By JESSE GRAHAM
TRAIL runners will be lacing up and taking on the forests around Healesville and Toolangi, with a marathon and ultra-marathon event set for Sunday 24 April.
The marathon, which features a 10 kilometre, 21km, 30km, 42km and 50km circuits, will kick off in the morning from Maroondah Dam, ending there in the afternoon.
Event organiser Brett Saxon said this year would be the 21st Maroondah Dam trail run, and that he personally started organising it after the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
He told the Mail that he hoped to get between 200-300 people taking part in the marathon, and that locals would take up the challenge.
“If it goes more than that, it’s an incredible number of people giving it a go,” Mr Saxon said.
“For me, it’s about getting people outdoors, healthy, and we’re supporting Canteen.”
He said that $1 from each entry fee would go towards canteen, as well as donations collected on the day.
Mr Saxon said the inclusion of the smaller race size was to offer the partners or friends a chance to run alongside them – without having to tackle a 50km journey themselves.
Entry to the event ranges from $60 for the 10km marathon to $110 for the ultra-marathon.
For more information about the event, or to sign up, visit www.trailsplus.com.au/maroondah.
