By Tanya Steele
Raising money for charity, dressing up and getting out into nature will see an iconic hills community host a first-time 5km run on Sunday 22 September at Birdland Reserve in Belgrave Heights.
Not just metaphorically, the mothers and families of the Dandenong Ranges and beyond will be “Running up that hill” for their inaugural R.U.T.H. five km running event dedicated to mental health awareness.
Along with the run for charity, the event will have a three-pronged dress-up theme, with Kate Bush, Stranger Things and Ruth Bader Ginsburg costumes encouraged.
President of Mums of the Hills Inc (MotHs) Belinda Young said she is excited to dress up and can’t wait for the day.
“This is all about raising awareness and funds for mental health – we do know that we live in a vulnerable area,” she said.
“I’d love for people to come from all over, it’s not just for a Hills-based event.”
“It’s for the whole community, so anyone can come.”
The event hopes to draw not just mothers, but also families and youths and will donate proceeds to the Black Dog Institute, which is dedicated to research in mental health.
Runners on the day will also receive a medal for completing and a celebratory catered event at the onsite Birdsland Environmental Education Centre.
“The medal has been handmade by members of Mothers of the Hills, and it’s made from wood that fell in the June 2021 storms, said Ms Young.
“That represents a significant challenge that the community overcame, and some people are still going through,” she said.
The event is themed around Kate Bush’s stand-out song “Running up that Hill” which slammed back into song charts after being featured in a popular television show “Stranger Things”
The nostalgic horror captured the attention of viewers across many ages and the song went viral globally when it aired in May of 2022.
“The song is absolutely fantastic – the younger generations are loving it as well and this song connects us,” Ms Young said.
Ms Young said the event theme developed from the song because at MotHs their whole mission is to reduce the factors that cause isolation.
“That inner meaning behind Kate Bush’s song also really struck a chord with us,” she said.
The group are also playing on the acronym R.U.T.H. and using Ruth Bader Ginsburg as inspiration, along with her well known quote:
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”
Ms Young said real success has already happened in the lead-up to the event after a running group formed to train for it – a group known as the ‘Runushkas’.
“Most of us had never or had done very little running and the fabulous Pete Spink a local runner and trainer has helped train us,” she said.
“The commitment that this has created, of us being able to get together and run at a pace where we can talk, it really has elevated the event beyond just the event itself, to actually creating long, lasting friendships and connections in the community.”
MotHs has been an active online private group since 2015, aimed at supporting women through the years of motherhood, connecting mothers to services and promoting local businesses.
“We have members out to the Yarra Valley even up toward Warburton,” said Ms Young.
The event will kick off at Birdsland Reserve, 271 Mt Morton Rd, Belgrave Height on Sunday 22 September and sign in opens at 8am for a 9am start.
Runners can register at the MotHs website.
“This event is about creating connections and being able to reach out to people,” said Ms Young.
