The City2City Committee today announced that the 2021 Hume Bank City2City will move to a fully virtual format.
The second outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW and the reinstatement of border closures along the Murray River has meant plans to host a COVID-safe physical fun run will not proceed as planned.
City2City Committee Chair, Michelle Hudson said ‘Whilst we had hoped we wouldn’t need them, we were prepared with contingencies should the COVID situation flare up again after Christmas/New Years’ festivities. We delayed opening registrations until early January and had the virtual format for the Walk & Talk set up, so that we could move to a fully virtual format if we needed to’.
Like many businesses and organisations that have had to innovate in response to the COVID-curve ball, the City2City has also introduced new initiatives to ensure the virtual format is as much a success as the physical format has been over the past six years.
‘The virtual 2021 Hume Bank City2City will be a month-long celebration where we’ll say thanks to our AWH front-line health workers, and celebrate the strength of our two cities, one community. We have introduced exciting new initiatives to support the virtual event including a sign posted ‘official’ course, a merch pack entry that includes a City2City t-shirt and weekly prizes for registered participants’ Ms Hudson added.
Participants in the virtual City2City sign up to complete the usual 15km, 10km or 7.5km Fun Runs, or Walk & Talk any distance, in their own time during February. Team Challenge Cups remain up for grabs and while individuals and teams can choose any course or route, the bike and foot paths along the traditional City2City course will be sign posted with kilometre and direction markers so participants can experience as close to the real thing as possible.
Perhaps more than ever, the 2021 Hume Bank City2City provides the opportunity for the Border community to celebrate and thank our front-line health service, Albury Wodonga Health.
All monies raised by the event stay local and will contribute to improved staff amenities at Albury Wodonga Health.
Registrations open to individuals and teams on Monday, 18 January via www.city2city.org.au