June 23, 2025
Runners taking part in the eighth annual Wondai Country Running Festival will be hitting the trails around the town again this weekend.
The various activities kick off at 7:00am on Saturday with the regular Wondai parkrun and the Wondai Country Markets in Coronation Park.
The markets will have an added twist time with more stalls, a petting zoo for children, plus open-air art sponsored by the Wondai Regional Art Gallery.
Budding artists can drop into the gallery from 9:00am to pick up free art supplies and a canvas to paint either in the park or at The Studio.
Local artist Sue Warry will be helping people discover their inner creativity!
There’ll also be live entertainment during the markets, including performances by the Wondai Town & District Band, the CWA Choir and Terry Jacobsen.
(The gallery is also hoping to have its new deck extension open in time for the weekend.)
But the main focus of the festival is, of course … running!
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. Numbers are strictly limited!
There are three age categories: 18 & under; 40 & under and Masters.
Also on Saturday, is the All Abilities Run at 8:45am – sponsored this year by local MP Deb Frecklington – followed by the Hansen Kitchens 2km Family Fun Run at 9:00am.
The Fun Run along the Rail Trail ($5 entry on the day) 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 to choose from: 21.1km starting at 12:30pm or the 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 the Bowy Active Rail Trail 5km rail trail run (7:45am).
Online registrations for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday events close at 10:00pm this Wednesday (June 25).
On Saturday night, the Wondai Country Running Festival dinner will be held at the Wondai Town Hall, featuring a licensed bar and live music.
Tickets for this event were snapped up very quickly and it is now booked out
- 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 Deb Frecklington MP 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
