Fun-runners and athletes alike will be putting their best feet forward when the inaugural Horsham Running Festival gets underway on Sunday 14 September.
Top of the bill will be a full marathon – 42.2 kilometres – comprising four laps of a picturesque circuit on the banks of the Wimmera River.
And there's plenty more on offer for everyone from casual park runners to the youngest of entrants.
Supporting the marathon are half marathon and quarter marathon runs, a quarter marathon event for walkers and a 5km walk or run option, an out-and-back course from the parkrun start to near Weir Park.
Youngsters can take part in a free 2km Kids' Dash, a fun untimed event for under-12s.
Race Director Brian Haddy has been co-ordinating a local fun run in his home town of Mount Barker, SA, for the past eight years, raising more than $200,000 for local youth development charities.
He also co-ordinated the Great Kanku Breakaways Marathon Festival in Coober Pedy in 2022, and now coordinates the annual Mad Max Marathon in Broken Hill (www.madmaxmarathon.com.au) on the last Sunday in July and the annual Mildura Riverfront Marathon (www.mildurariverfrontmarathon.com.au) each June long weekend.
Acting Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said the Horsham Running Festival was set to become one of the most exciting events on the region's calendar.
"This is a great opportunity to further cement our reputation as one of the most vibrant regional cities in Victoria," Cr Klowss said.
"Not only will we be greeting runners from all over Australia, we also will be encouraging more local children and adults to get into the running habit."
All events start in Sawyer Park, from 9am.
For details, visit horshamrunningfestival.com.au.
