It'll be mate against mate when still-newly-minted Labor MLAs Michael Pettersson and Bec Cody square off against each other in The Australian Running Festival half-marathon on April 9.
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But Pettersson, a Labor member for Yerrabi, appears to have already capitulated to Cody, a Labor Member for Murrumbidgee, also making it a northside versus southside battle.
"We both ran successfully in the 2016 election, but this is a different kind of race. I think Bec is the odds-on favourite to win – she runs triathlons," Pettersson said.
Both will be raising money for good causes: Pettersson for Karinya House which cares for vulnerable pregnant women, mums and their babies and the Cody the Veterans' Lounge other services at the Canberra Hospital.
The loser will donate a further $100 to the winner's chosen organisation.
"I have been a long time runner and triathlete, I'm hoping this gives me an advantage over Michael's youth, but more importantly I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to raise money to help support Canberra's veterans," Cody said.
The Canberra Hospital Foundation has welcomed Cody's contribution, including to the Veterans' Lounge and other general social services for veterans.
The former hairdresser has focused on veterans as her husband Bruce Paul is a returned serviceman, having served in the army in Iraq.
"He's probably the main reason I've got to know a little more about our veteran community in Canberra and how difficult it can be for them," she said.
"All donations raised through my everyday hero page will be channelled to the Canberra Hospital Foundation to support the veterans accessing services at Canberra Hospital."
Pettersson was happy to be supporting Karinya House, a community-based, not-for-profit organisation which provides services to pregnant and parenting women and their families who are in crisis.
" I think everyone should know about the amazing work Karinya House does supporting women," he said.
Karinya House said as well as the funds, it appreciated "the people who undertake events that will raise awareness of the wonderful women we support and the community services we provide here at Karinya".
The link to Cody's fundraising page is https://runningfestival2017.everydayhero.com/au/bec
and the one to Pettersson's is https://runningfestival2017.everydayhero.com/au/michael-pettersson-mla
