The Keepit Commando has become a well known event each year for mental health week, but what does getting sweaty and dirty have to do with emotional well-being?

According to Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co’s (GHFC) Maryanne Perkins, the top three things found in research that can help mental health (other than medication) are exercise, connection and being outdoors.

The Keepit Commando has all three of those things while also being a fundraiser for different groups each year.

“That is why we designed the Keepit Commando,” Maryanne said.

“We had some families in our gym community that were directly affected by suicide a few years ago and we decided to do something locally because there is such a high incidence of it in this region.”

More than 100 runners toughed 4.5km of trail running, a 500m kayak and 3km of a new obstacle course at Keepit’s sport and recreation camp last Saturday morning.

That was all finished up with a well deserving barbecue for strangers to connect and acquaintances to become closer after experiencing the highs and lows of the course.

The Department of Sport and Recreation organised the event while Maryanne designed the course.

Eliza Perkins finished in 1 hour and 49 seconds while Zeb Dillion was less than 2 minutes behind her, winning first and second places respectively. Eliza also took the title of winning female while Zeb was first placed male.

The juniors had Hayden Sawyer as first in the male category (third overall) while Hannah Neale won the female division (seventh overall).

The winning team with a time of 1 hour and 42 minutes was Vision Splendid.

This year, the gym’s mental health activities have raised money for Gunnedah Family Support and is predicted to reach its $15,000 goal.

The organisation was chosen because of the large number of domestic violence cases, the children affected by it and the mental health issues that often surface from that trauma.

“We have so many mental health clients and quite a few ex domestic violence clients, but mental health is a big part of our world – massive,” Maryanne said.

She also gave a shout out to the sponsors of the event that helped make the commando.

Major sponsors were Boggabri Coal, Wholegrain Milling, Whitehaven Coal, Davidson & Cameron, Gunnedah Discount Drug Store. Minor sponsors were Gunnedah Leather Processors, Ultra Fleet, Joe Perkins Building, Vision Splendid, Courthouse Hotel, Railway Hotel and Pro Active Physiotherapy.

“We are so grateful for their support and for their commitment to improving the mental health of our Gunnedah community,” Maryanne said. “A huge thanks to the Lake

Keepit team who were awesome and made it such a well run event.”

Runners full of energy at the start line.

Winning team: Vision Splendid, Lisa Steele, Salome Maxwell, Alison Stuart, Lauren Finlay and Stina Heath.

Winners: First place male Zeb Dillon and female Eliza Perkins.

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