While last Sunday’s Angela Taylor Run/Walk ended up a very damp affair with a downpour at the end of the day, it didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending.

Competition for the prestigious Angela Taylor Team Shield was fierce, particularly in the 10km section, with the Fire Rescue Victoria Running Club winning by just 11 seconds, with their combined top four competitors finishing in 2.54.10sec. Second-place team, the Victoria Police Gang Crime Squad, finished in 2.54.21sec and the Academy Cruisers finished third.

The 5km section in the Police section was won by the Critical Incident Running Team, who won for the first time – beating AFP Southern Command by three minutes and Team Mernda.

#fortheloveofjosh Team were worthy winners of the General Public/Corporate Team section. The Team in honour of Constable Josh Prestney also won the largest team award and Josh’s parents Belinda and Andrew both won individual awards for the second year in a row in the over 55s 5km run bracket.

The highest fundraising team award went to the Boroondara Blazers with a special shoutout to Stephanie Smith who raised $680 on her own. She would have won the individual fundraising medal if it wasn’t for Blue Ribbon Foundation CEO Vedran Drakulić raising over $53,000. It was an amazing effort by all attending to raise such a large amount of over $100,000.

First place across the line in a time of 16 min and 30 sec went to 18-year-old Cameron Ellis of the Forensic Services Department. Mia Ioannou from AFP Southern Command was the first female to cross the line in 20 minutes and six seconds.

Local Middle Park resident Callum Drake, who just loves running and wanted to support the cause won the 10km section in a time of 34.24 while Amanda Bowden was first female across the line.

The special award of first dog across the line went to Olive who is part of the Critical Incident Running Team.

The last little dogs across the line were Millie and Mack with owner Donald. They were all pretty drenched by the time they finished. Winning and last placed dogs received special awards donated by EAC Animal Care, while all others chowed down on samples from Ziwi Peak.

A special Thank You goes to event sponsor BankVic and supporting partner ESSSuper for hosting the BBQ even though the snags got a bit wet at the end. The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation would also like to thank Channel 9 Melbourne crime reporter Gillian Lantouris for being a wonderful MC on the day, the SES for manning the water stations around the lake and Victorian Road Runners for marking out the course.

More than $100,000 has been raised for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation following this year’s Angela Taylor Memorial Run/Walk, held at Albert Park Lake on Sunday 3^rd of May.

The annual event honours the memory of Constable Angela Taylor and all police officers who have died in the line of duty while serving and protecting the community.

Marking the 40th anniversary of the Russell Street bombing, which claimed Constable Taylor’s life, this year’s event attracted over 1,100 participants who took part in the run or walk around the lake. First established in 1989 by the Victorian Road Runners, the event continues to be delivered in partnership with the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, with ongoing involvement from the running club.

More than 50 police and emergency services teams participated, including representatives from the Australian Federal Police, Law Enforcement Torch Relay, Forensic Services Department, Squad 7/86 and Boroondara Blazers. They were joined by corporate and community teams including BankVic, Motorola, ESSSuper, KordaMentha, Eastern Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Funds raised will support the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s ongoing work delivering projects which help fund vital medical equipment and facilities to public hospitals across Victoria.

Chair of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, Mark Stone AM, thanked participants and supporters for their contribution.

“Your efforts, together with the support of our sponsors and the broader community, enable us to fund critically important hospital equipment and facilities that benefit all Victorians—both in metropolitan Melbourne and across regional communities,” Mr Stone said.

“I would also like to acknowledge Angela’s parents, Marilyn and Arthur Taylor, who continue to honour their daughter’s legacy by attending this event each year.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush CNZM, Patron of the Foundation, also participated in the event and joined Marilyn and Arthur Taylor in presenting trophies and medals.