A RECORD number óf participants is expected for tomorrow’s Surf ‘T’ Surf fun run.
Organiser Ben Anderson said support for the iconic race, now in its 32nd year, was at an all-time high.
Anderson said 1640 people took part in the 10-kilometre run, six-kilometre run and six-kilometre walk last year.
Early indications are this year’s event will easily surpass that figure.
“We have closed off online entries and have 1300 signed up,” he said.
“We had 600 sign up on race weekend last year so are hopeful of pushing up around 2000. “We are hoping for that and the addition of the lap of the lake has proved quite popular.”
Anderson said the three-kilometre lap of the lake walk had already attracted 170 entrants.
Bendigo’s Tracy Wilson, 47, has competed in all bar two Surf ‘T’ Surfs. He and his family holiday in Warrnambool every summer.
Wilson is a staunch supporter of the fun run.
“The numbers of people and just how well run it is now ... it’s a real credit to Ben and his team,” Wilson said.
“The quality of the shirts, the timing now, and you can have a feed at the end — there’s fruit and water available.
“It’s all those little things that make it a lot of fun and all the spot prizes at the end for the kids.”
Wilson and daughters Mikaela, 18 and Jessey, 16, will compete in the 10-kilometre run, while Ellie, 12, will do the lap of the lake.
“Ellie is a sprinter so we are getting her to do the three-kilometre and try the new run out,” Wilson said.
“Mikaela is doing the Tough Mudder on January 20 so she needs to be smashing out a few kilometres so a nice, hilly Surf ‘T’ Surf will be good for her.”
Cooler weather conditions expected today and tomorrow are a relief for organisers.
Anderson said registrations for the three running events would be taken today from 9am to 3pm at Lake Pertobe, opposite the carnival. Race kits will also be available for those who have already registered.
Anderson said people could enter for the lap of the lake tomorrow from 7am to 8am.
The 10-kilometre run starts at 8.30am, the six-kilometre run at 8.45am, the six-kilometre walk at 8.50am and the lap of the lake at 8.55am
The Surf ‘T’ Surf fund-raiser supports a number of south-west sporting organisations, most notably South West Sports Assembly.
“We are offering $1000 in the primary schools challenge as well,” Anderson said. “The winner is done on greatest participation rate on percentage of total pupils.