Perth Crew Merchandise

The story of how Perth Crew chose RED as our colour goes back to the pre-season of Round 1 2011 for Mish's 12wbt. Mish & Commando came to Perth for a book signing & Biggest Loser tour & we were figuring out how we would find each other so decided we'd all wear one colour, and seeing as Mish's Biggest Loser team was red that sealed the deal!

We then totally ROCKED out at the Round 1 2011 12wbt Finale in Melbourne debuting our Perth Crew shirts! There wasn't many of us at that finale...but here we are...

From there the SEA OF RED grew and grew at finales and local fun run events in Perth. Our "blinglets" as they have fondly become known as were then debuted at the Sydney finale in Round 3 2011 with "It's the Perth Crew RUN" on the back which was a quote from Mish when referring to how crazy we are (in a GOOD way right Mish?!!). Maybe us arriving en masse at finales like this had something to do with it?!

MANY a time one of us has been walking or running around the river and seen another red top or cap and stop to say hi, and there is nothing better than doing a fun run and seeing another Perth Crew person and finding that extra strength to keep on going!!

The truly AMAZING Sally Wegener looks after all of our Perth Crew merchandise, and has done so from the very beginning. You can now purchase singlets, blinglets, t-shirts, caps & visors!

Singlets & Tees are $30. They have "JFDI 12wbt" on the front, and "Perth Crew" on the back.

Blinglets are $40. They have "Perth Crew" in diamontes on the front, and "It's Perth Crew RUN - www.12wbt.com.au" on the back. 

And the caps & visors are $15. The cap has "Perth Crew" on the front and "JFDI" on the back and the visor has "Perth Crew" on the front. 

To place an order, check out "Perth Crew Gear Orders" in the "Files" section of the Facebook group. Go Perth Crew, INSPIRE & BE INSPIRED!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

The Melbourne Marathon - Moira's Story

The Melbourne Marathon is an iconic running event and it celebrated its 35th anniversary this year. Five Perth Crew members were part of a 300 plus contingent that travelled over from Perth to participate in this exciting event – Andrea Bell (marathon), Karin Smith (first-time marathon), Leanne Bank (half marathon), me (first-time half marathon) and Sarah Stopher (injured but still ran 5.7 km). More than 32,000 entries were received across the five events and Melbourne turned on a near perfect day with warm but still conditions - reaching a balmy 22 degrees. 

After having spent the Saturday day preparing our gear, taping up knees, picking up race bibs, hydrating, getting nervous, carbing up…….all of us were down at the MCG early on race day. There were so many emotions and nerves but we were all excited to be at the “G” and see it all set up for the event ahead.

Hot air balloons in the morning

My knee all taped up

First off at 7 am were the marathoners. Sarah and I escorted Karin Smith to the starting line on Batman Avenue. There were hot air balloons everywhere and a fantastic atmosphere. Karin was so nervous but she had worked so hard and despite a last minute health scare for her leg, she was ready and with one last hug we said “see you for lunch” and off she went. We KNEW once she started that she would make it to the end. I’m not sure she was so convinced but we certainly were. Once the marathoners had left – my nerves really hit. I had an hour to get myself prepared, my bag dropped off, a last loo stop, a warm up and a stretch etc. Then it was down to the start line for me too.

The start was really exciting. There were quite literally 1000’s of runners heading towards the city then past Flinders St station and onto St Kilda Road. I was pumped!!! After about 4 km, I pulled back my pace and let the excitement settle and started taking it all in. St Kilda Road is magnificent. The Arts Centre, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Botanic Gardens, Commercial Road and up to the Junction…….the heart of Melbourne. As we ran up St Kilda Road towards the junction, the half marathoners started to cheer because the leading marathon runners were heading back towards the G (they had already done close to 30 km). It was so inspiring to see these guys, the focus in their eyes was amazing and they were running faster than I can sprint. I was struck by the incredible spirit, camaraderie and support that all the runners were showing to each other. 

By the time I got around Albert Park Lake and was back on St Kilda Road, I was starting to fatigue a little. Suddenly I felt an arm come around my shoulder and it was Andrea Bell saying to me “you can do this”! This was one of those classic Perth Crew moments and it felt like a warm hug enveloping me. I could do nothing but whimper as Andrea charged off to finish her marathon. She looked back a bit worried but I was fine and it was JUST the boost I needed to JFDI. Eventually I hit the 20km mark and there were photographers everywhere so time to get my “sexy on”, get the sunnies off and start flashing a few good smiles!! One last down hill bit and it was into the “G”……my goal was to be upright when I ran across the line and that I did!  I ran into the G - OMG OMG OMG!! Time to stop and give my legs a good slapping (literally) so I could still walk and wait for everyone else.


