THE ninth running of the One Forty One Plantations Blue Lake Fun Run attracted more than 1100 entrants and has been labelled a “huge success” by the Lakes Rotary Club.
Hosted by the service club, the event was well supported by the local community, with people of all ages participating in the run over varying distances – 10.4km, 6.8km and 3.2km.
Despite blustery conditions, runners charged up Bay Road to set the pace among other competitors when the gun sounded to start each category.
Lakes Rotary Club fun run committee member Trevor Williams said he was “very pleased” with the community’s engagement with the event.
“Word is getting around that this is truly a family fun run and it is starting to attract so many different people,” he said.
“We had a lot of schools and families participate, which was great.
“It was amazing to see so many people pushing strollers.”
With stormy weather threatening the event on Sunday, Mr Williams was relieved to see the event run smoothly.
“It was such a great success – thankfully the weather held off.”
New technology played a major role in the success of the event this year.
Chips inside each runner’s vest were able to track competitors in real-time, which allowed the announcer to update onlookers on the state of the race.
“We had a sensor up near the Blue Lake, which would send information back to an iPad at the finishing line to show when each runner passed it,” Mr Williams said.
“We already have plans to place the sensor closer to the finish-line to allow the late stages of the run to be called.”
As plans for next year’s fun run are already under way, Mr Williams is hopeful this year’s winner – Bouchaib Chefnaoui – can attract more runners to the event.
“It was great that we had a winner from Melbourne because he loved the course and said he will tell all his friends about it,” Mr Williams said.
“The event clashed with a few other competitive running events in Adelaide this year, so hopefully next year we can bring even more people into the town.”
The event also raised significant funds for various organisations with donations handed out at the conclusion of the event to the Limestone Coast Domestic Violence Service, South East Junction, Lifeboat SA and Mount Gambier City Council’s Christmas appeal.
“It’s great to see this money go back into the community and our sponsors are the ones who make it possible,” Mr Williams said.
“Hopefully next year we can get even more sponsors on board.”
