Hundreds take on the Bellarine Sunset Run

AFTER facing delays, this year’s Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run took off with four hundred competitors.

The event usually attracts more than 1,000 runners but had a reduced capacity as a result of the snap Victorian lockdown, which saw the race cancelled one hour before handing out bibs.

Event manager Dion Milne said they decided to reschedule five weeks later but several refunds had to be provided.

The March 20 event still attracted a talented pool of competitors with interstate runners competing. “We had people come down from Queensland, who can come down the first time and then returned,” Mr Milne said.

In previous years the event has generated half a million dollars for the region with runners being encouraged to stay on the Bellarine Peninsula.

“We felt obliged to still hold something even though a lot of events would have cancelled after the heartbreak of the lockdown,” Mr Milne said.

“We felt like we owed it to the region and to the people.”

While the race maintained its charm and breath taking panoramic views of the You Yangs and Melbourne city over the coast, it took a different approach.

Competitors had the choice between a 10km run or half marathon with the usual 4km charity event absent from the line up to abide by COVIDSafe guidelines.

Under COVID-19 rules, runners were directed to wear a mask for the first 200 metres before competitors could begin to socially distance.

“It was pretty special to be able to say ‘Look at the Bellarine, we are still doing the right thing’,” Mr Milne said.

The big winners on the day came from Ocean Grove with three out of four Sunset run champions residing in the coastal town.

Both Port Phillip Ferries 10km winners resided in Ocean Grove with Erica Fountain and Nick Wightman taking out the race.

Women’s Active Feet Half Marathon winner was Ocean Grove local Danni Rogan while Max Ueda took out the men’s race.

Mr Milne said despite the success, they looked forward to returning to normal in 2022. “We will be concentrating on going ahead next February.”