Hail the Gladiator!

Hail the Gladiator in Glass House

Who said running can’t be a whole lot of fun? Well-known Glass House Mountains local and trail running event organiser Brett Standring from Run Queensland is inviting all locals to Fresca Market and Café to celebrate National Italian Day by being a part of their Roman Empire inspired event on Sunday June 2.

“Embrace your inner gladiator and come along to the festival-style event,” Brett said.

“In collaboration with the good folk at Fresca Café on Steve Irwin Way at Glass House Mountains, there will be food, games and, of course, The Gladiator run to conquer.”

The Gladiator is a trail run for runners of all ages and abilities.

Novices can take the VIII kilometre (… that’s Roman numerals for eight) run starting at the Fresca ‘colosseum’, through the ‘Octavian’ forests along Tibrogargan Creek and back – mostly a nice flat run.

The more spirited centurion can tackle Goliath, a XV kilometre (… fifteen) run through the forests, along Tibrogargan Creek to where you will be challenged to defeat the colossus that is Goliath (or Wild Horse Mountain). Then it’s a return run to the colosseum to revel in your victory.

“We wanted to create an iconic event for the area but one where locals can easily get involved and just have some fun too,” Brett said.

“We are so lucky to have such a fantastic venue as Fresca Market and Café, where Kristina and the team are just so welcoming … and they create some of the most amazing Italian delights

you’ll find anywhere on the coast. Plus we can help the Sunshine Coast Italian community celebrate National Italian Day as well.

“We’re hoping locals will join in the fun of the day by entering The Gladiator run dressed in Roman attire but it’s not compulsory, so don’t feel you have to,” Brett said.

“After the run, there will be events, games and plenty of food available. It will be a fantastic day for all the family, as well as a great social event for groups, clubs, fitness classes or just a bunch of friends.”

To enter the run, you need to register by going to www.runqld.com.au/thegladiator - but be quick as registration closes at midnight on May 31. No entries will be accepted on the day.

The runs start at 8.30am on Sunday, June 2, with fun events and activities all morning, into lunch and beyond.

Run Queensland also hosts the internationally acclaimed Blackall 100 trail run as well as other events locally such as Beerwah @ Daybreak and Beerwah @ Night.