Bunbury’s running enthusiasts will come together for one of the region’s biggest community events this weekend.
The 40th annual Hit Southwest Surf to Surf Fun Run, presented by the Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club, will hit Bunbury’s coastline on Sunday, October 15.
Races in this year’s event include the Fast 5 Schools Challenge – 5 kilometre run, Schools Handicap Shield, 5km walk, 2km relay run for primary school students, 5km run, 10km run, and the 21.1km half marathon.
The course takes runners through hotspots such as the Bunbury Back Beach, Wyalup-Rocky Point and the Bunbury Lighthouse.
Bunbury SLSC president Denise Duncan said the club hoped to get over 1200 registrations before Sunday.
She said the club had already seen an increase in registrations compared to last year.
“As the traditional community event which began in 1977, the Fun Run is one of our major fundraising events and very popular with our community,” she said.
“Everything is in place for a great event, the course will suit all levels of fitness and ability and running along the beautiful beach lined Ocean Drive with a slight breeze in the face will be ideal.
“Now we just wait for a weather report that will support the participants to do their best.The entry fee is a donation to Bunbury SLSC.”
Duncan added the event’s rich history and have-a-go attitude made it essential to Bunbury’s sporting calendar.
“A culture of having fun and doing your best in an event that caters for all levels of fitness, age and ability on a course along the beautiful beaches of Bunbury whilst knowing that your participation is supporting and valuing the voluntary life saving service the City of Bunbury SLSC provides for the community are the key ingredients of success across the 40 years of its conduct,” she said.
The Bunbury SLSC undergoes an 11 month process to organise and manage the event.
Each year’s Fun Run Committee is responsible for gaining sponsorship, prize money, and volunteers to fill key roles.
The event is sponsored by HitFM, the City of Bunbury, the South West Development Commission, Southern Ports Authority, Alcoa, Cristal, Koombana Physiotherapy, Aqwest, Retravision and Totally Sound.
Register at the Bunbury SLSC website: https://www.bunburyslsc.com.au/fun-run/2017