Message from Kylea Tink
Not so long ago I sat and made a list with my gorgeous friend Michelle Gooch. I wouldn’t exactly call it a bucket list – more like a wish list – of things that we would do when she got better.
Some of it was inane – like making home made jam with home made scones – some of it was probably over-reaching – like flying first class to New York for my 40th – and some of it was just the stuff we would do when she was healthy – happily ticking off those things she hadn’t quite yet had a chance to do. That is where running the City the Surf fitted in. At the time we joked I may have to push her but, also knowing her amazing family and friends, I knew that if it came to that I wouldn’t be alone.
Fast forward some seven months and I find myself standing in the Blue starting pack with Mich’s husband Neil on one side (pictured with me here) and my own husband Bede on the other. While my training regime had been patchy to say the least, friends had assured me I’d be fine – “the adrenaline and the atmosphere will carry you the first seven kilometres” they said. “You won’t even realise how far you’ve run until you get into the home stretch.”
While I’m not sure I would describe it as being that easy, I would say I was blown away by the people that surrounded me. Some ran, some walked; some talked and laughed; people of all ages and backgrounds; costumes and entertainment along the way. Kids were cajoled and running partners (including my own) egged their mates on, encouraging them with phrases like “You’re almost there”, “I can see the top” and “Come on – it’s just 500m more”. And while we were all so different in so many ways there seemed to be one uniting factor and that was, everywhere I turned people were running with hearts. They wore their charities on their sleeves, their backs, their sun visors; some had the names and faces of people that they loved on their shirts; and all, without exception were happy enough to offer words of encouragement to others.
There were moments along the way that were breathtaking: Going up over the top of Heartbreak Hill was pretty impressive and running on down into Bondi (although does anyone really believe that last one kilometre is measured accurately!). But for me it was an even smaller moment when we were coming down the back of Bondi that really struck home. You see a butterfly suddenly appeared - not just buzzing us fleetingly but literally circling us for next 300 metres or so - and I was reminded of Mich’s love for butterflies and her belief that they were the ultimate sign of self-renewal and rebirth. And then I knew it – even though she wasn’t there physically Mich was there with Neil and I and everyone else she had known and loved - probably laughing at how badly I was puffing and hurting, but still encouraging me and others to push on.
Having passed away in January this year, Mich didn’t make it to the City to Surf but her friends and her family still ran in her honour and I am sure there are many others there yesterday who had similar stories of things they had been inspired to do by those who have left us. So to all of you, and to everyone that ran on behalf of the McGrath Foundation for whatever the reason yesterday, thank you!
While Mich, like Jane, has inspired me to try and be a better person, I can honestly say that yesterday I was surrounded by another 79,999 inspiring individuals – Heck! I’ve now even signed myself and the kids up to the Blackmores Running Festival and I really hope to see all of you guys there again!
Kylea Tink
Managing Director of the McGrath Foundation, friend to Michelle and first-time City 2 Surfer
