Doing it tough for those who are doing it tough.

Robert Karacic and his team limber up ahead of the Point to Pinnacle half marathon.

The Knight Frank Point to Pinnacle is a half marathon run and recreational walk that starts at Wrest Point Car Park, winds through the city of Hobart before culminating at the pinnacle of Mount Wellington. The course is 21.1km long and just over 1,270 metres in elevation. This race is physically challenging and scenically stunning.

Although it is billed as “Australia’s toughest half marathon”, it hasn’t discouraged Robert Karacic and his dedicated team of family and friends competing each year and raising money for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Loui’s Vans.

While Vinnies staff, members, and volunteers have run or walked the course in the past, in 2022, the Society entered as Team Vinnies – complete with Team shirts. Eleven Vinnies staff (and family members) joined the team for a great day of awareness, support for the less fortunate, and some camaraderie. It was such a success; some members of Team Vinnies have been inspired to make it to the top next year; but that is only half the story.

In 2018 a group of friends formed Loui’s Legends as a way to raise funds for Vinnies’ Loui’s Van service as a way to support a local charity that had a direct positive impact on people in their community.

While some of Loui’s Legends have come and gone over the years, the founding members Rob & Kris Karacic and Tyson Clements have continually dragged themselves up the mountain each year as part of the Point to Pinnacle event; and what a significant partnership it has been.

All told, Loui’s Legends have raised close to $34,000 over the years – with more to come. This includes $6,441 – and counting – raised this year. All funds raised in the Point to Pinnacle by Loui’s Legends will be used to fund food and supplies for Vinnies’ Loui’s Vans in and around Hobart.

This is such a great effort by all especially Loui’s Legends who have really been the inspiration behind Team Vinnies forming a team. The highlight from the event this year is definitely the achievement of conference president at St Mary’s Cathedral, Norm Andrews, who ran the whole course to the top and won his division (1 of 1), the Men’s 75-79. Former Society member, Ian Harrington, also deserves an honourable mention for being the only man to walk to the top in the 80-85 year old division.

Well done to all and thank you to Loui’s Legends for this commitment and generosity.

_{Media contact, Mark Wells: +61 414 015 966 (24-hours)
© St Vincent de Paul Society and MWPA.}