The Lane Cove Fun Run is a major annual Lane Cove event, attracting around 2,200 participants to Kingsford Smith Oval on a Sunday morning each September.
The event is not just about running—it’s a community celebration that brings people together for a good cause.
Funds raised from the Fun Run benefit both the Lane Cove Public School P&C and Sydney Community Services, making it an important event for the local community.
The inaugural event was held in 2016. From the start the event was so successful journalist and author Peter FitzSimmons wrote an article about the Lane Cove Fun Run in the Sydney Morning Herald. Peter wants other suburbs to get out there and do the same.
Like so many other events, the Lane Cove Fun Run went into hiatus due to COVID restrictions. In 2022, Lara Wehby was tasked with rejuvenating the event.
Under Lara’s leadership, the popular event experienced a resurgence, preserving the hard work of past organisers. Having committed to a two-year term, Lara planned to hand over the director role in 2024.
As the end of Lara’s tenure approached, the organising team became concerned, as no one had stepped forward to take over the role. The possibility of outsourcing the event management was considered, which would have likely reduced the amount of money raised for the Lane Cove Public School P&C and Sydney Community Services.
New Director
Fortunately, Liz Wright, a kindy parent at Lane Cove Public School, answered the call for help.
Recognising the importance of keeping the event within the community, Liz volunteered to take on the responsibility of directing the Fun Run in 2024.
Her decision ensures that all the funds raised will continue to benefit the school and the local community. Liz’s commitment has been a huge relief to the school community and has ensured the continued success of this beloved event.
We wanted to know more about Liz and why she was willing to take on such a huge commitment.
Liz’s Connection to Lane Cove
Liz attended both Birrahlee Preschool (Class of ’87) and Lane Cove Public School (Class of 1994).
While a student at LCPS, her father was the P&C president for three years, and her mother was on the music committee (and many other smaller committees) for years.
Her parents, Lorraine and Richard Boyer, also still support the Year 6 Boyer Creative Arts Award, which is given to the student who displays outstanding achievements in creative arts at the school.
Liz told ITC about growing up in the Lane Cove area:
“Those years at Lane Cove were some of the best years of my life, and I have so many amazing memories from my time at the school.
Lane Cove has changed so much since I was growing up, but I think the essence of life as a primary school kid still seems to be much the same.
Music or sport after school, swimming at Lane Cove Pool (which was all outdoor and freezing back then!), hanging out in the Lane Cove Library after school and getting in trouble for talking, catching the 261 to and from school, Friday night dinners in the plaza – running around like crazy with friends playing under the rotunda, Saturday netball at Willoughby, riding our bikes around Longueville with friends, going for adventures down to Tambourine Bay via the creek.
There used to be a local shop in Longueville opposite Kingsford Smith Oval on Kenneth St, and we would get off the bus there and buy 5c red frogs. I think it must have closed down in the early 90s, though, because I remember having to switch to Food Plus (Now Jack & Co) at some point for my Lolly habit!”
Looking back, Liz realised that Lane Cove always had a very committed and caring community. The residents took great ownership of the area, creating a strong sense of community that has remained with them throughout their lives.
She feels fortunate to have maintained many friendships formed through Lane Cove Public School, and some of her friends also now send their children to LCPS.
Liz Spends Time in Melbourne Following Her Passion
After completing a Creative Arts degree majoring in drama at Macquarie University, Liz started her first job working with the Rock Eisteddfod organisation.
Liz eventually moved to Melbourne with her husband whom she met while they were working in the festival scene.
After living in Melbourne for eight years, an opportunity arose to return to Lane Cove and has proven to be a great decision.
Her husband Tom, who is originally from the UK, jokes that Liz seems to know everyone in Lane Cove. Though that isn’t entirely true, Liz admitted it certainly felt strange during her first month back, bumping into so many people from her childhood.
Why Did Liz Agree to Become Race Director
Liz had been reading about the Lane Cove Fun Run and was impressed that the Lane Cove Public School P&C was organising such a fantastic event that brought the community together.
Liz’s background is in events management, but she is currently not working as she is studying horticulture, another passion of hers.
Her husband also works in the events industry, which is demanding, especially with frequent travel.
To support her family, she decided to take a work break while she was studying.
When Liz read a social media post “advertising” for a Race Director she started thinking about the role.
Taking on the role of Fun Run Director seemed like a perfect opportunity to meet new people, get acquainted with the school, and contribute to the community while she was having a work break.
What Has The Experience Been Like So Far?
Liz told ITC she has been making friends with all the new parents, but now no one will look her in the eye at pick-up, fearing that she might ask them to take on a task! Anyone who is a lead volunteer knows the fears others have of recruitment. Jokes aside, she’s found it incredible how supportive and excited the community is about the event. People know what the Lane Cove Fun Run is, and they’re genuinely eager to support it and get involved.
Meeting others who share her passion for supporting community events has been one of the highlights of the role. She knows that events are not easy—they require immense hard work and seem to become increasingly challenging with regulations, safety requirements, insurance, rising production costs and the general cost of living pressure making people more hesitant to attend.
However, when an event comes together successfully, there is no better place to be.
What is She Looking Forward To on Fun Run Day?
“Seeing all those people run through the streets of Longueville. I’ve been lucky enough in my career to stand on some pretty massive roads while they’re closed and watch them become pedestrian thoroughfares. Watching humans reclaim the streets from vehicles is quite special. But I think seeing the sleepy streets of Longueville, where I grew up, play host to all those people will be an awesome scene”, Liz said.
“I want to thank the other major players on our Core Team who have worked on past events and supported me through this so far. Renee Maxwell, Caleb Taylor and Lara Wehby – Thank you for all the hours you have given so far and the ones you’re about to give!”
Also, here is a shout-out to our wider community about volunteering on the day. We’re particularly in need of course marshals on the day, so if you don’t fancy being a runner but want to see the spectacle, please get in touch through our website or social media, we really struggle to get volunteers for this role as we have so many people running the race.”
Do You Want to Volunteer?
Although Lane Cove Public School runs this community event, volunteers from outside the school have helped make it a great success in the past.
There are small and big roles up for grabs.
Check out the volunteer roles here. Anyone with a passion for helping out their community can volunteer.
