BELOVED Ballarat running event Begonia Classic is set to hit the startline once more from the lake precinct after almost 20 years' hiatus.
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The fun run will relaunch as a major charity event for the homegrown Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute in March.
This follows strong interest in distance running events added to FECRI's key fundraiser Ballarat Cycle Classic last year with running to instead be held as a separate event to encourage greater participation.
Ballarat Regional Athletic Centre has backed the event as a major partner to revive the Begonia Classic.
Traditionally a 16-kilometre event, later shortened, the Classic ran in Ballarat in various formats from the 1970s until petering out in the early 2000s.
BRAC vice-president Rod Griffin and BRAC hub manager Ashley Anderson said it was wonderful to have another major running event for the city amid a widespread running resurgence.
"The Classic used to get huge numbers [running]. It started at a point in time when fun runs were really popular," Mr Griffin said. "It will be nice to see another big fun run back in Ballarat."
Begonia Classic will feature half-marathon (21.1km) and 16km runs with a 6km run and pet-friendly walk.
The Courier understands the half-marathon is a new feature for the Classic. The Ballarat Foundation's annual Run For A Cause was the first to reintroduce a half-marathon to Ballarat in 2019 before shifting to virtual formats during the pandemic.
The Classic will also be a COVID-safe, paper and plastic free event with collapsible, reusable cups supplied to runners for volunteers to fill at drink stations.
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Runs will start and finish at View Point with both longer runs to turn at the Caledonian Bridge and take in Bridge Mall and the Arch of Victory.
FECRI honourary director George Kannourakis said Ballarat Cycle Classic had developed into a major event with people realising a true value for their efforts. He hoped people would similarly embrace "buying hope" in cancer research in the Begonia Classic.
FECRI is Australia's sole regional-based cancer research institute.
- READ MORE ABOUT FECRI AND ITS WORLD-CLASS WORK: Thirty years on - how Ballarat continues to believe in Fiona's dying wish
Ballarat Begonia Classic will be on March 20. Registrations are open at fecri.org.au.
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