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Run for Refugees
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - Support Us

Run for Refugees

Support Us >> Run for Refugees

Run 4 RefugeesRun for freedom... Run for justice... Run for refugees

On the 11th of October 2009 be part of our Run for Refugees Team and help make a world of difference to the lives of thousands of asylum seekers.

You can walk or run 5km, 10km, 21km or 42km on the day and get people to sponsor you. Every dollar raised will provide urgently needed aid, health and legal services for asylum seekers.


Getting started


Step 1 - Pick your distance

Decide what distance you want to complete at the Melbourne Marathon on 11 October 2009.

You can walk or run 5, 10, 21.1 or 42 km. We will have a Run for Refugee Team for each distance.

Step 2 - Join our team

Fill in the Run for Refugees Sponsorship form (PDF 111 KB)

Step 3 - Get people to sponsor you

They can sponsor you online, by mail or fax.

Step 4 - Register for the run

To walk or run on the day you also need to register for the Melbourne Marathon.

Step 5 - Train with us (optional)

Join us for a practice run on one of our Team Training Dates (DOC 32 KB)


Frequently asked questions


Victorious half-marathon runners

1. How do I join the Run for Refugees Team?

All you need to do is download the Run for Refugees Sponsorship form (PDF 111 KB)

Complete page 1 and send it to us so that we know you are part of the team. You can do this by:

Keep page 2 of this form for now to use to keep track of all your sponsors. You can send it to us after the event by 27 October 2009 with any outstanding sponsor's money.


2. What do I get for being a member of the Run for Refugees Team?

As a member of the ASRC Run for Refugees Team you get:

  • a fantastic FREE Run for Refugees Retro Mesh T-Shirt worth $40 to run in and keep
  • the satisfaction of providing asylum seekers with urgently needed food, medical care, aid and legal assistance simply through the money you raise by running or walking
  • the chance to be part of a team, have fun and get fit all at the same time
  • a personal feeling of great achievement at reaching a personal goal for you.

3. How do I register for the Melbourne Marathon and what does it cost?

Entry fees and registration details can be found on the Melbourne Marathon website.


4. Where will the money that I raise go?

The ASRC receives no Federal Government funding and only 6% of our funding comes from the State Government. We rely on donations from the community to survive. For every dollar that is donated to the ASRC we are able to generate $20 worth of assistance.

All money that you will raise will go directly to paying for food, medicine, Met tickets, nappies, English classes, legal assistance, counseling and crisis support to asylum seekers.

  • $5 will pay for 1 English as a Second Language class for 20 people
  • $10 pay for a food parcel to feed an asylum seeker family for a week
  • $20 will pay for a phone card for an asylum seeker in detention to call their family
  • $50 will pay for a week's medical care for 10 asylum seeker children who have no Medicare
  • $100 will fund crisis support to 20 asylum seekers families for a week
  • $500 will pay for an hour of legal assistance to 50 destitute asylum seekers
  • $1000 will fund our entire meals program for 1 month to provide 3000 meals to asylum seekers.

5. What if I have never done a walk or run of this distance before?

The ASRC 5.5 km team

Part of the satisfaction and fun of being part of the Run for Refugees is setting yourself a new challenge. Pick a distance that motivates you and at the same time is one that you feel comfortable in taking on.

Last year we had people ranging from 18 to 80 years of age as part of our Run for Refugees Team. Almost all had never done those distances before, be they 5km, 10km, 21km or 42km. Some walked, others ran, regardless of what the distance was. Some had a time in mind, others just took their time and enjoyed it.

The key is to have fun on the day, enjoy being part of a team and celebrate afterwards with us the wonderful achievement and difference you have made.

The other part is to gradually build your fitness leading up to the event. You can do this by coming along to our weekly training runs/walks (DOC 32 KB) and if you want some more information, you can read some information on how to prepare below.


6. What's the best way for people to sponsor me?

The best way for people to sponsor you is for them to go directly to our safe and secure online donation facility run by Our Community, a non-profit organization that is kindly helping us for free.

They can sponsor you online or download a sponsor form and send it to the ASRC by fax or post, just by going to the link below:
www.ourcommunity.com.au/giving/appeal_details.form?appealId=1733

We will then send a tax-deductible receipt for all sponsorship over $2 directly to your sponsor.

