SPORT - Landsborough hosts running event with a twist!

Fitness enthusiasts, seasoned runners, rookies and social shufflers can ready themselves for a community run unlike any other. Now in its fifth year, Race the Roo, a community running event hosted by the Caloundra Triathlon Club in proud partnership with local business  Preferred Plaster, takes place at Skippy Park in Landsborough on Sunday July 28, 2024.  

The aim of Race the Roo is simple - outrun the Roo for as many 1.1km laps as possible. The Roo will start their first lap at a very relaxed pace and steadily increase the pace of each consecutive lap. To stay in the race, runners will have to finish each lap before the Roo gets to the finish line. 

Runners will be pleased to know that there will be a minimum one minute of rest after each lap before the next lap, at a faster pace, starts. The clock for the one-minute rest will start once the Roo reaches the finish line of each lap.  

Race organiser from Caloundra Triathlon Club, Carlee Driscoll, says runners of all abilities can take part in the event.

“Anyone who can jog a kilometre will outpace the Roo for a couple of laps” she says. According to Driscoll runners may surprise themselves about how long they can stay ahead of the Roo.

“We've noticed in previous years that most runners, especially Parkrunners, completed longer distances than they would normally run because of the rest time between each lap,” she says.

She adds that runners who want to go for gold and complete the eventual last lap, will have to have both speed and endurance. Winners in previous years have managed a massive 29 laps, which is over 30km of running, having to hit some super speeds in the final laps to stay ahead.

The winners from last year are returning to defend their titles in 2024. While the winning male and winning female will each take home $250, many other lucky participants will take home spot prizes. There are extra prizes available for the best performing corporate team and sporting team too!  

Free training programs for beginner and intermediate runners can be downloaded at racetheroo.com, and are a great way for participants to prepare themselves for the race. And the race is timed to be two weeks ahead of the Sunny Coast Marathon weekend, so runners can incorporate it into their training plan.  

Runners can visit racetheroo.com to register for the event. All participants will receive a medal, water bottle and neck buff. Runners will have the opportunity to get the distance that they covered engraved on the back of their medal after completing the race, at no extra cost. 

Runners can bring the family, as Skippy Park has a fantastic playground and there will be the all-important coffee van and snacks available all morning. And watching the very best runners in full flight on the final laps is super exciting for all the spectators!