The Sunshine Coast Mother’s Day Classic hopes to double its crowd this year, as organisers aim to raise more funds for breast and ovarian cancer research.
The event made an emotional comeback last year after a five-year hiatus, driven by two women who were strangers until a chance Facebook post brought them together.
Angela Jones and Hayley King are now joint organisers, united by deeply personal connections to breast cancer and a shared determination to rebuild the event.
“We’d been doing it virtually – walking in pink tutus along Caloundra – and I kept thinking: ‘This place is too big, too connected and too impacted by cancer not to have something of its own’,” breast cancer survivor Angela says.
“I knew if we brought it back, people would show up, and they did.”
In early 2025, Angela reached out online for advice on reviving the event after Covid shut it down, prompting Hayley, a former organiser, to respond.
Their connection quickly turned into action.
“This event is truly a part of me and my family,” Hayley says.
“It’s a tribute to my mum, who passed away from breast cancer in 2014.”
Despite heavy rain on the day of its return, the community response exceeded expectations.
“Seeing that first event come back was honestly overwhelming,” Angela says.
“We had 300 people turn up in the pouring rain, all dressed in pink, smiling, laughing and supporting each other despite the conditions. It was so emotional. I had to hold back tears.”
Now, the two are focused on making the 2026 event even bigger.
“For 2026, we really want to build on that momentum: double the crowd, raise $26,000 and make it even more special,” Angela says.
WORDS: Abbey Cannan.
Event information:
Mother’s Day Classic Sunshine Coast
When: Sunday, May 10, at 6.30am.
Where: Coopers Lookout, Buddina.
What: 5km walk/run or 10km run.
Register: mothersdayclassic.com.au.
