Donovan travelled down from Sydney for the day with her guitarist and keyboard player to perform a covers set along with some original songs.

She aptly started the session in the entertainment precinct at South Gardens with David Bowie’s Heroes.

“It’s for such a great cause,” Donovan said of the event, which raises money for Ballarat Base Hospital’s children’s ward redevelopment .

“Building an extra part of the hospital for kids to go in and get out of ED’s way, I think that is a great concept.”

Donovan made herself available for autographs and photos with her fans after the performance, with some even a little bit emotional. 

“It’s a beautiful thing when people come up to you and they’re just shaking uncontrollably, it’s a very humbling thing,” she said. 

Donovan has just wrapped up her Off The Grid and Somewhere In Between tour in Wollongong and is in demand for corporate events up until Christmas.

Other entertainment included acoustic guitar and vocal duo Big Love Thief, while Ruben the Surfing Scientist delighted children with science experiments live on stage. 

Run Ballarat ambassador Gorgi Coghlan said despite the cold and wet weather, the community had been “incredible” in coming together and supporting a cause. 

“The weather didn’t put us off because in Ballarat you’re not really sure what you are going to get this time of the year,” she said.

“The reason we love Run Ballarat as parents is because it supports the Ballarat Hospital’s new children’s ward, which is opening next winter.

“So for all of the Ballarat community and the surrounding area, the fact that we have a hospital where we can take our children and not have to go to Melbourne is essential and so comforting as a parent.”

Meanwhile, wheelchair athlete Sam Rizzo was first across the Run Ballarat finish line in the 12km event, ahead of his coach Paralympian Richard Coleman. 

“He is getting used to it, beating me every race,” Coleman joked at the finish line.

“It’s the perfect race because it has got a bit of everything which is what we want – it’s flat, downhill, a lot of corners, and a bit of head wind around the lake.”

The early morning drizzle did not dampen spirits at Run Ballarat on Sunday with a strong turn out of families participating in the event.

There were plenty of familiar faces among the crowd, including East Point A grade netball coach Kate Martin, who was joined by her husband and three children.

The family of five took part in the 6km run, while two of the children also participated in the 1km race.

“We love the day, we have done it every year since it started in Ballarat and we do it with friends,” Martin said.

"It's a really good community event and all the money goes towards the Children's Hospital, which you hope you are never going to need but we know if we ever did that we are so lucky and fortunate with all the facilities we have in Ballarat.”

Between events, Martin said her children had loved the face painting and also had their sights set on the climbing wall. 

“You bump into a lot of familiar faces and it is a really good social event,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Karl Morrison and his children Caelan, 8, and Asha, 5, were on top of the world after the children 1km run.

“As a family, (we wanted to get involved) because it is a good participation event, everyone can join in, it doesn’t matter what your ability is and everyone has fun,” Mr Morrison said.

Caelan said the race was "really good" but tiring.

Sister Asha was happy on top of her dad's shoulder after running the entire way of the children’s event.

"I ran with my dad… and I nearly beat my dad!" Asha said.

It was the second year the family had taken part.

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