STRETCH out those hamstrings and warm up those quads, because after a cancelled 2020 event, the Harrietville Half Marathon is set to make its glorious return in October.

The event, scheduled for Sunday, October 3, will be the first official running of the popular event since 2019, and it hopes to attract eager runners of all ages and skill levels to participate in one of the four events on the day.

Event organiser Robyn Downey said the entire organising team are excited to bring back the popular event, after having to cancel it due to COVID restrictions last year.

“We’re excited to be planning to go ahead this year and we’re hoping that by October things would’ve settled down and we’ll be able to produce the event," Downey said.

“Of course we’re just keeping our eye on the developments with COVID, and we’ll have plans in place to do our event safely and hopefully successfully.”

The event, now in its seventh year, is one of three races run in the area – together with the Mt Beauty Half Marathon and the Bright Fun Run, the three races form the so-called Alpine Valley Trifecta.

Those who compete in each of the three events in a calendar year receive a special medal and a prize - however, due to the cancellation of the Bright event, a Bifecta is still on the table for eager...