RunWest - New community festival announced for Western Sydney

Athletics Australia, in partnership with West HQ , New South Wales Government and Athletics NSW, is pleased to announce the launch of RunWest, Western Sydney’s first major running festival and community event, to be held on Sunday 31 March 2019. 

The inaugural RunWest will see thousands of participants of all ages and abilities walk, jog or run through Sydney Zoo, Australia’s most advanced zoo, due to open in early 2019. 

The RunWest 12km event starts at Sydney Motorsport Park, runs through the new Sydney Zoo and takes participants through Sydney’s biggest backyard, the Western Sydney Parklands, followed by Blacktown International Sports Park. 

The course will finish at the West HQ precinct, where a huge Finish Line Festival will be held to celebrate this memorable occasion for the West. 

“RunWest is a huge first for Western Sydney, and is going to bring people of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds together for a day of being active, raising money for important causes, celebrating what the area has to offer and of course, having fun,” said Mark Arbib, President of Athletics Australia. 

“We’re thrilled to bring this running festival to life with the support of our founding partner, West HQ, and major partner, the New South Wales Government. 

We are committed to making this a significant annual event for the people of the West which has strong social, health and economic outcomes. We are doing this by creating a broadly-appealing community festival that really has something for everyone. 

Feature entertainment and cultural activations on course, sports stars and iconic landmarks will make RunWest an annual must-do event in Sydney.” 

West HQ CEO Richard Errington says the newly named Western Sydney destination is proud to be a founding partner of this milestone event, which will promote the importance of health and fitness, as well as celebrate the incredible Western Sydney community it has been part of since 1964. 

"Between our fantastic food, vibrant culture and so much sporting talent, a huge community running festival just made sense - something for every age and fitness level, all ending in a big community celebration at West HQ. 

We knew something like that would create a legacy of active living as well as strengthen the community spirit.”

"To see thousands of locals and neighbours walking or running through our shared backyard, crossing that finish line and entering the festival is going to be an incredible sight. I can’t encourage everyone enough to get involved in this milestone and legacy event for the community”. 

Walkers and families with young children, seasoned runners and frequent joggers will all be welcomed and encouraged to participate in the community-centric event, with RunWest offering both 4km and 12km options.

RunWest will feature on-course entertainment to keep spirits high, with activations at the start, finish and along the course to keep participants moving, grooving and motivated. This includes live music, entertainers, appearances by popular Western Sydney sports teams and a variety of cultural and sponsored attractions. 

The Finish Line Festival will feature live on-stage music, food trucks celebrating Western Sydney’s cultural diversity, free kids entertainment acts, rides and inflatables, as well as “come and try” sessions at the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatics Centre. 

Super early bird registration starts at just $15 per person for the 4km Family Fun Run and from just $30 per person for the 12km event. All super early bird entries include a free pass to the new Sydney Zoo, valid for up to 365 days from August 1, 2019. 

Registration also includes free transport shuttles between West HQ and Sydney Motorsport Park on event day. The New South Wales Government is proud to be a major partner of the inaugural RunWest event, launched by Minister for Sport and Minister for Western Sydney at West HQ in Rooty Hill on Tuesday October 9. 

“The NSW Government is proud to support RunWest, a great chance for people of all ages and abilities to challenge themselves in this fantastic new course” Mr Ayres said. 

“This is a major event not to be missed, where we’re combining keeping people active all while taking in the best of the West. We encourage participants from near and afar to come and attend this fantastic day out for the whole family.” Mr Ayres said. 

With community being the soul of the event, fundraising will be a strong focus. Participants will be able to choose from RunWest feature charities, CanToo, Better Foundation and PCYC, or select one close to their own heart to raise money for. 

Fundraising outcomes for feature charities will be re-directed into Western Sydney initiatives. The RunWest Community Challenge program will further engage all members of the community, giving students, sports fans, running clubs and social groups who register for the challenge financial incentives for their clubs. 

All schools registered will receive a 50% rebate on all registration fees attributed to that school to reinvest into PDHPE programs. They will also receive a six-week training program conducted by Athletics Australia accredited coaches. 

Schools within the Greater Western Sydney region will vie for a cash prize pool for the school with the largest participation per capita. 

The GWS Giants, NSW Rugby League, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney Thunder will be involved in the RunWest Community Challenge program as well, with their challenges designed to have a year-round impact on the local community and create significant legacy for the region. Race registrations are now open. 

For more information or to register for RunWest, please visit www.runthewest.com.au