The annual Run the Tan event will be held at Melbourne’s iconic Tan Track on Sunday 30 April 2023 to raise awareness and funds for local mental health charities. 

“One in five Australians will suffer mental illness this year and research has shown that running for just 15 minutes a day reduces the risk of major depression by 26%,” said Darren Templeton, Run the Tan Founder.  

With a new record for prize money, a record fundraising target and hopes for record participation, the 2023 event is predicted to be bigger than ever. 

“Run the Tan will help raise awareness of the importance that exercise has on mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing recognition to our top Australian middle-distance runners,” Templeton added. 

Elite athletes, including Australian record holder Jessica Hull and Commonwealth bronze medallist Abbey Caldwell, will attempt to break the current all-time records around the famous track.

“Run the Tan is an event that draws thousands of people to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and Tan Track in Melbourne, all in the name of a good cause,” said Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp. 

Also joining in the cause are celebrities including Matthew Richardson, Rob Mills, Dave Hughes, Bernard Curry, Anthony Koutoufides, Alicia Loxley, Andy Maher and Archie Thompson. 

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp praised the event for its contribution to the community and for supporting such an important cause. 

“As a community, we want to continue promoting awareness around mental health, and supporting the organisations that help those who are struggling.” 

“I’m delighted to welcome all the participants of 2023’s event and can’t wait to participate myself,” she added.  

Thanks to naming rights sponsor Liberty, the event will offer the largest prize money for any event of its kind in Australia. The event also aims to raise $100k to support local mental health charities such as Lifeline, One in Five, RUOK, SANE and Beyond Blue.  

Participants can choose to create their own fundraising page to support the work of their preferred charity. 

“This event raises much needed funds to support our work. Every $39 raised helps us to answer another call. We have a long history of community fundraisers through events like this so this is a great fit and helps us to keep the phone lines running,” said Ben Chinnock, Lifeline Community and Campaigns Manager. 

Leading lender Liberty is the major sponsor in 2023, following a successful partnership in 2022. Liberty Chief Executive Officer James Boyle said the partnership extension was an opportunity to demonstrate a free-thinking approach to supporting both community wellbeing and professional sport. 

“As an organisation with inclusion in our DNA, it gives us much pleasure to support an initiative that is open to everyone in the community and caters for all abilities,” said Boyle. 

“We pride ourselves on finding ways to support our local community and hope our continued partnership with Run the Tan will help raise more funds and awareness for mental health in Australia.” 

Liberty will again drive support for the event through its existing sponsorships with the Melbourne Renegades, Essendon Football Club and A-Leagues. 

Other key event sponsors include New Balance, Up There Athletics, Allianz, and McArthur, with additional support from City of Melbourne, Athletics Victoria and Bennelong. 

Registrations for Run the Tan are still open, but with limited spots available, early registrations via www.runthetan.net are encouraged.