Hail the Sunshine! Time to Get Out and Race

First of all, I apologise to all readers who are not located in the Southern Hemisphere. Just think, soon it will be ski season, so life can't be that bad.

But for all of us coming into Summer: life is awesome!

This is a great seasons to get out and be active, even if that is just a walk to smell the roses.

But, why stop there? Been plodding along on a treadmill for the dark, winter months? Want to see if you have actually improved? Want to do something worthwhile and maybe meet some cool people along the way?

If you said yes to even one of those, check out the calendars for Fun Run and events happening around the place. There is so much out there, surely you will find something to tempt you.

Start to Finish has a list of up coming events, including triatholons for kids!

Check out these beauties from Runner's World - Victoria for December, going back through to November (don't ask me why).

(Also love how Runner's World asks you what state you are from: ACT, New Zealand, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA. Points for the person who can spot the odd one out.)

DateTime	EventName	Location	Distance (km)	Comments
Sun 9 Dec 12	Anaconda Adventure Race, Race #3	Lorne, VIC - Australia	1.9 swim/13 paddle/14 run/18 bike/1.2 run	Some rate the 50km course for the premier Lorne Anaconda Adventure Race as one of the hardest courses in the series. Others rate it as one of the more spectacular, especially when the sun is sparkling off the ocean in front of the adventure village event HQ, making the swim and paddle look particularly alluring. And some simply rate it as a must-do event on their bucket list of adventures.
Sun 9 Dec 12	Sri Chinmoy Williamstown Foreshore Run	Melbourne, VIC - Australia	10, 5	Location: Sadler Reserve, The Esplanade, Williamstown. Melways 56 B11. 8AM start. A picturesque, fast and flat 5km loop road circuit along Williamstown Beach. Features: Post race pancake breakfast, drink stations every 2.5km, online entry, age category awards and chip timing. Online entry available.
Wed 5 Dec 12	Emma & Tom's Christmas Run 2012	Albert Park, VIC - Australia	5,10	Get fit for summer, fundraise for a worthy cause and celebrate the festive season with us by entering the Emma & Tom’s Christmas Run. Catering for both serious runners and those participating for fun, the 5km or 10km run/walk around Albert Park Lake includes a group fitness warm-up and post event activities including event presentations, spot prizes, food and drinks.
Sat 24 Nov 12	30/50 Team Challenge	Mornington Peninsula, VIC - Australia	30, 50	The 30/50 is a team endurance event created by Australia’s leading Adventure Trekking and Events Company, SRTT.
Sat 24 Nov 12	Mirabella Mountain	Mt Buller, VIC - Australia	21.1, 10	Mirabella Mountain is the inaugural challenging mountain run/walk up Mt Buller. Choose between the 21.1 km or 10 km events followed by post event celebrations on top of the mountain. Awesome atmosphere and breathtaking scenery makes this event a unique, once in a life time opportunity.
Sun 18 Nov 12	EveryRun	Burnley, VIC - Australia	2, 5, 10, 15	This event will take place on Sunday 18 November along the beautiful Yarra Boulevard. Your entire family can choose from a range of events with discounts available for family entries (2 adults & up to 3 children). The event gets underway at 9am, with walkers and runners starting and finishing at Kevin Bartlett Reserve in Burnley. Whether you walk or run with friends and family or on your own, the day will be about participating and celebrating the joy of everyRun 2012. everyRun suppo
Sun 18 Nov 12	Eureka Climb	Melbourne, VIC - Australia	88 Floors	Eureka Climb is a charity stairclimb event up 88 floors of one of the worlds highest residential towers,Eureka Tower. Registrations to this event - Australia's highest vertical race - open in early August.
Sat 17 Nov 12	Run From The Hills	Avoca, VIC - Australia	21.5, 7, 1	Run From The Hills - The trail run which sees a brand new track put to the running community. The run starts in the heart of the Pyrenees Range State Park Forest taking participants through the newly restored Pyrenees Endurance walking trail; down 21.5k of fire road, 4wd tracks, double tracks and single track. Finishing off with a sprint to the finish line through the grape vines ending at the beautiful Mount Avoca Winery.
Sat 17 Nov 12	Upstream 50km Challenge	Melbourne, VIC - Australia	50km walk/run	50km walk/run from Docklands to Donvale. Individual, Team or Relay entry. Help raise funds for Camp Quality, Disability Sport & Recreation and Entrust Foundation. 100% of all funds raised are passed on to the beneficiaries.
Sun 11 Nov 12	Marysville Marathon Festival	Marysville, VIC - Australia	4, 10, 21.1, 42.2, 50
Sun 11 Nov 12	Arthurs Seat Challenge	Rosebud, VIC - Australia	6.7	THE ARTHURS SEAT CHALLENGE IS A 6.7km RUN/WALK, STARTING AT ROSEBUD PEIR AND FINISHING AT THE SUMMIT OF ARTHURS SEAT ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA. HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 2002, THIS EVENT AIMS TO PROMOTE THE PROFILE OF ‘FIT TO DRIVE’ A ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM HELD IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACROSS VICTORIA
Sun 4 Nov 12	Bendigo Bank Fun Run	Bendigo, VIC - Australia	5,10	The Bendigo Bank Fun Run is a fundraising event for the medical ward at Bendigo Health. People of all abilities can challenge themselves to either a 5km run/walk or a 10km run. The course is planned for Lake Weeroona, Linear Trail, QEO, historic View Street, Tom Flood sports centre, Rosiland Park and Bendigo's iconic CBD. contact: Kiri Earl. email: kearl@bendigohealth.org.au. Visit the website for more details.
Sun 4 Nov 12	Port of Portland 3-Bays Marathon	Portland, VIC - Australia	21.1, 42.2, 5 + 10 relays	The 42.195 Kms is a hilly circuit through magnificent coastal and rural countryside. Drink and first-aid stations are situated every 5 kms. along the course and manned by Portland Community groups. Sponges are available from 20 Kms. Light refreshments are provided free to all competitors and officials after the race on presentation of race number.
Sun 4 Nov 12	Lara Fun Run	Lara, VIC - Australia	5, 10, kids dash (2km)	The Lara Fun Run is a family focussed event where everyone can participate. This years event will be held on a great new course through Serendip Sanctuary, Lara. This is your only opportunity to run this great course, so dont miss out. The event aims to provide a great value, healthy, non competitive, enjoyable experience that also has numerous benefits for local not-for-profit organisations.

Well, I'll leave you with those tempting offers just to get you started.

Know of anything else that's happening around the place? Let me know!