Matt Hewson
The North Bellarine will welcome over 1000 runners and walkers when the Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run returns for its eighth edition on Saturday, February 11.
The event provides distance options for all levels of runners, with a half-marathon from Portarlington to St Leonards and back, a 10-kilometre option and the “Bully Buster” 4km run.
The Bully Buster, included to cater to a range of participants from toddlers to great-grandparents, is also intended to raise awareness and funds for Bellarine Community Health (BCH) Youth Services.
Event founder and organiser Dion Milne said since the fundraiser’s inception the Bellarine Sunset Run has raised over $30,000 for BCH.
“For the four kilometre event it’s $5 for kids 12 and under, and that’s just to get more kids out there and promote exercise and its benefits for mental health,” Mr Milne said.
“So we have hundreds of kids run nearly for free, they get a medal and a bib, and they get to feel that pride of running through the finish line.”
Held in February, the 2020 Sunset Run preceded the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its 2021 and 2022 editions were impacted severely by lockdowns and restrictions.
Mr Milne said while numbers were still a little down from pre-pandemic levels he was hopeful the remaining weeks before the event would see an influx of participants.
“We would usually have a hundred or two more at this point, but I think COVID’s changed the way people do things,” he said.
“People are holding off later on making decisions and spending money, they’re not planning so far in advance.
“As it gets closer, we’re hoping to see a bit of a rush towards the end and sell out. But there will probably still be on-day entries available.”
Mr Milne said the event was a great opportunity for new runners to try their hand at longer distances.
“It’s reasonably flat, being next to the water, and there’s plenty of support bases, the caravan parks, and support from the crowd,” he said.
“Some events, you can run for kilometres and not see anyone. But here there’s the ability for family and friends to bunny-hop around the course and cheer their loved ones on.
“Quite often people come for a first half-marathon or first 10 kilometre run, and they say how important the support from everyone was.”
The event will also feature music and food vans at the finish line. For registrations or more information go to www.bellarinesunsetrun.com.
