How it started
The origins of the Farm to Pub began at the 2003 Melbourne Half-Marathon. In a result that shocked the world (well at least the Joyce family), Philip Joyce broke his brother-in-law Gerald McCarthy's heart on Beach Rd, surging ahead to finish ahead of him at the Albert Park finish.
Seeing how Gerald was itching for a rematch, Damien Joyce said lets have a race at Christmas time, starting at the farm and finishing at the Willaura Pub. And so on Boxing Day 2003, the Farm to Pub was born.
The early years
A small but loyal band of entrants took part in the early years. Willaura families like the Joyce's, Brewis', Heard's and McRae's figured prominently on the starters list. And a number of players from the Brunswick NOBs football club used it as a pre-season event, whilst a group of families - the "Strathmore Social Set" got behind the event in a big way, camping out on the front lawn next to the original starting line.
In 2005 & 2006 the event was ran on a Saturday morning, but to make it easier for day-trippers in 2007 it was changed to a late Saturday afternoon start time.
Christian's have been long-time & invaluable supporters of the event. It started with a Sandy Lane Warrior, Tim Frampton, who worked at Christian's and as entry numbers grew and the logistics of getting to the start line became more complex, Tim stepped in & supplied a bus to get people to the various start lines. Even if it meant dealing with a bus bogged in the mud!! An invaluable service of 15+ years!
Christian's get on the bus
The Farm to Pub was one of the most enjoyable things we did with our kids and friends (the Strathmore Social Set) back in the day. Very memorable.
Karen Thomas
★★★★★