that many of our participants still may not be able to physically attend the event on the Gold Coast due financial, health or other reasons so it made sense to continue with having it as an option this year."
Another addition to the race calendar and another way for the more extreme runners to get involved to support the cause is the Gold Coast Double 63.3 kilometre event held over both days of the marathon weekend and in which LIVIN legend Jake Malby has jumped at the opportunity to be involved!
"I'm a long distance runner and have competed in a lot of ultra events so when I heard about this new option combining both the half and full marathon, I signed up straight away!" Said Jake who is also training for another incredible fundraising initiative for LIVIN later in the year.
But we don't expect everyone to be as willing and able as Jake to run over 63 kilometres! Just being a part of this event and being a part of Team LIVIN whether it's the Junior Dash, 5km run or the full marathon is all helping us to build an awareness within the community of LIVIN and our message that It Ain't Weak to Speak.
We encourage everyone to get involved no matter your age or your ability. The atmosphere of race weekend is something that we should all experience at least once to be reminded how great it is for our mental health - not just our physical health - in being a part of such a positive community event with LIVIN as an official charity partner.
"We are thrilled to have LIVIN onboard in an official capacity to help raise much needed funds to support the work they do in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health." Said Cameron Hart. "Many of the participants over the race weekend have actually taken up running or set themselves a running goal to improve their mental health, so naturally this partnership with LIVIN makes sense."
Click here if you would like to enter the 2021 Village Gold Coast Marathon and don't forget to join Team LIVIN in your registration so we can flood the streets of the Gold Coast with It Ain't Weak to Speak!
