IT’S all systems go for Narrawong’s largest community event on Sunday except for one thing – the organisers of Mouth2Mouth would dearly love to see more participants.

Entries are a bit light for the 2022 version of the event, the first in two years after the coronavirus pandemic restrictions ruled it out 12 months ago.

Mouth2Mouth, apart from being Narrawong’s largest event is also a major community fundraiser which enables the likes of the lifesaving education program for children and the lifeguards on the beach to be funded.

It consists of three runs – over 14km, 7km and 3km – and a social walk over the same distances.

There is a change this year – all events start and end at the Narrawong Recreation Reserve, being ‘out and back’ courses along the beach, not going to the Fitzroy River mouth at all.

The events at Mouth2Mouth are co-ordinated by the Portland Runners Club.

President Tony Curran said online entries to date had been “disappointing” as people were reluctant to commit with the current coronavirus situation.

“The 14km one is holding up all right but we haven’t got that many for the others,” he said.

“We hope to get a surge of entries on the weekend and on the day and I think we’ll have enough to make it a good event.

“I just think that the climate is that people don’t want to commit to an event and have it pulled out from under them but we’re hoping people would be keen to get out and have a go.

“I think just over the last couple of years people are going towards more recreational running than competitive running. They are quite happy to do jogs and runs and use Strava (an internet service that tracks what they do).”

And there was plenty up for grabs on Sunday – Yumbah Aquaculture is sponsoring the runs with about $1000 up for grabs, while Narrawong Island Holiday Park has sponsored the walks, for which there are spot prizes.

“We do have a big carrot with the Yumbah sponsorship,” Mr Curran said.

“They’ve stuck by us and we’re grateful for that.”

Mouth2Mouth chairwoman Kathy Taylor said it was “all happening” with the 13th running of the event.

While organisers would prefer most people went the “COVID safe” way and entered online, registering on the day would now be available – registrations would be open from 8am, with the events due to start at 10am.

“It would be great to see more entries,” she said.

“It all fits together, Mouth2Mouth, the nippers program and the lifeguards on the beach.”

Though there is no carnival this year, there will be a Rotary barbecue and coffee van at the end of the event, as well as the usual spot prize of a weekend in a cabin at Narrawong Island Holiday Park, as well as a raffle which featured prizes such as paintings by Narrawong artists Brett Jarrett and Alison Aplin as well as a basket of local produce. To register online visit mouth2mouth.com.au – all entrants in any of the events must show evidence of double vaccination or exemption to take part.