CLRS celebrates another successful Run Echuca Moama

Numbers have been on a rapid rise since the event, known as Johnno’s Run, started in Echuca Moama in 2022.

Numbers started in the 200s that year and surpassed 600 last year.

Early versions of the run featured a contingent of participants joining the Run Melbourne event.

“We had nearly 500 people start in the 21.1k and the 10k at 8am, so that was pretty impressive,” CLRS chief executive Leah Taaffe said.

“It looked fantastic as they were all getting going and streaming down Meninya St onto Blair St.”

Runners started on the old Echuca Moama bridge in those two distances, the first time the road was closed for the event.

“We got some great feedback (on the bridge),” Taaffe said.

“We had some people, particularly younger people, who did it specifically because they could run across the bridge on the road.”

The 5km event also crossed the bridge, while the 76 kids who participated in the 400 or 800m junior bolts also made use of the roadway.

The event has grown to attract competitors from further abroad, with participants from central NSW, Canberra and across Victoria participating in this year’s edition.

“It's getting a reputation among the running community of being a really positive event to participate in,” Taaffe said.

“It's a nice place to come visit, it's a great course that's well run and it wouldn't be without all of the volunteers who helped us on the day and in the lead up to the event.

“(Local runner) Brady Threlfall sets out an excellent course.

“He knows what he's doing and he does it really well, so that makes a massive difference.”

In all, the event raised around $45 000 for CLRS’ Opening Doors Project, which builds homes for people living with disability in the local community.

So far, the project has delivered three homes and 12 units, supporting 22 people.