Nearly 300 BHS students and staff have signed up for Run Ballarat, with some tackling the 11 kilometre run, others doing the six kilometre event and still more taking on the six kilometre walk.

Physical education teacher James Petrie said the event had been heavily promoted through the school’s specialist sport and rowing programs.

“I’m a Ballarat person and I thought it would be good to give back to the community,” Mr Petrie said.

“It’s a one hundred per cent charitable event and we know it’s all going to a good cause.”

Mr Petrie said, while there had been no formal event training through the school, he assumed all the students were “raring to go”.

He said the school planned to take part in Run Ballarat annually.

“The kids have really enjoyed being part of it. They were allowed to wear their Run Ballarat tops to school today.”

Mr Petrie said BHS took part in a wide range of charitable events, including Shave For A Cure.

Run Ballarat will raise funds to redevelop the Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital children’s ward.

It is planned to include chemotherapy for children with cancer, expanded treatment and resuscitation areas, an enhanced resuscitation area for babies and infants and a short stay unit for 24-hour monitoring of child emergency department patients.

There will also be an outdoor play area, parent accommodation, a same day surgery ward and accommodation for dedicated child diabetic and dietetics services.

Run Ballarat begins near the corner of Sturt and Pleasant Street and finishes at the City Oval.

The 11 kilometre run begins at 7.40am, the six kilometre run at 8.20am and the six kilometre walk at 8.35am.

fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au