A ban on strollers has scuppered Robyn Mackay's plans to enter the Orca Women's Challenge with daughter Chloe. Photo / Kenny Rodger
A mother has accused the organisers of a women's fun run of discrimination because they will not allow her to compete with her baby stroller.
Robyn Mackay, a training manager from Parnell, and her 7-month-old daughter, Chloe, wanted to take part in the 2007 Orca Women's Challenge.
But
she was told the race rules prohibited the use of strollers - a measure she says is ridiculous because many women from the local area jog with their prams.
The event is expecting a lineup of about 3500 to tackle the eight-kilometre course stretching from from Newmarket to Mission Bay.
The event attracts all ages - the oldest participant is 91 - with both fun runners and the elite chasing the top prize of $1000.
The course record is a brisk 25 minutes 29 seconds set by American Melody Fairchild.
"For what's called a women's challenge, it seems to be out of sorts if the primary caregiver can't take her baby for a run," Ms Mackay said.
The rule means she won't be able to run because her partner works on Sundays and she has no one totake care of her baby.
"I know there are serious runners involved but you would think they would be able to run past a woman pushing a stroller.
"I wouldn't say it's discriminatory but it's definitely disappointing," she said.
Event director and former 5000m world recordholder Dick Quax said strollers were allowed in previous races but were now banned, along with skateboards, rollerblades and dogs, as a safety measure.
"What we have always told people about baby strollers is they should start at the back of the field for their own safety, the safety of other runners and of course that of the baby which should be the primary concern."
He said these instructions were often ignored in the past and created difficulties for other runners.
"When you have 3500 people coming together like that, it starts getting dangerous," said Mr Quax. "Quite frankly I don't want to have the injury of a baby or another competitor on our hands."
Ms Mackay suggested that the race organisers try staggered start times in the same way the Round the Bays run separates the fast runners from the slower ones.
