By KATH GANNAWAY
WARBURTON Up and Running is once again gearing up for a field of hundreds for the event which has become a must-do for families and novice and more serious runners.
The 2016 event will be half on Sunday, 28 February, starting at the Warburton Recreation Reserve.
Organised by a volunteer committee and with profits going to the local CFA and SES, is on track to match or better last year’s participation numbers of 700 according to committee member Michael Alter.
“It’s shaping up to be another great event for the town and for the runners,” he said.
Warburton Up and Running is a family fun run with events including the kids’ dash, 2km kids’ run, 5km walk, 5km run, 10km run and half marathon.
A new team competition has been included this year with prizes for the team with the greatest aggregate distance and one randomly drawn from all the teams.
One of the drawcards for locals and for visitors is the course itself, tracking along the Yarra River and for the half marathon heading out to Big Pats Creek and into the State Forest.
Millgrove runner, Tim Lefel, is a first-time entry into the half marathon which is expected to have a field of between 200 and 250 runners.
“I’ve set a goal, which is to finish,” he said of the 21.5 kilometre event that is rated as ‘challenging’ by Alter.
Alter is part of a group which regularly tests out the courses, including the half marathon.
“It’s a beautiful but challenging course,” he said.
“We try to run as well so we’re in tune with what we’re putting our runners through.”
Participants will have lots of ‘take aways’ from the event that has become a memory-maker for everyone from family groups to novice and experienced runners.
In addition to the cash prizes, every finisher will receive a show bag packed with some great stuff, including discount vouchers for local businesses.
This year the committee has added a special, lasting souvenir of the event for runners in the 5km, 10km and the half-marathon, a stainless-steel water bottle.
Alter said they were looking at something everyone could use and which would fit in with Warburton’s strong environmental credentials.
“What we are trying to do is not only give people the experience on the day, but something of value to take away that promotes Warburton and what it represents.
“A plastic bottle was out of the question, so we went with stainless steel,” he said.
All finishers of the half marathon also get a commemorative medal.
All events start at the Warburton Recreation Reserve where there will also be stalls, food and drink and activities for the kids.
The committee is encouraging entry on line, but there will also be entry on the day with the walk/runs scheduled to take off from 7.15am.
For full details visit www.warburtonupandrunning.com.au
