CITY-BAY FUN RUN

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:41): I am almost embarrassed to ask this question of the Premier, not being a participant, but, Premier, knowing your activities with the City-Bay run I am wondering if you can update the house on how many South Australians, including yourself, are expected to take part in this year's City-Bay run as part of the government's Be Active program.

Mr WILLIAMS: I rise on a point of order. I think this question is hypothetical.

The Hon. M.D. Rann interjecting:

Mr WILLIAMS: But how do you know? Somebody might sleep in, Mike.

The SPEAKER: Order! Sit down.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:41): Don't tell me that the Liberals are now not even supporting the City-Bay. I mean, the City-Bay is part of the rites of spring in South Australia. It is one of those things that we all look forward to, even those of us who are sub-elite athletes, which is a fairly—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Exactly; like the minister for recreation and sport and the former minister for recreation and sport, who one day when I was halfway there was actually halfway coming back—not a wise move, I thought.

This iconic South Australian event will take place once again this coming Sunday, 18 September. The City-Bay is an annual fun run/walk event held on the third Sunday of September since 1973. This year's event has three starting points to provide a course over 12 kilometres, six kilometres and three kilometres, extending from the city along Anzac Highway to Glenelg, and yes, I will be joining the minister for recreation and sport in doing the entire 12 kilometres.

This year's event has already set a new record for participation, with almost 32,000 already registered to take part, up from the 30,989 (the all-time record) that took part last year. So, even before the day it has already shattered the all-time record. Organisers are still expecting a large number of last-minute registrations, given the predicted sunny weather for Sunday.

The City-Bay's prime objective is to raise funds to support athletics in South Australia. Local service clubs, as well as the athletic community, are supported with a donation based on the amount of volunteer help they provide, both on race day and for pre-race administration.

A growing number of charities and organisations are using the City-Bay Fun Run as a catalyst for their own fundraising activities. With the introduction of our online fundraising partner, Everyday Hero, charitable causes raised over $400,000 in 2010 and this amount is expected to increase again in 2011.

I think I first took part in the City-Bay in 2001. I recorded the sedate time of two hours five minutes. Last year, in spite of being a decade older, I finished in one hour 49 minutes. So, I have improved with age. No doubt, just like the Leader of the Opposition, she and I will be in the golden oldies group, the grey power peloton, on the day. This year, we will both be supporting the children's cancer charity CanTeen, which is what it is all about, and we have done it for Catherine House in the past. It is good that people of all ages can take part: the very young and those, like the Leader of the Opposition and I, who are in the autumn of our days. I look forward to joining her as we make up—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will join me in encouraging other members to pull on their sneakers and take part themselves, just like the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister for Education. Alternatively, they may wish to put their hands in their pockets to support one of the many charities that will benefit from the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised.

Mrs Redmond: How much have you raised?

The Hon. M.D. RANN: We have raised quite a bit over the years. I am sure the leader and I would hope that some might even get up on Sunday morning and join those encouraging us wrinklies—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: We'll be there. Look, that's the great thing. I think it is terrific that the Leader of the Opposition and I are prepared to say, 'Okay, us senior citizens can do as well as these young ones in raising money for good causes.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!