More than 200 Port Macquarie tradies have come together for a community run aimed at encouraging local workers to make more time for their mental health and wellbeing.
The tradies gathered at Petrie’s Mitre 10 Port Macquarie yesterday morning for the Mitre 10 4:01 Club event, joining former electrician and ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann and former GWS player Cooper Hamilton.
The local turnout surpassed the more than 160 tradies who took part in a Brisbane event last week following National Tradies Day.
Port Macquarie participants swapped their tools for running shoes for a 30-minute run before gathering for breakfast and conversations about looking after themselves and their mates.
Now in its second year, the 4:01 Club was established by Mitre 10 in response to research highlighting the challenges tradies face in prioritising their wellbeing.
Research commissioned by Mitre 10 found 84 per cent of tradies surveyed had experienced mental health challenges, while 75 per cent agreed work negatively affected their ability to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing.
One in five respondents reported experiencing suicidal thoughts as a result of work-related challenges.
The research also found 83 per cent of tradies did not exercise regularly or as much as they would like.
The 4:01 Club takes its name from traditional tradie knock-off time and encourages workers to use time around work for themselves, whether by exercising, catching up with a mate or taking time to reset.
Brockmann, who worked as an electrician before becoming an endurance athlete, has been involved with the initiative since its launch in 2025.
He was joined in Port Macquarie by Hamilton, who became a 4:01 Club ambassador this year, and mental health charity Speak & Share.
Speak & Share has partnered with the initiative since its inception, providing practical resources aimed at helping tradies talk about mental health and check in with their mates.
More than 15,000 tradies have accessed resources provided through the program this year, according to organisers.
The Port Macquarie event was the second stop in the latest 4:01 Club run series, following Brisbane, with another event scheduled for Perth on Thursday, October 1.
The initiative uses runs, workshops and resources to encourage tradies to prioritise movement, connection and conversations about mental health in their everyday lives.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.