Running for charity from bayside to Bald Hills

The 2012 Bayside to Bald Hills Family Fun Day for the charity Camp Quality was held on Sunday 22nd July. Camp Quality is a children's family cancer charity. This annual event is a non competitive walk, run or cycle that caters to all age, weight, height, fitness, playing field or flood levels. There are also suitable distances over 6km, 10km or 15 km for all shapes and sizes, individuals, teams, couples or storm troopers for a leisurely stroll in the park. Participants get a number and a tee shirt (but not pants), and then at the finish line, some fresh hot BBQ breakfast, fruit and more.

The 15km route starts just off the Hornibrook Bridge in Decker park in Brighton and then follows a picturesque course in the northern bayside suburbs along Flinders Parade in the Sandgate coastline to the Shorncliffe waterfront and jetty in Moora park. Here the magnificent views of Moreton Island and bay, greet the brisk moving promenaders around a headland. 
The drinks station and 10km mark is at a handy location just before the route goes inland. Here, early morning risers on this Sunday turn into Friday Street near a golf course on Cabbage Tree Creek. 

This cage is a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the busy Gateway motorway.

Map of the bayside to bald hills 15km route.

The tour of Sandgate and Shorncliffe continues along the main street where one may stop for a pot of gold, or rather a pot o’tea at the end of Rainbow Street. After the thrill or soon as the tea’s gone, you’ll be gone into the Deagon sportsground. At the 6km point and with the views of the sea gone, the racecourse PCYC in Deagon, is a welcome stop for a breather and a drink, before the final finishing saunter or sprint. 
The camera’s battery was blinking low so I put it away in reserve. But I needed more of an energy reserve as the course hit a lengthy incline up to Bracken Ridge reserve. 

After another stop at the park reserve I felt I had enough puff to the finish. I felt quite safe, but this was before tackling the maze of suburban streets and the local TAFE. The day was radiant and dazzling with its Sunday best, but I was feeling the worst. After some K’s I found myself in the wrong pathways and place. I was a worried man with a worried gaze, as again I was in a daze lost in another maze. It was like in the night after dark, from Isaac Best Park to Stanley Day Park. The final few hundred metres in Bald Hills went through a path in the railway tunnel under the Gympie Arterial Road, and then the footbridge over the North Coast railway Line, to the finish in a street fair in Bald Hills Road.

The stalls and activities in the street had everything from massages, healthy living products, cakes and crafts, books, jewellery, and kids toys, kitchenware, coffee etc. 

Every dog and his man was there.

And so too was every dog and her woman

The force was with them.

Star Wars fans were lucky enough to meet a legion of storm troopers. 

Some had photos taken with Darth Vader.

This event is for charity and many happy smiling participants braved the early morning chill to walk, run or cycle the 6km,10km or 15km track. Even more charitable are the many volunteers who donated generously of their time to be marshals, officials or helpers in any way for the day. The breakfast team put on a great spread for all the finishers and company, with many going back for seconds. 

Thank you all.

Google map of the bayside to bald hills route.