The Dragon is ready to run

HUNDREDS of athletes will take to Bendigo’s streets to race Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile before the Easter Festival’s one hundred and fiftieth gala parade on Easter Monday.

The Bendigo Harriers have held the Dragon Mile since 1987.

Racing in the famed Mile, or 1609 meters, starts near the Gold Monument on Pall Mall, heads west along Pall Mall, swings right at Alexandra Fountain for the View Street climb.

Athletes will turn near Dudley House and then race downhill and back along Pall Mall to the finish line at the Mundy Street intersection.

Among the leading contenders for the men’s open title will be Moama’s Archie Reid and Bendigo’s Matt Buckell.

Both are team-mates for Bendigo Bats in Athletics Victoria’s cross-country series.

“It’s great to have the Dragon Mile up and running again,” Reid said.

“Street racing is something I really enjoy, and to be racing in front of such a big crowd is really exciting.”

There is prizemoney to be won, but for Reid and Buckell it’s the prestige of adding their name to the honour roll that’s a greater incentive.

Reid’s coach Brady Threlfall won in 2013, and Buckell’s coach, Andy Buchanan was victorious in 2015, ’16 and ’19.

Just a few weeks ago, Reid won the 10-kilometre showdown in the Bendigo Fun Run.

He followed up by winning the 10-kilometre at Run Devonport and was fifth in the long course over 14.8 kilometres at Melbourne’s Run For The Kids – a fund-raiser for the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.

Racing on Easter Monday starts at 10.30am when the girl’s mini mile for grade 4 and under is run. The boys Mine mile follows at 10.45am.

The Dragon Mile categories are grades 5-6, years 7-8, years 9-10, years 11-12, open, veterans 40-plus and 50-plus.

On-line entries close at midnight on Friday via the Athletics Bendigo webpage.