Setting yourself the goal of a few fun runs each year helps you stick to a regular running programme, and sticking to a regular programme can bring many benefits. These include elevated self confidence, stress release, improved cardiovascular health, increased bone density and of course the runner’s high.
Long runs are fantastic for sorting your thoughts and solving life’s problems.
Run with friends and solve the problems of the world. Interval training is also a great stress release. Run like the wind and release any pent up aggression or frustration. Running intervals with a group can push you just that bit harder, just that bit faster.
Running helps train the mind as well as the body. Your focus and determination in overcoming the obstacles that running can throw up (hills, rain, injuries, rain, fatigue, oh and did I mention rain?) can give you the confidence and determination to overcome challenges in the rest of your life.
Challenging yourself in a fun run can give you a wonderful sense of achievement. So, set yourself a goal, choose a fun run or a few fun runs and stick with the training consistently and reap the benefits. Try to improve your times year on year for particular fun runs, or aim for a best time over a certain distance, or just a faster pace than previously set in races of shorter distances.
There are heaps of fun runs to choose from, with more being added to the calendar each year. You’d be mad to try to do all the runs, not only from a physical point of view. The entry fees could also send you slowly broke, so I thought I take a look at a few of the major runs and rate them in terms of value for money.
The entry fee is the early bird entry fee unless otherwise stated.
| Fun Run | Entry Fee | Cost/km | Good Bits | Not So Good Bits |
| Sun Run Dee Why to Manly 4th Feb Distance: approx 6.5km Terrain:One big hill heading out of Dee Why, the rest undulating | $45 | $6.92 | Scenic and interesting routeRun on wide roads which are closed to traffic so no bottle necksIn it’s first year last year, lots of water was supplied, so can only assume the same this year |
Weather hot and humid this time of year, so not a good one if you don’t run well in the heat.The price –$6.92 per km is a bit steepNot a certified accurate course Not a standard distance-can’t compare your times against other races of the same distance Have to pick up a race pack at the event expo prior to race day. As this is a point to point course, need to make your way back to Dee Why after the race |
| Lindfield Rotary Fun Run 1st April Starts and finishesat Roseville park. Winds around the hilly streets of Roseville and Lindfield Distance:10km and 5km Terrain. Bloody Hilly | $28$65 family | $2.80 10km$5.60 5km$1.62/km for family of 4 running 10km |
Certified accurate course so you know what you’re running, mostly – there was a little glitch 2 years ago when one official sent the runners the wrong way, but that was such a debacle that the very friendly and dedicated people who run the event will be doing everything in their power to make sure it doesn’t happen againVery challenging courseStandard race distances of 5km and 10km so comparable in distance to other fun runs, but you’d be hard pressed to come across another that was so hilly Reasonable number of toilets. Price. When a family of 4 or 5 or 6 (or possibly more) can register for a 10km run for 65 bucks, you know you’re on a winner. Race bibs mailed prior to race day for early bird entries, or pick up on the day for late entries Entries on the day
| Very challenging courseDrinks at 5km turn around only (from memory, but please add comments below if I’m wrong) so if it’s a hot day it’s hard going10km is 2 laps of the 5km course, so if you didn’t like it the first time, you’re not exactly going to love it the second time round |
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Australian Running FestivalCanberra14th and 15th AprilDistance: Marathon, half, 10km and 5km Terrain: marathon and half marathon, not as flat as you might expect for Canberra | Marathon $109Half$8910km $47 | $2.60$4.22$4.70 | Well organised Water stations every 2.5km, energy drinks at every 2ndwater station.Marathon and Half Marathon, good course with enough room at the start to avoid bottlenecksKits posted if register in earlybird time frame | 10km is 3 and a bit laps of the course, so front runners have to weave their way through half the field.Multiple laps of the course means lots of corners to slow you down.Have to pick up kit from expo, not on the day, if miss early bird cut off. |
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Mother’s Day Fun RunThe Domain, (Paramatta, and other venues around the country)Distance 4km, 8km Terrain: flat to undulating | $35 +$4 timing feeFamily of 2 adults and up to 6 children $70 + timing fee | $4.37 for 8km, less if family |
face kits sent out if earl bird entry or else pick up on the dayHigh profile community eventPleasant surrounds of The Domain Activities for the kids 4km is a good race for the kids It seems they have finally got their timing right, starting the 4km event 40 minutes prior to the start of the 8km.Most of the 4km runners should be off the course before the 8km runners reach the 3km mark. Walkers and runners have been separated into different time slots, but as always there are some people who jump in with the run who never have any intention of running-very frustrating as you’re ducking and weaving around them Good vantage point for family and friends to watch on art gallery road opposite the art gallery. 4km runners come past twice, 8kers 4 times. Sufficient toilets | Lots of kids who seem to have no idea that there is anyone else on the course – my own son included! Be aware they will run in front of you and you could easily be tripped up if you’re not watching what you’re doingLots of people generally, especially in the 4km, so it can be hard to get a decent rhythm going |
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SMH Half MarathonMay 20thSydney Terrain: undulating, but there are plenty of stretches for good tempo running | $892011 prices | $4.21 |
