By Tanya Steele
Sounds of laughter, giggles and the thud of runners on gravel cut through the air in Birdsland Reserve in Belgrave Heights on Sunday 22 September as the ‘Mums of the Hills Inc.’ held their epic first-time ‘Running up that Hill event (R.U.T.H.)’ event.
With two loops and an intense hill to finish, the first time ’R.U.T.H.’ 5km run for mental health awareness saw people from all over the Dandenong Ranges and beyond come together for charity, run and a cheeky dress-up.
With Kate Bush, Stranger Things and Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspiring the theme Mums of the Hill Inc. (MotH) run organiser and group President Belinda Young said it was a fantastic day.
“It was for a great cause – the Black Dog Institute and there were so many connections made on the day,” she said.
Ms Young said a highlight for her was being cheered through the final leg of the course which took runners along the Bunjil Trail in Birdsland which ends with an amazing view of the Melbourne CBD.
“It was so hard, but that was the point – we were running up that hill to signify the challenges we’ve had,” she said.
Two teen trail assistants Stella and Hugo kept runners inspired with a 80’s playlist that would keep anyone moving and encouraged everyone along the course.
Prep for the big day had been varying among the crowd, but one group of MotHs had been training with a local long distance runner Pete Spink.
Dubbed the ‘Runushkas’ they had been in training for a few months beforehand with some never having run before.
The ‘Runushkas’ could be spotted dressed in Kate Bush’s signature wuthering red with MotH Kathleen going for the full look.
Pete took the expectant crowd through some warm-ups on the morning and said it was great to see so many people there.
“Just think of the amazing view at the top to keep you going, because you can see all the way to the city. It will make it worthwhile,” he said.
“But as you’re going around the flat pit, just keep a little bit in reserve so you can tackle that.”
And tackle it they did, dressed in a variety of costumes some ran, some walked but they all made it to the top in the end.
Runner Brooke breached the hill first and all the runners received handmade wooden medallions.
“The medal has been handmade by members of Mothers of the Hills, and it’s made from trees that fell in the June 2021 storms, said Ms Young.
“I’ve had the wood for a while – when you receive this medal, it’s in recognition of what you overcame then and what you can overcome with community around you,” she said.
“Some people are still going through it.”
Committee member and volunteer helper on the day Leslie said she thought the run achieved the group’s goals for mental health.
“It’s a strong community and many here have had challenges with mental health directly,” she said.
Photographer Pauline Klemm captured a lot of the action on the day and said it was very rewarding to shoot.
The event concluded with a catered breakfast by Monbulk family caterer Glenn makes food – who also gave a bonus prize out to the best-costumed family.
Funded by the Yarra Ranges Council Ms Young said their community grant paved the way for the run along with assistance from Melbourne Water.
“Melbourne Water supports MotHs as well and were vital in the process – their input helped set the run’s final location,” she said.
Since 2015, MotHs has been an engaged online private group dedicated to supporting women during their motherhood journey, connecting mothers with services, and promoting local businesses.
The group has more on the horizon with more events planned in October in the Yarra Valley and will continue to do its work in the parenting community, supporting women and their families through the challenges of motherhood and beyond.
“The run highlighted the challenge behind overcoming whatever is hard in our lives – whether it’s mental health, financial or just having a tough day – that’s what the challenge was all about,” said Ms Young.
