LOCAL OLYMPIAN MADELINE HEINER ANNOUNCED AS AMBASSADOR FOR THE 2024 MCGRATH WOLLONGONG RUNNING FESTIVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8 MARCH 2024

Participants of this year’s McGrath Wollongong Running Festival will have the chance to run alongside Wollongong Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete Madeline Heiner. Madeline’s presence promises to increase the profile of the running festival, encouraging runners outside the Illawarra to compete in Wollongong. 

Wollongong, NSW: The 2024 McGrath Wollongong Running Festival has announced one of its  ambassadors, local Olympian and Commonwealth Games athlete Madeline Heiner. Madeline will compete in this year’s event on Sunday 2 June 2024, and will also be cheering on other runners, encouraging them to reach their goals. 

Madeline grew up in Shellharbour and ran in the Kembla Joggers running club as a teenager. She has gone on to become a two-time finalist at both the 2016 Olympic games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She holds a 15:04 personal best for 5km and 31:41 for 10km races; impressive times to inspire more competitive runners at the McGrath Wollongong Running Festival.

Today, Madeline has traded in the professional race track for her local footpaths. She looks to running as a way to socialise and enjoy the outdoors, whilst moving her body. She is looking forward to encouraging the Wollongong community to do the same. 

“After competing on the world stage for running, I am so excited to come back to my home turf and race alongside the Illawarra running community. Nothing beats the feeling of cheering on other runners and crossing the finish line together. I know the atmosphere at the McGrath Wollongong Running Festival is going to be high”, said Madeline Heiner. 

James Tunbridge, Race Director, said that having Madeline at the event will be an inspiration for the runners on the day. 

“Madeline grew up running in Wollongong and spent most of her professional career training here. Being a two-time finalist at the Rio Olympics was a truly remarkable performance, and solidifies her as one of Australia’s strongest middle distance runners. Having the opportunity to run alongside and be inspired by Madeline will be a unique and fantastic experience for our runners.”

The opportunity to #RunWithMadeline at the McGrath Wollongong Running Festival will encourage out-of-area runners to travel to Wollongong for the event.

Register here: https://www.onlineentry.com.au/WollongongRF_2024.aspx 

For more information about the event, download our Press Release Pack here.

For media enquiries, please contact Kara Agostinho via phone on 0448 181 107, or via email at kara.agostinho@provum.com