By Alexander Darling
There are plenty of tricks in a circus performer's repertoire – tumbling, tightrope, juggling, hula hoops – but running isn't usually one of them.
Yet Westside Circus school in Brunswick now plans to add that feather to its cap, as CEO Simon Clarke and student Grace prepare to run the 5km in The Sunday Age City2Sea, presented by Westpac.
Simon Clarke, CEO of Westside circus, with student Grace Robins and Emily Sofkovska, regional general manager of Westpac.Credit: Eddie Jim
Westside is a youth program that helps people under 25s learn life skills through circus activities.
"Through overcoming the physical challenges of circus people build their self- esteem and self-confidence and physical prowess," Clarke says. "There's also a lot of leadership and teamwork involved in circus."
Westside recently received a $10,000 grant from Westpac as part of its national Community Grants Program, and Clarke says running City2Sea is Westside's way of saying thanks.
"The funding they've given us has helped our work engaging people in northern Moreland," he explains. "We want to develop a secondary troupe and engage with the 12-16-year-old bracket in a multicultural area."
Grace joined Westside two years ago at 15 already has eight years of circus experience under her belt.
"I've met so many new people being here," she said. "There's such a range of people here that I couldn't possibly know otherwise, and they bring such a different perspective in the way that I perform, and it's increasingly getting better."
While she's never run like this before, Grace is confident her circus training will give her an advantage in preparing for the run.
"It helps me get my physical ability higher than it would normally be. With circus acts, you're training your whole body – upper and lower – to be strong."
Joining Grace and Clarke on the day is Emily Sofkovska, regional general manager at Westpac, who nominated Westside for the grant.
Clarke hopes other runners take an interest in Westside's story on the day of the run, and has plans for how to make the day a memorable one.
"We'll try and not be shy about it. I'm not sure how much costume I can convince Emily to get into, but wait and see: there might be a few clowns running the 5k length."