The O’Keefe Challenge has five different individual events to run or walk to cater for all levels of fitness and experience.

So, no matter what level you are at, we have a challenge for you on the trails between Bendigo and Heathcote.

Jump to view an event:

From Knowsley to the heart of Heathcote, this run follows the historic O’Keefe Rail Trail passing Lake Eppalock, open fields and dense bushland. It is a mostly flat route, so is accessible to everyone.

As the trail approaches Heathcote, runners will enjoy a sealed walking track and a fast road section before their final dash across the grass into the finishing chute on Barrack Reserve oval.

The O’Keefe Challenge 10km offers those that enjoy runs of this classic distance a satisfying challenge on a cross country course that will take in part of the McIvor Ranges and run along the beautiful McIvor Creek Trail.

For the novice runner who has not competed off the bitumen in an event, it is a perfect event to become more accustomed to running away from the bitumen without it being too rough. We expect it will attract a few who enjoy ‘light trail running’ or find bitumen boring, too.

The 5km Connally’s Real Estate Run / Walk Against Dementia is a picturesque course finishing at Barrack Reserve in the heart of Heathcote.

This event is similar in style to the popular parkrun phenomenon in that we encourage the local community to take part in improving their health, fitness and wellbeing.

Fast times are not as important: the aim is to support a great cause in the Heathcote Dementia Alliance, which promises to be game-changer in the way we look after and care for people living with dementia.

One for those with sheer speed on their minds – it’s an event for anyone who wants to give this race their best shot! The course will be based around the Main Event Site at Barrack Reserve in Heathcote and is for children aged 12 years and younger on event day. Participants may be accompanied by an adult.

An event for children 10 years and under to get dressed up as their favourite Superhero and complete a lap around the beautiful green oval at Barrack Reserve to be a part of the big day.

The whole course can be seen from the race start and finish, In this race parents are very welcome to run alongside them during the event to support them.

Each finisher will receive a participatory ribbon, however, no official times will be provided and there will be no prizes for placegetters.
(It’s a fun event, not a race!)

We have a NEW event, called the 1.5km Quiz Walk, which will be a scavenger style hunt around Heathcote.

Starting at 9:55am in Camp St just after the 5km Run and Walk.

Teams will have a series of clues to find by meandering around Heathcote township.

Each finisher will receive a participatory ribbon, however, no official times will be provided and there will be no prizes for placegetters.
(It’s a fun event, not a race!)