Her dad is a good runner and she hopes to be out on course like him for this month's Run for a Cause. Charli enjoys the social side of running, going for a run with others, and the way people of all abilities can get involved and try.

"Running is a fun sport. It really gets you working and making you fit," Charli said. "You're outside and getting plenty of fresh air."

College is setting the pace for sign-ups to the schools' challenge, introduced to the mass participation event for the first time this year.

Run for a Cause stepped up last year to fill a void left by the now-defunct Run Ballarat event.

The Ballarat Foundation's inaugural event raised $31,500 to tackle hunger across the region while this year's focus is on early childhood education, supporting frontline workers best prepare children for school.

One in five children start school developmentally behind their peers, according to The Ballarat Foundation.

Ballarat Clarendon College has rallied its pupils, staff and families to get involved as a fun way to exercise and get involved in the broader community.

College has a growing, inclusive cross-country team that is open to all students, years five to 12. College sports teacher Tom Nash said the school had worked hard to boost team's profile in encouraging more students to try running and to just get out and have a go.

The team is set to get on course with a strong contingent of College rowers.

College pupils start learning about ways they might help the community in the junior school year, learning about broader issues globally and in their own community.

Pupils like Charli say Run for a Cause is an easy, fun way to help others.

In an expanded program, Run for a Cause will reintroduce a half-marathon (21.1 kilometres) to the city for the first time in almost a decade. Participants can also choose to run a 10km or 5km course, a 5km family and pet walk or the 1km children's dash.

Courses, excepting the dash, take a picturesque path through Victoria Park and by Lake Wendouree.

To get in team spirit and sign up for school or corporate challenge teams, visit run4ac.org.

A SOLID podium finish for Aime Petit involves meticulous detail to best showcase top performers.

The bookkeeper, beekeeper, project manager-turned wood worker has been putting the finishing touches on the official Run for a Cause podium.

Mr Petit did so with plenty of handy advice from his fellow members at Sebastopol Men's Shed, which was tasked with boosting up top place-getters for the city's fun run this month.

Plans were based on internet searches for the best dimensions and podium builds.

A gritty floor paint atop each podium spot will add grip for runners to celebrate and separately constructed blocks will allow race directors the chance to spread out the podium should they wish.

Mr Petit said the project had been a great way for the club to feel part of the community event.

Sebastopol Men's Shed also made the star for the The Ballarat Foundation's glitzy Dancing with Our Stars extravaganza in June, which raised more than $100,000 to help break the cycle of disadvantage across the region.

Mr Petit said making the podium had also help prompt talk about Run for a Cause in the shed with members encouraging each other to have a go and get involved.

The focus for this year's run cause is boosting early childhood development programs and support across the region.

Meanwhile, Sebastopol Men's Shed expects to be officially in its new Vickers Street base by February.

COUNTDOWN is on with a fortnight to race day. There is still time to ensure you are ready to run, walk or roll for the second annual Run for a Cause.

WHEN: Sunday, November 17.

WHERE: Community Village and start/finish precinct in Victoria Park. Courses path takes in Victoria Park and Lake Wendouree.

EVENTS: RUN - 8am start, Half-marathon (21.1 kilometres); 8.15am, 10km; 9am, 5km; 10.15am, 1km (children's dash). WALK - 9am, 5km family event, pets included.

CAUSE: Early childhood development programs: Ballarat Reads, Ballarat Community Health's paediatric programs, Eureka Mums, Eureka Community Kindergarten Association, Uniting Ballarat, Ballarat Toy Library and Playgroup Victoria's Sebastopol Hub.

ENTER: run4ac.org.au

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