Sunset Run on the horizon as registrations open

REGISTRATIONS have officially opened for next year’s Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run.

The February 11, 2023, event at Portarlington Pier will be the eighth instalment of the run with event co-organiser Dion Milne expecting the run to be back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

“The excitement is definitely brewing,” Mr Milne said.

“Having already spoken to Lyndsay Sharp from Flying Brick Cider, it looks like we will be a bit more pre-COVID normal I suppose with a little less caution around restrictions relating to the pandemic.

“Seeing major events around the region back in full swing like for instance, recently, The Geelong Cup and White Night, people are getting back to a normal event life.

“Now we’re hoping to bring in some of our old numbers at around 1,200 people, which was the attendance number for our event back in 2019.”

The day in 2023 will enable the return of all three runs, beginning with the Bully Buster 4km run with all proceeds from registrations for the 4km course going towards Bellarine Community Health Youth Services, facilitators of the headspace program on the Bellarine.

The 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 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.

The third and final 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 notable difference we will see in next year’s race just under four months from now will be the atmosphere at the start/finish line in Portarlington,” Mr Milne added.

“In the past two years specifically, most people came to the event, got the job done, then went home, and probably left Portarlington quicker than they would have liked.

“Compared to 2019, we saw people getting in the day before, enjoying their time in town and having a meal, so we hope to see that earlier impact reflected in local business takings come February.”

Registrations for the upcoming Sunset Run can be made at either www.bellarinesunsetrun.com or www.raceroster.com/events/2023/63354/flying-brick-bellarine-sunset-run.