With the Hunter Valley Winery Running Festival taking place this Sunday, this week we take a look back at the City to Cellars Fun Run of the 1980s.
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The City to Cellars Fun Run evolved at a time running for fitness and enjoyment had started to reach its peak in other areas.
The 12.7 kilometres course ran from the Cessnock Basketball Stadium to Hungerford Hill winery and was considered one of the most testing and scenic on the fun run calendar.
The Advertiser was the major sponsor, assisted by staff at the former Batterhams Travel agency in Vincent Street.
“Each year a different charity gained profits from the event which I think amounted to around $30,000 over the five or six years the event ran,” former Advertiser managing editor Bruce Wilson said.
“Helping out on the day at water stops, clocking in runners and registrations were Cessnock Rotary, Apex and Lions Club, along with Cessnock Rescue Squad, police and medicos.
“At its peak the run attracted leading long distance runners from Sydney including a prominent Commonwealth Games competitor.
“Waning interest eventually saw the event disbanded.”
