Sunset Run expectations on the rise

THE Bellarine Peninsula will welcome more than 1,000 runners and walkers to the eighth Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run next weekend.

Organisers are preparing for the February 11 Sunset Run, which they hope will bring a pre-COVID sized field.

“As a family we made a commitment through COVID to try to host the Bellarine Sunset Run, it gave people some hope and purpose, it showed resilience,” event manager Dion Milne said.

“Little did we know in 2021, we’d be hit by a snap five-day lockdown after we’d set up.”

Organisers rescheduled 2021’s event, but at a third of the capacity. In 2022, numbers increased to 70 per cent capacity, including new participants who took up walking and running during the lockdowns.

“We might be a little ambitious, but we are hoping that trend continues, and the Bellarine Sunset Run can return to near 1,200 participants, we have planned for that number,” Mr Milne said.

“The event has something for everyone in the family with both a 10 kilometer and half marathon option, enjoying the coastal trail between Portarlington and St Leonards piers.

“Both courses take in the holiday parks where hundreds of spectators line the shores to celebrate those out there on a beautiful Bellarine evening.

“There’s something special about this community, it really is one of the highlights hearing feedback of runners and walkers being cooled off by the hoses from holiday park patrons.”

In addition to the main 21km and 10km routes, there is the Bully Buster 4km route for those not quite ready for the longer tracks.

The Bully Buster race features a distance set up to encourage families to head to Portarlington and help raise awareness and funds for Bellarine Community Health Youth Services.

The Bellarine Sunset Run has raised more than $30,000 for BCH since its inception with more to be added on February 11.

“The event is set up on making sure we have a good family-friendly atmosphere at the finish line… music, food vans and sponsors activations really engage people,” Milne concluded.

“The vibe is chilled, so come and join us.”

For more information or to sign up, head to bellarinesunsetrun.com