Alternatively, if people want to just give you the money directly, then you can collect it and forward to us with the completed list of sponsors and we will send them a tax-deductible receipt.


7. How do I issue tax-deductible receipts to people that sponsor me?

Any sponsorship over $2 is fully tax-deductible as it’s a donation to the ASRC.

If a person donates online via the Our Community donation facility they will automatically be sent a tax-deductible receipt.

If a person sends their sponsorship via post, fax or in person the ASRC will post them a tax-deductible receipt.


8. What if I want to support the Run for Refugees Team but can't run or walk on the day?

There are plenty of other ways you can support our team apart from running or walking:

Donate by sponsoring the team

Volunteer to support the team
We need volunteers to help with all of the following:

  • Photographing the team on the day of the Melbourne Marathon
  • Cheering and support on the day of the run
  • Advice and mentoring from any professional runners to help us with our training runs
  • Physiotherapists to advise us on training and preparation
  • Massage therapists who could give quick foot and back massages to the team after the event

If you can help with any of the above, email us at: home.of.human.rights@asrc.org.au


9. Are there training runs to help me prepare for my walk or run?

We will have weekly training runs or walks leading up to 11 October 2009. They are a great way to ease into preparing for the Melbourne Marathon and to have fun training as part of a team. They are totally optional - come when you can.

The first set of Run for Refugees Training Dates are:

  • Saturday 13 June
  • Saturday 20 June
  • Saturday 27 June

Time: 9am
Location: Princess Park, Royal Parade, Parkville (meet on the corner across from Princess Park Motor inn)

How to get there:
By Tram, 19 North Coburg from Elizabeth Street (get off at the stop in front of the 7-11 just before the start of Sydney Road, Brunswick)
By Train, Upfield line — get off at Brunswick Station and walk along Sydney Rd in the direction towards the city.


10. How should I prepare on the day of the run or walk?

The key on the day is to have fun, go at your own pace and slow down if it gets too much. It's not a competition, the finishing time is not important and you have already been a success by having a go and raising money to help asylum seekers.

Here are some practical tips to help you for the walk or run you are doing:

Warm up
Before the walk or run, make sure to go through a thorough warm up that can include about 15 minutes of stretching, followed by another 5 to 15 minutes of light jogging if you are doing a half or full marathon.

Wake up early
Try and wake up at least 2 hours before the start of the race. This has two purposes: if you can eat something, it will give you enough time to have it mostly digested before the gun goes off. Second, it will help keep you from feeling sluggish on the starting line.

Wear the right gear
Make sure that you wear the sneakers, socks, and clothes that you’ll be racing in before the race itself. If they aggravate you in any way, you can expect that problem to be magnified during the race, and should take steps to alleviate the discomfort. Don’t forget to wear your Run for Refugees t-shirt, which is specially designed for such distances and you get for free by joining the team.

Stay hydrated
Hydration should not begin the morning of the race. Instead, you should make a conscious effort to drink lots of water at least 48 hours before the start. It takes the body that long to fully fill its H2O stores.

Drink water during the race before you get thirsty

What to eat and drink before the race
The ‘last supper’ is an important one. Actually, what you eat that entire day before Sunday's marathon could make a difference. Eat sensibly all day, rather than stuffing your face at night. Eat the same amount as you normally would, or slightly more. What goes in must come out, and you don't need that half way around the course! Don't try a new meal or something you’ve never eaten. Spicy, rich foods are a no-no, so is salt and high salt meals.

You definitely want carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, cous cous etc) to make up about 80% of your evening meal. If you suspect you might be intolerant of wheat, best to stick with brown rice or potatoes the night before, rather than bread or pasta.

I would suggest adding some iron rich food and protein your evening meal as well such as spinach. Some people are camels and can run on a completely empty stomach (like me). I would suggest sticking with what you know on race day, but you may want to have a sugary drink prior if you haven’t eaten since dinner.

Those who need to eat before a run, make sure you leave three hours between your meal and the run and keep it light like a banana, porridge, or toast with jam.

Adapt to the weather conditions
If you are running the full marathon assess the weather the day of the race and adjust your goals accordingly. High or low temperatures, excessive humidity, and wind can all take their toll on your body during the course of 26.2 miles.


11. Where can I get more information on training for my run?

Training for a 5km run:

Training for a 10km run:

Training for a half-marathon:

Training for a full marathon:

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