Dragon Mile ready to run

LACE up your shoes for the thirty-fifth annual Dragon Mile, returning Monday, 18 April during the Easter Fair.

After two years of cancellations fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bendigo Harriers Athletics Club chair Neil Macdonald said the group were keen to bring the race back to the city streets.

“Given the fact that the Bendigo Easter Fair is 150 years old this year and also the fact that the Bendigo Harriers are celebrating 100 years, we think there’ll be lots of participants and thousands upon thousands [of spectators],” he said.

The race will begin on the corner of Pall Mall and Mundy Streets, turning right up View Street and looping back around at Dudley House to finish at the starting street corner.

A full morning of racing is expected, with categories for primary and secondary students as well as open and veteran events. Prize money is also up for grabs.

“I think it will be every bit as good as it has been in the past given the fact that lots of people haven’t been able to get out and join in community runs,” Macdonald said.

“We always have an abundance of school children run in it and in the past, we’ve had some very elite athletes run as well.

“That’s why we run the event because we’re interested in people becoming involved in the community, sport and general fitness so that it creates an awareness that anyone can run. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to run in the Dragon Mile.”

To register a spot, visit the Athletics Bendigo website.