Winner, off a long run

By Kath Gannaway
NEXT to the shower, the most prolific environment for good ideas is on the run.
Healesville Hotel owner Michael Kennedy is proof.
The inspiration for the Yarra Valley Grape Run, to be held for the first time on Saturday, came to Michael in just that situation.
“I have taken part in the occasional fun run and the thought came to me when I was out running one day that the Yarra Valley would be an ideal place to hold an event,” Mr Kennedy said.
The Healesville-Yarra Glen Road affords spectacular views and cuts through some of the region’s famous vineyards.
“I felt it was about the right distance and also that it would be a good thing to connect the two towns in some way,” Mr Kennedy said.
There will be two runs (or walks if that’s the chosen pace). The 13.7km event will start at the Yarra Glen Hotel and finish at the Healesville Hotel. The 5.2km event will be from TarraWarra Winery to the Healesville Hotel.
Mr Kennedy said more than 500 people were expected to take part and there was a good feeling that the event could become an annual feature on the Yarra Valley calendar.
Online entries close at 9am on 4 September. Entries will be taken until 8.30am on the day. For details visit www.starttofinish.com.au