More than 250 people stepped up for the inaugural Hopathon, a 600m dash around the Hop Temple block, followed by a social afternoon to raise money for Ballarat Health Service’s Base Hospital Special Care Nursery, which provides extra care for premature and ill babies.

Hop Temple owner Brian Taylor said tickets had sold out early for the event. 

Organiser Jordan McPhan said it had been a “fantastic turnout” and, while they had not yet finalised, she said they had already raised more than $7000 which will go towards buying new resuscitation equipment for the special care nursery.

She said given the great turnout and the positive atmosphere, they would definitely run the event next year and hoped to make it an annual event.

Participant Leandra Brady-Walker, from Ballarat said: “I got challenged to do Tough Mudder and this was my happy compromise,” she said. “I hope we don’t have to hop, but I can probably make 600m.”

Asked if they had been ‘training’, the group laughed and gestured to the pints on the table.

All participants received a medal upon completion and renowned runner Steve Moneghetti was on hand to present the medals to each returning athlete.

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