Run according to plan

‘Surf to Surf’? The Balmain Fun Run might not yet have the name recognition of Sydney’s favourite torture test, but this year’s running on October 31 aims to build on the success of 2009’s inaugural event, tracing a picturesque route through the streets and along the shoreline of Callan Park.

“There are events going on all the time around Sydney, like the Iron Cove Bay Run, attracting between 200 and 1,000 people,” said race director John Dawlings. “I’d been thinking for a while it would be worth holding a similar event for the people of Balmain – but last year’s event attracted people from as far away as Kiama, the Central Coast and Canberra, so who knows who we’ll get this time!”

With nearly 600 participants last year, an established profile means organisers are looking to boost this year’s entry to some 800 participants.

The 2-kilometre, 5-kilometre and 10-kilometre courses are designed so that people of all levels of fitness are able to take part. The 2-kilometre course is for primary school children only, with organisers hoping that as many children as possible take the opportunity to walk or run the course. The 5-kilometre course, meanwhile, is designed for a person of normal fitness to be able to comfortably walk or run the distance. The 10-kilometre course is expected to attract the more serious runners, but even in this event, organisers believe there will be plenty of people who simply prefer the extra distance.

The start and finish are located in King George Park, next to the Iron Cove Bridge. The 2-kilometre event will start at 8.30am, with the 5- and 10-kilometre runs kicking off half-an-hour later. After the run there will be drinks, free fruit, a barbecue, a jumping castle, and finishers’ certificates, plus the presentation of trophies and around 50 ‘lucky draw’ prizes.

Further details and entry forms can be obtained from John Dawlings at balmainfunrun@hotmail.com, or from the web at www.balmainfunrun.com. Proceeds from the event go to support Balmain Public School.