By David Kavanagh | posted on July 27, 2019
RUNNING enthusiasts will have yet another reason to don their sneakers later this year when the inaugural Denmark Half Marathon kicks off at Lights Beach.
The September 22 event is being put together by the Denmark Running Club with support from the Shire of Denmark and will offer 21.2km, 10km and 2km distance trails for all ages and abilities.
Denmark Running Club President Rebecca Gleeson said while the official route of the marathon is yet to be confirmed, it will take participants through parts of the Munda Biddi and Wilderness Ocean Walk (WOW) trails.
“The WOW trail is a very hilly, twisty course and runners will benefit from the challenge of tackling it in such a spectacular location,” she said.
“We’re hoping participants from far and wide can come and enjoy these beautiful trails … it’s an opportunity for runners in the region to try some-thing a little bit different.”
Ms Gleeson said the event would complement rather than compete with the well-established Elleker Half Marathon, which celebrated its 24th year running in June.
She said the idea to organise an event out of Denmark was informed by a recent survey of the Denmark Running Club’s members.
“We just decided, based on that survey, that we’d organise one big event that our members could aspire to,” Ms Gleeson said.
“This is very much the trial run, pardon the pun. I think there’s such an appetite for different runnning events these days.”
The Denmark Half Marathon will take place more than a month after the Perth Half Marathon and a few weeks before the Perth Running Festival on October 6.
According to Ms Gleeson, the best way to prepare is to just “start running”.
“We run training four times a week and anyone is welcome to join. It’s a very non-competitive, really friendly and supportive club,” she said of the Denmark Running Club.
“It’s a matter of just incrementally building on your distance so that by the time the race comes you’re ready for it.”
Anyone interested in joining the group or signing up for the half marathon can visit www.denmarkrunningclub.org.au or the run’s Eventbrite page.
Ms Gleeson said people with questions can contact her on 0412 802 608.
