Run Ballarat will host an inaugural talent quest  to take to the stage with singer-songwriter and 2015 X-Factor winner Cyrus at the mass participation event in October.

The competition is open to all musical genres, from rock bands to hip hop artists and solo ballads to a capella groups – only for performers who live, work or play in the region.

Cyrus will headline a bigger, new events precinct in the North Gardens where participants and their supporters can soak up the festival-like atmosphere. He is ready to rock his major hits Stone and Wicked Games with his latest single Keep Talking.

But he wants some extra Ballarat support – and Ballarat gets to vote for which act will join him on stage.

Eighteen-year-old songstress Kirra Pryor was voted in to join Cyrus in the events precinct at last month’s Run Newcastle.

The huge Katy Perry fan told Newcastle Live she had strong backing of friends and family voting for her in what was an great opportunity.

Cyrus only started singing a few months before his X-Factor  audition but he struck a chord with the judges following his brilliant acoustic performance of The Weeknd’s ‘Earned It’.

Hailing from Wollongong, Cyrus is a self-taught guitarist who counts Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Ray Charles as his biggest musical influences.

Run Ballarat’s events precinct will also feature interactive stalls, rides and children’s activities. The precinct, at the event finish line, was introduced to the Ballarat outing for the first time last year with Australian pop starlet Samantha Jade entertaining the crowd.

Almost 6,000 participants took to the streets for last year’s Run Ballarat. There will be an expanded event program this year with a three-kilometre pursuit of healthiness run or walk, adding to the 12km and 6km runs and 6km walk, plus the 1km kids run.

Run Ballarat has raised more than $750,000 since the inaugural event in 2012, with 100 per cent of registration fees donated to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital children’s ward redevelopment.

Television presenter Gorgi Coghlan has signed on as the Run Ballarat ambassador for a second-consecutive event.

Performance acts can join in the Run fun by uploading an original video showcasing their musical talents via social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from Wednesday. 

Voting pools will be open to the public from Tuesday, October 5, allowing a chance for the community to check out all hopeful acts before casing a vote.

For details on how to nominate, keep an eye on the Run Ballarat Facebook page this week. To register or for details on Run Ballarat and the events precinct, visit runaustralia.com.au