Sun sets on another successful Flying Brick run

THE Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run has wrapped up another successful event, with hundreds of runners enjoying the conditions between Portarlington and St Leonards.

Held on Saturday afternoon, the seventh edition of the event saw participants take on three distances – the Active Feet Half Marathon, Port Phillip Ferries 10km and the reintroduction of the Community Bank Portarlington and Drysdale Bully Buster 4km.

Organisers believe the course is among the most accessible, flat, scenic and by far the friendliest in Victoria, with holidaymakers cheering participants as they pass through the holiday parks.

Samuel Errikson won the half marathon with a time of 1:17.01, with Max Ueda three minutes behind at 1:20.33 and Ryo Iketani in third at 1:22.47.

Hayley Newman was the first woman back and 11th overall in a time of 1:31.58, followed by Shay Bertino (14th overall) at 1:37.11 and Linda Stanborough (35th overall) at 1:47.41.

Tour de France winner and Barwon Heads resident Cadel Evans has run the half-marathon several times and took part again on Saturday, recording a time of 1:31.19.

“I had a little go, but I’m not as fit as I was two years ago, so it was alright,” he said after the race.

“I’m just happy to be involved again, and for all of us to be back doing events – whether you’re running an event, spectating events, participating in events – it’s just great to be out among people and being safe about it as well.

“I think it was two days after this race two years ago that I got on a plane to Italy and thought ‘what’s this coronavirus thing?’

“I just got back to Australia a month ago, so it’s been nearly two years I’ve been away, and I’ve never been happier to be back.”

The Community Bank Portarlington and Drysdale Bully Buster 4km run is also an important contributor to Bellarine Community Health Youth Services, with awareness and funds raised – more than $25,000 over the years – contributing to their headspace program and the youth on the Bellarine Peninsula.

For full race results in the half marathon and 10km races via Tomato Timing, head to the Bellarine Sunset Run Facebook page.