Run with the Wind set to take off

To be held at the Ararat Wind Farm on November 25, 2018, the event will feature distances of five and 10 kilometres, as well as the gruelling half marathon.

Ararat Rural City Council is hosting the event in conjunction with 100% Events.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Peter Beales said those participating in the festival will have access to unprecedented views of the surrounding region.

“The event will be the first of its kind in Victoria, and among these hills the course is set out on is some of the best views of Ararat, Mount Cole, Langi Ghiran and the Grampians,” he said.

“We are expecting a large number of participants from outside the region, so I am sure they are going to be impressed by the stunning landscape we have to offer.”

Cr Beales said Ararat Rural City Council staff had been working closely with 100% Events for the past 12 months to make sure Run with the Wind Ararat was a success.

“This group operates running festivals all over the country and first visited this site in mid-2017 and were thrilled with what we had to offer,” he said.

“Council’s Economic Development and Tourism team has assisted 100% Events in liaising with the Ararat Wind Farm and land owner to ensure everyone was comfortable with this large event.

“Early ticket sales have indicated that the event is going to be well supported by both locals and visitors, but the organisers are also preparing for an influx in this final week as is the trend with most running events. Weather plays a big part, so we are hoping for a nice sunny day with minimal wind – well as minimal as you can get at a wind farm, I suppose.”

The Ararat Lions Club will be running a barbeque to feed all the hungry participants on the day, while local community groups will be offering support by volunteering in a number of roles throughout the course.

Cr Beales said Council has focused on creating a weekend of events to capitallise on the expected boost in visitor numbers across a number of days.

“Those participants travelling to the event have been encouraged to stay one to two or more nights to visit and explore Ararat and the region,” he said.

“There are lots of different things happening across the Ararat Rural City on the weekend from the Elmhurst Bush Market to an outdoor cinema to Ararat parkrun which is sure to be busy.

“It will be great to see everything come together after months of hard work.”

Registrations for Run with the Wind Ararat remain open, visit www.runwiththewindararat.com.au or for more information on events across the weekend visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au.