Victoria’s first ever fun run around a wind farm will take place in Ararat this weekend.
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Runners from all across Victoria will take up the challenge of running at the Ararat Wind Farm in the inaugural Run with the Wind event on Sunday.
Participants will be able to run five or 10 kilometres or push themselves in a half marathon.
It is the first ever run of its type in Victoria, with the idea coming from a similar run in New South Wales.
“It is the sister to Run with the Wind in NSW which has been going for a few years now,” event manager Scott Hollow said.
“It is quite a unique concept and it is really exciting to be able to bring it to Victoria and Ararat.”
The event is being hosted by Ararat Rural City Council and 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.”
Between 250 and 300 runners are expected to participate in the inaugural event, providing a significant boost to business in the region.
“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,” Cr Beales said.
“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 run is a different approach to many other fun runs that take place in the region throughout the year, with many taking place in the Grampians National Park.
Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said having the run at the wind farm will be a great change up.
“Being able to couple tourism and renewable resources like the wind farm is a great thing,” he said.
“Events like these can only help attract people away from Melbourne to the region, where we find once they are out here they spend more than one night because they love it so much.”
There will also be plenty else happening in the region at the weekend, with the Elmhurst Bush Market, Ararat outdoor cinema and Ararat park run all taking place.
Registrations for Run with the Wind Ararat can be made at runwiththewindararat.com.au