Sunset Run laces up for February start

THERE is a little over a month until the eighth edition of the Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run, and the final preparations are being locked in.

The popular running and walking event on February 11 will feature its three usual courses – 4km, 10km and Half-Marathon – and is expected to draw a big crowd of participants after having smaller fields because of COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years.

“Leading into Christmas, it was heading towards those pre-COVID registration numbers of 1,200,” organiser Dion Milne said.

“We are probably going to fall somewhere between the numbers we got last year and pre-COVID – I don’t think we’ll quite return to pre-COVID, but we’re hoping to.

“Registrations will be open right up until the day… I’m looking forward to it and pretty excited, we’re locking in the suppliers, it starts to ramp up for sure.”

He said the medals for the three runs would arrive this week.

“Some people are happy just to run for personal satisfaction, but there’s a lot of people out there who do like that reward to hang it on the fridge, or wherever. Everyone can get one of those, from 4km through to 21km [Half Marathon].”

The Bellarine Sunset Run has introduced a colourful singlet design for 2023 by popular request, inspired by the singlets from the first event in 2016.

“We really like the brightness and the vibrancy and thought it really reflected what kind of event we wanted to have at the time, having not had an event,” Mr Milne said.

“We know a bit more now, seven or eight years later – we’ve learnt a lot over the journey; little things like singlet designs, caps, and prices.

“A lot of people have been asking for it [the singlets] for the last few years, so give the people what they want!”

The Bully Buster 4km route will start from Bellarine Sunset Run HQ in front of the Portarlington Pier, then make its way in the opposite direction to the runs heading 2km towards Point Richards along the Bellarine Coastal Trail, before turning back at the miniature railway.

The Port Phillip Ferries 10km course covers the back half of the half marathon course, with a point-to-point trail starting at 5.20pm from St Leonards Pier through Indented Head and finishing at the Portarlington Pier.

The Active Feet Half Marathon begins at the Portarlington Pier around 5.20pm, with runners making their way to the St Leonards pier, passing through the Indented Head foreshore and then returning to the start line.

For more information or to register, head to bellarinesunsetrun.com