Monash brings 2019 Asylum Seeker scholarship fundraising tally to $85,000 at Melbourne Marathon

There were no sub two hour marathons in Melbourne yesterday, but TeamMONASH certainly impressed at the 42^nd Melbourne Marathon Festival, raising $25,000 for Asylum Seeker scholarships.

Runners were spurred on by volunteer Monash cheer

teams positioned at various locations along the course.

Over 250 Monash students, staff and alumni took to the streets of Melbourne for the annual event, including 100 fundraisers who have helped bring Monash’s total money raised for Asylum Seeker scholarships in 2019 to over $85,000.

This will cover two years of an Asylum Seeker’s tuition fees at Monash University, as well as a $5000 stipend for both those years. 

The Melbourne event was Australia’s largest ever marathon, with 37,185 people taking part. Monash students also represented the university competitively at the event, as the marathon was the official 2019 Unisport Nationals competition.

The race started by the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD. Marathon runners completed a scenic loop of Albert Park, running out to St Kilda before returning into the CBD to join all other event participants in a lap of the MCG.

Monash student Declan Dempster finished his first marathon yesterday, and personally raised over $650 for the cause by calling on donators to sponsor him to wear Richmond Football Club merchandise during the run.

Declan said he hit the wall between the 32 and 40km mark of the run, but was spurred on by the four hour pacers, and inspired by the run into the MCG to the finish line.

Declan Dempster (right) said he was 

motivated to complete the marathon

and raise funds for Asylum Seeker

scholarships after participating in Run 

Melbourne earlier in July this year. 

“I kind of wanted to cry, just because I was so exhausted and I was just so happy to see the finish,” Declan said.

“There were so many people watching, it was quite cool and so loud.”

The Melbourne Marathon Festival has events for all abilities, with Monash students participating in the full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km events.

The sunny 22 degree day made for pleasant running conditions despite the early morning start.

Monash’s Giving Programs Officer Ian Grimwood said over 3000 people donated to Monash’s 2019 fundraising campaign at Run Melbourne and the Melbourne Marathon Festival, driving the team’s success.

“That’s a massive show of support for the scholarships, and it really helps to send a message to the University and to the wider public that this is really important to Monash University’s community,” Ian said.

“The highlight is always seeing people who have put in so much hard work to fundraise and train enjoying themselves out on the day and really celebrating a big win.” 

Ian (in pink) said he is hoping Monash will

meet the $100,000 fundraising goal through a

 series of on campus events before the end of the year.

Monash is aiming to raise a further $15,000 this year, bringing the 2019 total to $100,000. 

Kenyans Isaac Birir and Naomi Jepkogei Maiyo each took away $20,000 in prize money as the male and female winners of the marathon. Birir finished the race in a time of 2:16.31, and Maiyo followed with a time of 2:35.34.

Five dedicated runners completed the Melbourne Marathon for the 42^nd consecutive year, and participants at the event ranged in age from 18 to 87 years. 

Written by Nell O’Shea Carre, Media Coordinator.