Thousands to lace up for 50th City to Casino family fun run in Greater Hobart

On your marks. Thousands will lace up their sneakers to take part in the city’s biggest family fun run this Sunday. Will you be joining in the action?

Charlie Rose 9, Harry Rose 11, George Anagostis 11, Jack Smith 6, Josh Beattie 10, Henry Smith 10 who are some of the members of the Waimea Heights Primary School team who will take part in the City to Casino fun run. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Celebrating 50 years of being Tasmania’s largest family fun run, thousands of people will take their marks in the City to Casino Fun Run and Walk on Sunday.

This year’s race will be bittersweet for C2C race director Haydyn Nielsen who is retiring after being involved in the event for 50 years.

Taking over the event are co-race event organisers Tim Smith and Kim Gillard.

Mr Smith said there has been an increase in the number of participants compared to last year.

“There’s been a real drop off in running events in numbers since Covid, and it’s good to see an increase this year,” he said.

Tasmanians have the option to participate in different distances, including the 12km run starting at MyState Bank Arena, a 7km run and walk starting at Cornelian Bay or a 2.7km run at Supreme Court. All races finish at Wrest Point Casino.

While Mr Smith will be organising the event at MyState Bank Area and at Wrest Point Casino, his two children and wife will be participating in the 2.7km run.

“It’s sort of like a family event,” he said.

Charlie Rose 9, Harry Rose 11, George Anagostis 11, Jack Smith 6, Josh Beattie 10, Henry Smith 10 who are some of the members of the Waimea Heights Primary School team who will take part in the City to Casino fun run. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The event is all about getting families out and there’s a race for the adults, there’s a race for people who want to do the 7km distance and they don’t feel like they can run the full 12km and then there’s the kids race which is the 2.7km.

“It opens it up for everyone, which is good and parents can join in with the younger ones in the 2.7km which is always really nice.”

Tasmania Jack Jumpers basketball star Clint Steindl will be down at the casino lawns shooting hoops with kids who participated in the event.

“We’ve moved the race start to MyState Arena and are trying to involve the JackJumpers,” he said.

“We’re the largest family fun run and they’re the largest family entertainment sporting wise so it made sense.

Three locations will have road closures throughout the event.

Brooker Hwy at MyState Bank Arena, Cornelian Bay, Salamanca Place at Davey St, Evans St and Sandy Bay Rd will have road closures from 7.45am until 10am.