The popularity of fun runs seems to have exploded in Melbourne and surrounds over the past few years. Melbourne's scenic, green and largely flat landscape lends itself beautifully to some great events. Here are ten of the best in calendar order:
Herald Sun Run for the Kids: One of Melbourne's largest and most popular fun runs, this one is for a great cause with proceeds going to the Royal Children's Hospital. The 14.38km course gives runners the chance to run through the Domain Tunnel and then over the Bolte Bridge for panoramic CBD views. There is also a 5.2km event for the less fit.
Date: 1 April 2012
Run the Rock: Hanging Rock is one of Victoria's most famous tourist destinations, and this event gives you the chance to see it from a unique perspective. The scenic 17.5km, 10km and 5km runs finish with a lap around the base of Hanging Rock. The rest of the course takes in the bush trails and quiet country roads of the Mt Macedon and Woodend area. As a bonus, this is also for a good cause with funds raised benefiting the Cancer Council Victoria.
Date: 21 April 2012
Puffing Billy Great Train Race: In this 13.2km run, your challenge is not to beat your fellow runners or even your own personal best time, but to beat the historic Puffing Billy steam train. Running alongside the train track between Belgrave and Emerald Lake Park, you can enjoy the some of the most scenic forests and parkland in Victoria but be warned – there are some challenging hills in this one. All proceeds from the fun run go towards the maintenance of Melbourne's favourite train.
Date: 6 May 2012
Racing the train on the Puffing Billy Great Train Race
Mothers Day Classic: A fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this event is less focused on competition, it's more about wellness and having fun with friends and family. It's a great atmosphere, with an 8km or 4km run or walk in Alexandra Gardens and the Tan Track.
Date: 13 May 2012
The Great Ocean Road Marathon: The Great Ocean Road is closed to cars for the day of this epic run, offering full and half marathon distance runners the opportunity to run along one of the world's most spectacular roads from Lorne to Apollo Bay. The scenery might just be enough to distract you from the pain. For the less adventurous there are 14km and 6 runs as well, although these are in Apollo Bay and not on the Great Ocean Road itself.
Date: 19 – 20 May 2012
Enjoy the views on the Great Ocean Road Marathon
The Age Run Melbourne:. Another of Melbourne's most popular fun runs, this starts from the heart of Melbourne at Federation Square. The events are a half marathon, 10km run, 5kmrun/walk or 3km kids run. Runners will pass some of Melbourne's most iconic sights, starting at St Kilda Road then past Shrine of Remembrance, around the Botanic Gardens, over the Yarra, past the MCG and then towards the finish line at Federation Square. Half marathon does two laps.
Date: 15th July 2012 (3km kids run on 14th July)
Yarra Valley Grape Run:
Run among the vines in one of Victoria's best wine-growing regions. The courses of 13km run, 8km run/walk and 5km run/walk pass some beautiful and historic vineyards, so you can pass the time by picking which of the many vineyards to return to for some après-run wine tasting.
Date: 1 September 2012
Melbourne Marathon: The number one event for serious runners in Victoria, this is no mere fun run. The 42km marathon track goes from the city to St Kilda, around Albert Park Lake, down Marine Parade towards Elwood, then back up through St Kilda and towards the MCG. Although last year's event did not finish inside the MCG, participants in past events have been able to reward their efforts with a run on the hallowed turf. Event dates and course details have not been released for 2012 but it will be in October. There is also a half marathon, 10km and 5km runs and a 3km walk.
Eureka Climb: While not strictly a fun 'run', this is one of the most quirky events on the Melbourne fitness calendar. Participants run up 88 floors of Melbourne's tallest building, raising money for disadvantaged youth. The number of stairs: 1,642, which is more than New York's Empire State Building.
Date: 18 November 2012
View from the top - the Eureka Tower Climb
Portsea Twilight: If you don't quite meet your fitness goals in 2012, the Portsea Twilight gives you a chance to redeem yourself early in 2013. The 7.75km or 3.75km courses wind through the stunning and historic Point Nepean National Park, with brilliant views over Port Phillip Bay.
Date: 5 January 2013