High profile event with lots of runnersHigh quality field and a good vibeA community event which lots of people know about, so you’re likely to get more support from friends and work colleagues than if you were running a lesser known event. Great for boosting morale Some interesting scenery, though though the move to run through Pyrmont has added some rather drab bits Good vantage points for spectators if they are prepared to move around the city a bit Sufficient drink stations Parking close by the start and finish point in the Domain, but be warned… plan to arrive very early if you are driving in or else you’ll still be in traffic when the race starts Sufficient toilets at the start of the race | Large number of runners causing congestion in some spots could mean you have to slow to a walk around some cornersA couple of people told me last year they wouldn’t do it again as there were too many people intent on getting a good time happy to elbow you aside. |
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Minimos Marathon17thJuneDistance: 10km, 5km and kids 2km Terrain: undulating to hilly | 10km $355km $25,2km $15 | $3.50$5.00$7.50 |
Certified accurate courseWell organisedReasonably priced if you get in early Times staggered so the whole family can run at differnt times allowing for one parent to care for kids whilst other is running. Kids 2km – very popular and just a few small hills to keep them honest School fare run in conjunction with the run, so lots of yummy cakes to refuel on afterwards Registration on the day Kits mailed out if early bird entry School toilets are open so plenty to go around | The organisers have this one down pat. The only thing I can say is beware of what you buy at the 2ndhand toy store. If it has multiple bits, make sure they are all there!!Can be pretty cold in the middle of winterToilet cubicle doors only come up to chest height so if you don’t’ want someone watching you pulling up your undies, duck. |
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Gold Coast30th June & 1st JulyDistance: Marathon, Half, 10km, 5km 4km kids and 2km kids Terrain: flat |
Marathon $120Half $8510km $55 5km $40 Kids $25 |
$2.86$4.02$5.50 $8.00 $6.25 |
Good flat course where you can get a fast timeGreat facilities – toilets, showers etcAdequate water Pace runners Well organised | Quite expensiveCourse is a bit monotonous-same scenery and few hillsHave to pick up race kits on the Gold coast on the day prior to your race |
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The Bay Run5thAugustDistance: 7km (approx) around iron cove. Kids 2km Terrain: mostly flat with one fairly steep, shortish hill. | $24Kids $10 | $3.43$5.00 |
Good hit out before the city to surfFriendly atmosphereLots of different categories including fastest dog in the west Kids race Nice scenic route around Iron Cove Pretty flat course so you can run a fast time –especially if you disregard the fact it’s about 150m short of 7k |
It always seems a bit of a shemozzle at the startSome narrow parts of the course can cause bottlenecksCourse isn’t closed to the public Long toilet cues There always seems to be a lot of mud around the martialling area Not a standard race distance so difficult to compare your performance against other races |
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City To Surf12thAugust Iconic race on theSydney running CalendarYou either love or leave it to those who do Distance: 14km Terrain: undulating to hilly with a fairly large hill about 1/2 way | $55 | $3.92 | Massive community event-one of those must do at least once things for many peopleParty atmosphereGreat if you are a seeded or preferred runner, but not so great if you are behind this group and ducking and weaving through crowds for the whole 14km |
Crowds mean a fast run is unlikely, so best just to compare your City to Surf times year on year, rather than against other races.A one way course and 80,000 entrants means you could find it difficult to get back home in a hurry.If you’re aiming to start at the front of the group, slipping out of the pack and going to the loo before the start is not advised. You’ll be hard pressed to get back up to the front Well priced for such an event |
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Sydney Running FestivalSunday 16th SeptDistance: marathon, half, 9km and 4km Another big community fun run across the harbour bridge, which is reason enough to participate |
4km $409km $55Half $85 Marathon$135 |
$10.00$6.11$4.00 $3.19 |
Big community eventRun across the bridgeSufficient toilets, but get a bit on the nose given the number of people and the hot weather Events start times now spaced out well so you don’t have traffic jams |
Have to pick up race kit in the city prior to event9km and 4km are only approximate distances, so not comparable to other races. Based on people’s times last year, we estimate the 4km to be more like 4.5kmExpensive, especially the 4km and 9km distances Usually very hot, and they still seem not to have figured out the drinks stations properly Marathonstart of 7am is too late. Practically have to cover another marathon to get to the baggage area to pick up your bags |
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Run4 funHomebushDistance: 10km Terrain: Mostly flat | $45 | $4.50 | Well organisedGood for recording a fast timeReasonably priced | Heat |
| Sri Chinmoy RacesA series of races run throughout the year. Varying distances including 4km, 7km, 8km, 14km, 16km and 12km. Venues include Centennial Park, Mirambeena, Iron Cove, Dolls Point, Cooks River | Entry fees – $27, $22 and $17, depending on the distance |
Very friendly low key events.Free pancakes afterwardsEasy parking Plenty of drinks stations Can enter on the day pick up race bib on the day At $1.29per km for a half marathon distance, these would have to be the cheapest races going around. Good as a first time fun run if you’re feeling a little timid about it | Hand held timing device so your time is not accurate to the last secondLow key – some people prefer the hype of big high profile eventsIron Cove – tends to be a lot of walkers on the path so can get frustrating dodging people by your second lap. |