About 1650 runners, walkers and wheel athletes got moving for the inaugural Run for a Cause on Sunday morning, raising money and awareness to tackle hunger across the region.

This was a new course, new distances and whole new purpose for participants, with Run for a Cause stepping up to fill the gap left by the popular and now-defunct Run Ballarat.

There was always likely to be teething issues for organisers, many taking on the fun run challenge for the first time, but it was a seemingly smooth run for most out on course.

Run ambassador and Olympic marathoner Steve Moneghetti said Ballarat deserved to have its own major fun run event back on the calendar.

“I’m delighted...People have really turned out and supported it and there’s a really good atmosphere,” Mr Monghetti said. “There’s that bit of a mix out there today, the elite aspect and the Ballarat community out there running and walking together.

“...In past runs, there’s always been that tug at the heart strings in raising money for the hospital but I think the community realise how important food security is and how many people it affects.”

Mr Moneghetti said most people enjoyed the tree-lined Victoria Park course which he said was somewhat of a “hidden gem” for the city.

Community bands and musicians lined the paths with upbeat tunes, including the Salvation Army with a few Christmas carols, Ballarat Grammar students on African drums. Ballarat Miners cheerleaders were also track side for added cheer-spiration.

The events village precinct had a distinctly Ballarat feel. A long line of runners took up a free post-race massage from Australian Catholic University physiotherapy students. Frontline food relief charity partners like Food is Free and UnitingBallarat served up lots of treats in a chance to share what participants sweat meant in supporting their work.

More than 60 Ballarat businesses, charities and suppliers were involved in bringing the event to life.

The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Matt Jenkins issued a big thank you to all involved on and off the course, including an estimated 500 supporters on the sidelines, for making this community event a success.

“When you get so many people together there’s just a real nice energy about,” Mr Jenkins said. “The event raised great awareness for food security and shows how the community feels about making a difference.”

The fast, flat course, designed by The Running Company’s Julian Spence, suited elites runners to walkers. 

But there were still a few nerves among the youngest runners. Children’s dash winner Arjun Tippur, aged nine, said it was thrilling once the starting horn sounded.

“Every step you took, you had to be careful to get there first,” Arjun said. “It was really fun.”

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