ONE of Portland’s biggest running events returns on Sunday with the Winter Solstice Fun Run back after a two-year hiatus.

The event features three different courses throughout the day and provides an opportunity for the community to get active together during the depths of winter.

Event organisers, Portland Runners Club, are hoping numbers will return to pre-COVID form for the event with community support a key in offering the runs.

“We’ve got some good numbers signed up but we’re hopeful some more people join up in the next day or so and on the day,” race coordinator Dawn Reynolds said.

“It would be great to get a few more numbers, particularly in the walking events.

“People can definitely sign up on the day.”

The biggest event for the day is the 25km trail run that starts at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse and follows the Great South West Walk back to the finish line at Ploughed Field.

It’s only the second time the trail run has been a part of the event after its inception in 2019.

“The track is amazing out there,” Reynolds said.

“We took some drone footage earlier in the week and the work the Friends of the Great South West Walk group have done to upkeep the track is just amazing.”

The staple run of the event is the 15km lighthouse to lighthouse which begins at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse and follows the road back into the finish line. The 15km event is offered in both walking and running.

The 9km event, which is also a walking and running event, takes place in town with runners completing a track along the foreshore and around the lagoon before finishing at Ploughed Field.

“The 15 and 25 kilometre runs have some good numbers at the moment and they’re pretty similar in participants; there’s definitely plenty of room for walkers to also have a go at the 15km event,” Reynolds said.

“The 15 is a great achievable distance for walkers who want a bit of a challenge.

“The 9km is a great walk to enter into and just have a go at; it’s perfect for the park runners and people who just want to be involved.”

There will also be a 1km fun run for any kids who want to get involved which is kicking off at approximately 11.30am.

All of the events will finish at Ploughed Field, across from the Portland Hospital, where there will be a food van and plenty of atmosphere for those who want to go down and enjoy the event.

“The weather is looking pretty good so far,” Reynolds said.

“We’ve got the food van, Bakin with Love, who will be there and they have heaps of food and there will be coffee.”

Online entries are open until midday tomorrow and participants can collect their bibs from Groke between 2pm-5pm tomorrow or no later than 7am on the day.

Participants can still register on the day.

For more information on how to register or events on offer head to www.portlandrunnersclub.com.au.