LOOK up at Mount Warrenheip. Then ask yourself, “how much fun would it be to run up that?”.
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If the answer is “plenty of fun”, then Dunnstown’s Mountain of Fun Run on March 15 – the major fundraiser for St Brendan’s Primary School – is just the ticket.
And if it looks a bit daunting, there’s still fun to be had on a slightly less mountainous course.
The 12.5-kilometre course includes a climb and descent of the hill. There is also a flatter six-kilometre course.
One of those tackling the 12.5km run is last year’s winner in the male section, Nic Van Raaphorst.
While Mr Van Raaphorst has had considerable success in cross country competition and has been first across the line in multiple fun run events, the 30-year-old concedes it is a challenging course.
“It’s pretty tough,” he said.
“You might think the mountain is difficult, but along Britts And Howards Road it’s pretty tough as well, perhaps because you don’t expect the incline.
“I did it (the course) in the mid-44 minutes last year.
“I’m aiming to better that and I’m a bit fitter.”
Mr Van Raaphorst said the cross country running season began in March, so the Mountain of Fun Run was a good lead into that.
He has also been enlisted as an ambassador for the event, along with Olympian Allison Tranquilli (nee Cook), who is a former pupil at St Brendan’s Primary School.
Mrs Tranquilli will also participate in the run.
Most entrants are not elite level runners, however.
Emma Donald is doing the 12.5-kilometre course and says she is not overly daunted by the prospect of tackling the mountain.
“It looks big but I’ve been practising on Whitehorse Road (between Sebastopol and Mount Clear) and that’s pretty steep too.”
Event co-ordinator Karen Cahir said the fun run had grown each year since it started seven years ago.
She said she was hopeful of topping 600 entrants this year.
“Previously we’ve had between 400 and 500 so it would be good to get 600-plus,” she said. “We’ve gone bigger each year and you want to see that continue.
“You don’t have to do the run. You can walk the six-kilometre course. The majority of the kids at school will be doing it.”
Start time for the 12.5-kilometre course is 8.15am, with the six-kilometre run starting at 8.30am. Entry is $35 for the 12.5-kilometre run and $25 for the six-kilometre run/walk for those who register online at www.mountainoffunrun.com before March 13, which includes complementary entry into Kryal Castle on the day.
Competitors can also enter on the day with a late fee of $5 per person.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au