WANGARATTA’S Rodeo Ground was a sea of colour, particularly pink, on Sunday morning as generations walked and ran in support of efforts to fundraise for breast and ovarian cancer research.

The resurrection of a local Mother’s Day Classic, after a hiatus since 2019, was as warmly embraced by the community as the morning sunshine extolling a glorious autumn day.

And while many among the 170 participants thought how luck they were to be alive, they also reflected on past memories of those no longer here, motivating their presence at the event.

For the O’Keeffe family, participation on Sunday was even more significant.

Rory, Kate and sons Jude and Harvey arrived from Perth Saturday night, returning to their former hometown to celebrate the life of Rory’s father Gavan, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

“We’ve been supporting the event in Perth every year and were to participate there today with my sister Leisa (Graham),” Kate said, noting they’d raised around $685.

She said they’d lost family and friends to breast cancer and others had survived.

“My cousin Linda D’Agostino started the first Mother’s Day Classic in Wangaratta more than a decade ago and I participated when I was pregnant, then had the stroller the next year,” Kate quipped.

“It’s a great event and fabulous cause.”

Rachel Benton and her eight-year-old daughter Madelyn certainly thought so, among the starters in the 3km walk on Sunday.

“A close friend died of breast cancer earlier this year and we’re out this morning walking in her memory,” Rachel said.

“I participated in one of the virtual online Mother’s Day Classics during COVID and it’s wonderful that it has made a return to Wangaratta.

“It’s so good to see so many people across all ages together here.”

North Wangaratta resident Tim Donald provided the perfect Mother’s Day gift for his Mum Lynne, draping her in the medal he won as the first runner home in the 9km distance, in a time of 37.13 minutes.

“What a wonderful event,” said Lynne.

“And my son’s spoilt me with this medal.

“We’re off for a walk now on the Bullawah Trail to make the most of Mother’s Day.”

Beechworth teenager Eli Green, who lost a grandparent to cancer in 2020, was the first home in the 6km event, in a time of 22.30 minutes.

Chantelle West who organised Sunday’s event with Gracie Reid, said they were “absolutely stoked” with the turnout and the day.

“It’s our first event and we’re beyond thrilled to have got more than 170 participants,” she enthused.

“We definitely want to build on it and make it grow next year.”

Chantelle said the event’s raffle raised more than $1000, and donations and fundraising from participants was another $7000 plus - with Elvie West raising the highest individual total of $1189, and Rachel Harrop’s Jellybeans team raising $1600.

“Everyone’s efforts have helped raise more than $8000 for the cause, and we’re still counting,” she said, lauding the team effort.

“We want to thank all the individuals, teams, businesses and sponsors who supported the event.”

Live performances by entertainers Jasmine Thompson and Bill McCabe, the presence of a handful of stallholders, and coffee van, as well as words of encouragement from Rural City of Wangaratta mayor Irene Grant all added to the enjoyment of the day.