Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
RUNNERS and walkers of all fitness abilities will flock to one of the city’s biggest tourism hotspots tomorrow for the annual Blue Lake Fun Run.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, more than 700 participants are expected to take part in the highly anticipated event.
Lakes Rotary Club representative Trevor Williams said numbers were expected to be on par with previous events.
“We had a bit of a slow start which we see every year, but it has picked up since then,” he said.
“We expect numbers will be comparable.
“I am not sure whether the previous winners will be entering this year, so we might see some new faces.”
With OneFortyOne naming sponsors of the event, the forestry company’s electrical technician Andrew Burston said he looked forward to the social aspect of the event, running the 6.8km route.
“This is my second time as I did it last year, but this year I will be running with my wife Leesa,” he said.
“I am a regular runner and I participate in the park run each week, which has basically been my preparation.
“I enjoy the social side of running and I think I still do it with a smile on my face.”
Mr Burston said he liked how the event was accessible to a variety of different groups and abilities.
“You have people who are pushing others in wheelchairs and prams and I know a few disability support groups have had a team enter previously,” he said.
“It does not matter whether you walk or run, you are able to participate.”
OneFortyOne pioneer Linda Cotterill said she had ran most of the events over the years.
“I can remember the first run when I pushed my son in the pram through the 10.4km course,” Ms Cotterill said.
“This year, he will run with me and will not be in the pram.
“I am definitely looking forward to it.”
OneFortyOne representative Candice Fennell said the event reflected the core qualities of the business.
“We like to look at ourselves as being sustainable in the forest and timber industry, but also as sustainable community contributors,” Ms Fennell said.
“I love that OneFortyOne are sponsors and people can see we are more than a timber a forestry based business.”
Mr Williams encouraged members of the community to participated and invited people from outside the area to run or walk the course.
“Every single penny raised from the event goes back into the community,” Mr Williams said.
“No funds go into a national pool, it all stays here.
“We thank the many sponsors which make this event happen each year.”
Participants can collect their bibs from the Mount Gambier Library veranda from 12am to 4pm on Saturday.
The event will be held on Sunday starting at 7:15am in the Cave Gardens.
Runners will be called to the starting line, beginning with the 10.4km runners, followed by the 6.8km and 3.2km participants.
