The 2025 DoDay Hobart Run The Bridge has set records before this Sunday’s starting gun is fired.
In the midst of a global running boom, it will be the largest edition in the events 16 year history. 4400 entries have been received as at Friday morning. With entries remaining open until 3pm Saturday, that’s likely to increase.
“It’s a wonderful time to be in event the running industry. While Covid was extraordinarily tough for the events industry, fun runs around the world have never been more popular,” Race Director Richard Welsh said.
The most popular demographic is women in their 30’s, with women now making up 55% of fun run entrants. The event has attracted entrants from each state and territory, while participants have also made the trip from Canada, UK, Germany, France, South Africa, China, Malaysia and Belgium.
“10 years ago the typical entrant in this event was a 40 year old male from Hobart who was doing the event by themselves. Now it’s a 30 year old female who has most likely joined a team with a group of friends. We have 190 teams entered this year, ranging from schools, run clubs, gyms, sporting clubs, charities, businesses and families,” Welsh added.
For 27% of entrants, this will be their first ever fun run.
Michael Behrakis of DoDay Personal Training said it was amazing to see so many people out being active.
“We’re passionate about seeing people hit their fitness goals, whatever they may be. So partnering with the team at the DoDay Hobart Run The Bridge has enabled us to help around 400 entrants with their strength training in the lead up. They’ll be grateful for that strength training when they wake up on Monday morning feeling fresher for being stronger,” Behrakis declared.
Online strength training for runners will continue to be available for all entrants as a service ongoing from DoDay Personal Training.
In addition to record entries and the number of teams, fundraising has also been a major target. Thanks to a partnership with Grassrootz for the first time, entrants have raised vital funds for 15 different countries, well on the way to a target of $20,000, see the progress here.
At the front of the field, there will once again be a national class field with a Tasmanian hope. Melbourne’s Joel Tobin-White will make the trip, facing off against former Australian mile champion James Hansen from Launceston, neither having taken victory on the streets of Hobart.
While Kate Spencer makes the journey from NSW searching for her first Tasmanian road race win. Standing in her way is Olympic marathoner and Tasmania’s prolific race winner Milly Clark.
In the lead up to the event, a competition was held for people to share their stories of ‘why they run the bridge.’ Among the inspirational stories available here, was Gayle Bentley. While Gayle does parkrun (5km) most weekends, its typically in her wheelchair due to a condition called CIDP. However with her kids encouragement she’s determined to do the Liv Eat 1km event walking with her family on Sunday.
Motorists are reminded that road closures are significant, including the Tasman Bridge from 6:30am 9:00am, with more details available on the event website.
The timetable of events on Sunday 2 March is;
Entries are open until 3pm Saturday here.