We were getting updates on Karin’s progress and we knew she was not far away. Unbeknown to us – Andrea Bell had gone back to the course (after running 42.195 km) and found Karin and ran the last km with her. The emotions were flowing thick and fast for Karin and to have Andrea with her on that last bit was another amazing Perth Crew moment. Karin crossed the line knowing she had done it – she had run a marathon!!! 

Karin getting her Marathon Medal

We all did it!! It was a special day and a special race with a little pirate and a little angel watching over us as we ran.

Karin & I

Karin & Sarah

Sarah did a PB, Karin and I “popped our cherry” for the full and half marathon and Leanne and Andrea smashed it. Throughout the event, we were getting a stream of messages and posts from Perth (and beyond!) wishing us luck and cheering us home – I love Perth Crew!

Written by Moira Clay, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

You can read Karin's marathon story here!

The Melbourne Marathon - Karin's Story

At approximately 12.15pm EST on 14^th October 2012 I crossed the finish line of the Melbourne Marathon. This was my first but hopefully not my last marathon. The battle to get there was not only a physical but a mental one. The feeling of self-accomplishment was overwhelming to say the least! Being an avid football fan the fact that I was going to be running onto the haloed grounds of the MCG was reason enough to be nervous. Add to the fact that I firstly had to run 42.195kms just heightened my anxiety.

My training programme was slightly unorthodox as I didn’t have a coach and was really just picking up information as I requested it from Perth Crew marathoner Andrea Bell and the guys at The Running Centre.  Added to the mix was a trip to Bali 5 weeks out from marathon and then a couple of very nasty infected mosquito bites that threatened to destroy my dreams of obtaining this goal. Seventeen days of antibiotics and NO running at 3 weeks out meant my final long runs of 32kms had to be missed. I had a great cheer squad with the Perth Crew that was silently praying to the gods of all religions, and the universe in general, to just fix me.  Eight days out and I did a test run of 25 minutes through Kings Park with Sarah Stopher and I’m not sure who was happier that neither of us broke. I continued to do a 6-7kms run every day until Friday morning just to remind my leg muscles that they were going to need to move a long way for me on Sunday!

On Friday evening after a 45min delay Moira Clay, Sarah Stopher and myself left on a plane bound for Melbourne. Thankfully my travel companions calmed and reassured me as the self-doubt demons in my head were screaming at the tops of their lungs. Saturday morning was a trip into the Expo to pick up my bib and absorb some of the magic that is the Melbourne Marathon Festival. A bit of stress relief shopping and a lovely late lunch did stop the nerves for a while. Saturday evening was a last check of clothes, fuel belts, and setting alarms for the big day ahead.  Thank goodness there was some Perth Crew up and on facebook at midnight as by 3am Melbourne time I wasn’t sleeping anymore and my room-mate was still in the land of nod.

With Moira & Sarah - Life is a Gift

At the start line

We arrived at the “G” at just before 6am. Saying we were nervous would have been the understatement of the century! We were all heading into unknown territory. Sarah’s battles with injury had her just wanting to finish unbroken. Moira was lining up for her first half marathon just 13 short months since being proud as punch for running 2kms straight after Brisbane Finale, and I was attempting to squash a life time of feelings of self-doubt and  failure by finishing something I had started.

There were many highlights along the way but one of the most memorable was at the 41km mark. Two Perth Crew members, Leanne Bank and Andrea Bell were walking towards me. Here were two people who had inspired me to run further than I ever dreamed I could and they were there cheering me! Andrea then stunned me by handing her gear to Leanne and saying she was going to run me into the MCG. After already running the marathon herself I saw this as one of the most selfless acts anyone had ever done for me. She knew my nerves would threaten to engulf me as I neared the finish and she guided me towards the line. I will never forget it. 

Flinders Street

St Kilda Road

Today I can say these words. “I am a Marathon Finisher. I completed the 42.195kms course”.  I only have one message for anyone beginning their journey to a fitter, healthier lifestyle….JFDI!

With Andrea & Sarah

I did it!

  Written by Karin Smith, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

Stay tuned for Moira's story about her half marathon adventure, and you can check out more photos of the Perth Crew team on the day on our Facebook page by clicking here!