Yeppoon Running Festival to go ahead in partnership with CQUniversity

With COVID-19 restrictions easing in Queensland, CQUniversity has partnered with the Yeppoon Running Festival again to offer fitness enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in a family-friendly running event while also enjoying a much-needed weekend away.

This marks the fourth year of the Yeppoon Running Festival which is gearing up to be a huge success on 18th October with much interest from the running fraternity as a lot of the larger races have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

CQUniversity is proud to be the sponsor of the main event, the CQUniversity Half Marathon, where participants will enjoy a 21.1 kilometre run beside the beautiful beaches of the Capricorn Coast.

The four-loop course will make the event not only a picturesque location but also a very supporter and family-friendly race as runners will start, finish and loop past the crowd and cheer squad precinct more frequently than most races.

CQUniversity Associate Vice-President Kim Harrington said the University was proud to support such a fantastic event which has previously attracted over 700 runners and more than 2000 spectators.

Harrington advised “CQUniversity is excited to offer its support to this popular running festival which promises to provide an outlet for fitness enthusiasts after what has been a tough time for the running community in Queensland with many popular events cancelled due to the pandemic.

“We’ve seen many community events cancelled recently due to COVID, including many CQU events, so it’s great to be able to support this local event and the Yeppoon community.

“There’s already been much enthusiasm for this year’s Yeppoon Running Festival from running clubs and it is quickly gaining support from others keen to enjoy not only the fitness elements, but also the social and community attributes of such an event.

“The Yeppoon Running Festival is one of the fastest-growing regional races in Queensland and the University is very proud to support an event of this calibre in its own backyard.”

Spokesperson for the Yeppoon Running Festival Nadine Aronheim said festival organisers are committed to providing a safe event for the community and have met strict criteria in order to run this event.

Aronheim adds “COVID had delayed our decision in going ahead with the event but once restrictions started to ease and we got our head around new requirements we established that we can hold a COVID Safe event.

“This included some changes like the introduction of optional bib postage, the introduction of hand sanitiser stations, different start arrangements, extra training and protection for volunteers at aid stations, and everyone being encouraged to bring their own water to avoid close contact where possible.

“We have worked with the Livingstone Shire Council and provided a COVID Safe Plan in which all prevention methods are outlined.”

Aronheim said organisers had also introduced a new postponement refund policy which allows for a refund (minus some admin fees) or the free transfer to next year’s event in the unlikely cancellation of the event due to the pandemic.

In addition to the CQUniversity Half Marathon, the Yeppoon Running Festival is taking entries into the 10km, 5km and a 1.6km family fun run event.

For further information about the Festival visit www.yrf.com.au