Runners taking part in the Fat Farmers River Run at this year’s LambEx conference. Photo: LambEx

AS the sheep industry gathered in the country’s wine capital earlier this month, a break off group was up before the sun and running down the River Torrens.

Adelaide’s LambEx conference was partnering with an organisation called Fat Farmers to inspire “fitness and fellowship” during one of the industry’s biggest social outings.

Its main goal was to have 100 out of the 1500 delegates participate in a five-kilometre run on the second morning of the conference – that goal was exceeded with 150 delegates showing up for a quick run through the heart the Adelaide.

Fat Farmers is a charity that has grown over the past 12 years and subsidises groups of farmers to hold regular exercise sessions in rural areas.

“A lot the groups are based around a gym or a fitness facility, because the structure and the equipment are there,” general manager Michael Williams said.

“We have a couple of towns that don’t have a gym, so they either go for a walk together or meet on an oval to do a group session.

“It could be a mini bootcamp, strength class, we have couple of Pilates classes and some go for a walk or a run together. It is not hardcore intensive training, it is about encouraging people to participate and catering to all levels of fitness.”

Fat Farmers was started in 2012 by a group of farmers – Greg Hean, Ben Wundersitz and Scott Hoyle – from South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula who started going to a new local gym. The goal was to avoid being “fat farmers” who were over 40 and no longer playing football.

The charity has been adding more training groups in towns further afield from the Yorke Peninsula. It is now hosting 18 fitness groups primarily in Yorke & Eyre Peninsulas, the Mid North Region, plus more recently in Millicent, Kangaroo Island, Lismore VIC, Moama NSW and WA.

Poll Dorset breeder Isabele Roberts and Sheep Central correspondent Eric Barker before the Fat Farmers run at LambEx.

The organisation puts willing participants in touch with a team organiser or assist a potential group with subsidies for things like gym memberships or other hire fees.

Mr Williams said the exercise groups provided another regular meeting place in rural areas where options are limited.

“The real thing is about connection; it is getting them together each week to do a bit of exercise, having a laugh, keeping active and catching up with other people,” he said.

“Farming can be quite isolating at times, so the regular social interaction is great for mental health and managing things like anxiety.

“Some farmers sit on their tractors for 12 hours a day, then go home and eat and sleep. But if their mates are encouraging them to catch up for an activity, it is bound make them feel better. People don’t go to the pub as much anymore for a variety of reasons, this is just another option.”

If you are interested in joining a group or starting a group in your Town, make contact with Michael and his team via their website fatfarmers.com

• If you know of another rural exercise group or event that caters for exercise put it in the comments below.