Dean Hopkinson, Ella Hopkinson and Stephen Head show off their winning medals. By Monique Ebrington
MORE than 200 entrants ran, jogged and walked their way through Warburton for the fifth annual Up and Running Fun Run last Sunday 15 March.
Organiser Lesley Grimes said she was glad rain held off so locals and visitors could enjoy the fun run that was this year aimed at boosting morale in the Yarra Valley.
“I think it was a great crowd considering, first, we didn’t even think it would run two weeks ago and, second, because of the storm the night before,” Ms Grimes said.
“To see all the smiling faces and people holding hands across the line and the minute silence – I think the day really raised the morale of the Valley.”
Visitors enjoyed the chance of winning luxury accommodation packages and medals, however, it was the beauty of the scenery Ms Grimes said people would remember.
“There’s hardly any races anymore that are predominantly off-road and that have such wonderful scenery and that run along the Yarra River,” she said.
Susi Wilson was just one of the regular entrants happy to return each year for the picturesque circuit.“I really like the scenery here. I’m really glad Warburton is safe and I’m really glad it wasn’t affected by the fires,” she said.
Dark clouds may have been the inspiration for several records being broken on the day. Winner Mark Tucker broke his previous course record in the 10km run
For the last two years Stephen Head has come second in the 2km run for children 14-years-old and under. This year he said it felt pretty good being the first boy across the line and plans to retain his title at next year’s Up and Running Fun Run.
