Left to Right: Stretching before their events in the Suzanne Fun Run in Sydney. From left: Capt Christina Van der Hulst, HQ 5 Bde; Cpl Stephanie Hall, AAB-S; Pte Fiona Dubbels, 1 HSB; and Pte Jeni Greenland, 4/3RNSWR. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper

Keeping fit to fight cancer

By Pte Andrew Coleman
FOUR fit and fast female soldiers from Holsworthy recently won the five and 10km team events at the Suzanne Fun Run along Sydney Harbour.

Capt Christina Van der Hulst, DNSDC, and Cpl Stephanie Hall, AAB-Sydney dominated the 10km event, closing the race with a confident win.

Pte Fiona Dubbels, 1HSB, and Pte Jeni Greenland, AAB-Sydney, triumphed over the other teams to win the 5km event.

Capt Van der Hulst said she competes in triathlons and uses the fun runs as training preparation for the bigger competitions.

"This is the third fun run I have participated in, they are for a good cause and are a good way to get out and train," she said.

"The weather conditions are good today, it's not too hot so it was a good run."

Pte Greenland said the Suzanne Fun Run was an opportunity to get back on the road after a short break away from the sport.

"I've been in athletics since I was about nine years old, running has always been a part of my life," she said.

"I join these types of events often, they are fun and raise money for important organisations."

Pte Dubbels, said she had started training about two weeks prior to the fun run.

"The lead up training I do is pretty simple; I run," she said.

"My performance improves with each event and it helps a worthy cause."

Cpl Hall said she started participating in running events at the beginning of the year.

"I'm a beginner to the sport but it is coming along very well," she said.

"I competed in the Canberra Half Marathon and found out about the Suzanne Fun Run in the local paper. Wayne Heath is the co-ordinator and subject matter expert on these events for ADF personel.

"The event was fantastic, I started training three months ago for it, so it's really paid off.

"I do a lot of 10km runs plus sprint training, hill training and weight training to prepare for my competitions."

The ADF-Runners and Athletics Association sponsored the team and the entry fees went to the New South Wales Cancer Council to help with vital cancer treatment and support programs.

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