OUR RUNNING FESTIVAL

Continues to Grow

Sponsored by the Mount Beauty and District Community Bank, the Mount Beauty Marathon has grown and evolved over the last 40 or so years to the point where it is now known as the Mount Beauty Community Bank Running Festival.

This, the 42nd staging of the Running Festival will be based at the Les Peart Oval, next to the swimming pool, this Saturday 20th May. The Running Festival, originally called the Marathon then Half Marathon, was first run by a group of committed local runners in 1980.

The event is now run by the Kangaroo Hoppet (with the help of many locals and community groups) and will be the only running event held in the local area this year. The event will include the normal 3km, 10km and a longer Trail Running aspect. Entrants in the 3km do a lap of the pondage with participants divided between competitive running and pleasant walking at a more social pace. The 10km course goes out to Damms Road and enjoys some gently undulating terrain. The 21km event up Mountain Creek Road has been discontinued – denying runners the beautiful views over the Kiewa Valley.

For the second time this year’s event includes a new trail run that has been designed by long-time local runner Bob Flower. Incorporating the iconic Survey Track, the new 14km course has two river

FoodWorks &Mt Beauty

crossings (only shallow water!) and some great hilly terrain for the adventure minded. Trail running is a great way to stay active and be engaged with the great environment that surrounds us in the Kiewa Valley.

The event is generously supported by the Mt Beauty and District Community Bank and without their support the event would struggle to survive. The organising committee has noted that organising events is becoming increasingly expensive and administratively burdensome and the support from local community organisations is critical to the long-term success of the event.

As with previous events there will be a lot of support from the Rotary Club of Mount Beauty, the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed, St Johns Ambulance, our local FoodWorks and the Mount Beauty Play Group.

A special thanks to Major Road Projects Victoria who are currently delivering the Bogong High Plains Road Landslip rectification works, their delivery partner Whelans Group Investments and Alpine Shire Council for helping to secure traffic personnel for the event!

Entries are cheap and online at www. alpinetiming.com.au or further information can be found at www.hoppet.com.au. Late entries will be accepted on the day in the Mount Beauty Swimming Pool foyer.

All ages and fitness levels are welcomed so please come and enjoy the running with us on Saturday 20th

And if you have a family member in the event, but are not running yourself, there is a lot to do and enjoy on the Les Peart Oval including the coffee cart and home-made goodies stall. •