YCW Harriers Build Community Through Ballarat Running Events

YCW Harriers, based at Llanberris Reserve, organises and takes part in track, cross country and road running events across the Ballarat region. The club fields teams in distances from short fun runs to full marathons and works with local venues to stage competitions that draw residents together.

Club operations at Llanberris Reserve

YCW Harriers runs regular training sessions and event entries from its base at Llanberris Reserve. Members prepare for races held at Lake Wendouree and Ballarat Town Hall, handling entries, course logistics and volunteer rosters that keep events running smoothly. This structure allows the club to support both competitive athletes and beginners who join group runs.

Events that connect runners and causes

The Ballarat Marathon and Running Festival takes place over two days at Lake Wendouree and Ballarat Town Hall, with distances from the 1 mile to the full marathon. The Memory Walk & Jog follows at Lake Wendouree Gardens, offering shorter courses that families can complete together. Earlier events such as the Ballarat Christmas Fun Run at Victoria Park and the Walk for Prems at Lake Wendouree have shown how the club and its partners turn participation into support for local health initiatives.

Scale of participation and fundraising

The 2026 Ballarat Marathon and Running Festival recorded nearly 12,000 registrations and raised $160,000 for charities. These figures reflect the reach of events coordinated with input from YCW Harriers and similar groups that supply marshals, timing support and post-race activities.

Registrations remain open for the April dates, and interested runners can check the official calendar for entry details and course maps. Participants are encouraged to review the listed distances and charity options before signing up.