June 20, 2024
Runners taking part in the seventh annual Wondai Country Running Festival will be hitting the trails around the town again this weekend!
Co-organiser Cr Ros Heit said 60 more runners than last year had nominated for events, so it should be a very busy weekend.
The various activities kick off at 7:00am on Saturday with the regular Wondai parkrun and the Wondai Country Markets in Coronation Park.
There’ll be live entertainment during the markets, including performances by the Wondai Town & District Band.
The 1km CROW-FM Dash for Cash on Saturday morning will start at 8:15am.
This is held along the Rail Trail and there are cash prizes to be won. Cost to enter is $5 and runners can enter on the morning.
There are three age categories: 18 & under; 40 & under and Masters.
Also on Saturday, is the South Burnett CTC All Abilities Run at 8:45am, and the Hansen Kitchens Family Fun Run at 9:00am.
The Fun Run ($5 entry) is untimed and a social event for all the family. There will be lots of random prizes!
Registrations for all the Saturday morning events can be made on the day.
On Saturday afternoon, there are two Bega Peanuts McEuen Forest trail runs: 21.1km starting at 12:30pm and 11.1km starting at 1:30pm.
Sunday’s events are the Ken Mills Toyota Marathon (starting 6:30am), Bendigo Bank Half-Marathon (7:00am), Parkside Rail Trail 10km run (7:30am) and new event for this year, the Bowy Active Rail Trail 5km run (7:45am).
Online registrations for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday events have now closed, but late registrations can be emailed to organisers on admin@wondaicountryfestival.com.au
As well as all the running, there will be plenty of action for spectators and visitors to enjoy.
Helicopter rides will be back again this year, joined by some new attractions on Saturday morning, including Viv’s Farm Animals.
Over at the nearby Wondai Pool, the Wim Hof Cold Plunge Challenge (brrr!) will be taking place (contact the pool for details).
On Saturday night, the Wondai Country Running Festival dinner will be held at the Wondai Town Hall, featuring a licensed bar, live music and mulled wine.
Tickets for this event were snapped up very quickly and it is now booked out with 150 diners set to enjoy a hot buffet meal.
- External link: Wondai Country Running Festival
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What’s Happening & When
SATURDAY
- 7:00am – Wondai parkrun on the South Burnett Rail Trail
- 8:15am – 1km CROW-FM Dash For Cash on the Rail Trail
- 8:45am – 1km South Burnett CTC All Abilities Run on the Rail Trail; carers and wheelchairs welcome but no motorised vehicles
- 9:00am – Hansen Kitchens Family 2km Fun Run on the Rail Trail; untimed and social; parents welcome to accompany young children; prams and dogs welcome
- 12:30pm – 21.1km Bega PCA Forest Trail through McEuen Forest
- 1:30pm – 11.1km Bega PCA Forest Trail through McEuen Forest
SUNDAY
- 6:30am – Ken Mills Marathon on the Rail Trail
- 7:00am – Bendigo Bank Half-Marathon on the Rail Trail
- 7:30am – Parkside 10km run on the Rail Trail
- 7:45am – Bowy Active 5km run on the Rail Trail
