They are official ambassadors in the annual event on September 13 which attracts competitors from the 18 sister cities of the north-east Chinese metropolis.

The Woodford couple were selected after a public call for applications and will follow in the footsteps of Nigel and Tracey Kol who were Warrnambool’s inaugural half-marathon representatives last year. 

Warrnambool City Council provides $500 per athlete for travel expenses while Changchun covers transportation, food and accommodation for time in the local area.

“We will be trying to represent our community the best way we can in our sister city,” the Timms said yesterday. “It’s also about meeting competitors from other countries.

“We’ll be presenting this region as a great place to visit. It will be a great experience and the first time we’ve been overseas together for about 20 years.”

The Timms are no strangers to long-distance running. Shane has completed at least two Melbourne marathons and Lorraine one. They are both regular entrants in Warrnambool’s Surf’T’Surf and Koroit to Warrnambool runs as well as a few triathlon legs.

“We’ve put in a bit more work in the past eight weeks and are training for the Melbourne Marathon later this year,” Mr Timms said. “Apparently there are a few hills to tackle in Changchun but we’ve had plenty of practice in Woodford.”

Mr Timms, a former palliative care nurse, runs a small business and Mrs Timms is a midwife.

 Changchun’s link with Warrnambool was established about two years ago and moves are afoot to develop trading and tourism opportunities.