General News
19 February, 2026
A race for young and old
AGE is no barrier for Stuart McArthur, who at 88-years-old is preparing to lace up for next Friday’s Terang and District Lions Club 44th annual Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk.
Mr McArthur is no stranger to the event, having taken part 15 times in the past 24 years.
The former federal member for Corangamite, and husband to Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur, said he was excited to once again be lacing up the runners for the beloved event.
“I have run in the Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk 15 times, I’ve counted in my journal,” he said.
“I started in 2002, which is a fair while ago.
“I’ve missed a few over the years, but not to worry.
“I’ve signed up – my training program hasn’t been going too well but I’m hoping to start getting in more practice runs.”
Mr McArthur is a prominent long-distance runner who has taken part in events far and wide.
He said the Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk rates among his favourite due the unique nature of the event which brings together quality runners without losing its community-centred nature.
“I think it’s such a fantastic event,” Mr McArthur said.
“For the past 43 years they have attracted some of the top runners out of western Victoria – they even had Steve Moneghetti run it.
“I think the other important thing is the run is a local event, and the Lions Club do a great job in organising it.
“You’ve got good runners, walkers and all the young kids running in it as well.
“It’s a wonderful community event and the fact they’ve survived 44 years is testament to how good of an event it is.”
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Mr McArthur said his favourite memories of the event were examples of the extremes February weather could produce.
“Two great memories stand out,” he said.
“One year we had an inch of rain during the run, and another year it was 40 degrees in the shade.
“We’ve had the extremes at the end of February when it comes to the weather.”
Mr McArthur began running around 25 years ago, and continues try and stay active well into retirement.
“I do two half marathons each year – at the Great Ocean Road in May and the half marathon in the Melbourne Marathon in October,” he said.
“I do the Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk each year, and look at joining a couple of other 10 kilometre runs where I get the chance.”
He said he hoped to see the starting line full of participants as the Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk grows from strength to strength.
The forecast 25-degree weather with a light breeze is far from the extremes Mr McArthur fondly remembers, but he said the day was shaping up to be the perfect chance for everyone to “get out on the track”.
“It’s an iconic event,” he said.
“I hope, and I know the Lions do too, that there will be a big roll-up.
“We’re starting a bit earlier this year to avoid the train, and we hope to get to 50 years.”
The Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk kicks off on Friday, February 27 from 6pm for the all abilities event and 6.10pm for the walk and run from Noorat.