A wonderful effort with the annual Bendigo Run For Dad has raising $6600 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

More than 280 people took part in the Run For Dad on Father’s Day at Bendigo Racecourse with many dressing up to honour the event’s ‘super hero’ theme.

The Run For Dad was part of the first Bendigo Community Health Services Men’s Health Marathon – 11 days of activities to get men active and thinking about their health.

Foundation state manager for Victoria and Tasmania John Strachan said the Bendigo Run For Dad had become an important part of the calendar.

“Not only are the funds raised significant, it allows a fantastic opportunity to highlight prostate cancer awareness and men’s health messages to a strong regional community,” he said.

“As we are aware from research, prostate cancer presents a great challenge for men in rural Australia. There is a 21 per cent greater rate in mortality compared to their city counterparts. This is not due to a lack of local health services, but more so a delay in men seeking their testing options. As such it may mean they may be diagnosed at a more advanced stage of prostate cancer.

“The message is clear … men need to start having discussions with their GPs about PSA testing from the age of 50 or 40 if there is a family history of prostate cancer.

“The Run For Dad event is a perfect vehicle to get this message out there.”

Athletics Bendigo organises the Run For Dad and Keith Macdonald and the group are delighted with the success of the event this year.

“The fifth running of the Moira Macs Run For Dad was a great success with a great family atmosphere,” he said.

“Lots of family groups got involved in the theme of dressing up as their favourite super hero.

“Many people participated to support a loved one battling prostate cancer as well as creating an awareness of men’s health and that made for a very successful day.”

Mr Macdonald and his group has high hopes for the Run For Dad concept.

“It would be great to see a Run For Dad held in lots of towns across Australia to make it a truly national event and raise very significant funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.”