ALBURY-Wodonga's biggest joint event, the City2City, will be held in February, but limited to 2500 runners.
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COVID-19 had threatened to scuttle the running, but organisers have taken inspiration from the successful staging of the Adelaide Marathon with restrictions.
Under the revised model to be launched on Friday, 7.5km, 10km and 15km fun runs from Albury to Wodonga will be held on February 21 and the walk and talk will be a virtual event across that month.
City2City organising committee chairwoman Michelle Hudson said an entirely virtual version had been contemplated as well postponing it until later in 2021.
"But the decision was that if we delayed it we may not find a date that's suitable," Ms Hudson said.
"It's when we came across the Adelaide Marathon in September and had their model of how it operated as a COVID-safe event that we thought the concept of a fun run was more of a reality."
Under that system, there will be a trickle start with each runner in a chute and setting off in bunches of three to four with 10-second gaps.
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The 10km and 15km events will be limited to 1000 entrants each and the 7.5km run to 500 contestants.
In recent years the City2City has drawn between 4000 and 4500 with the inclusion of walk and talk participants.
The walk and talk will be uncapped with entrants able to register and stage their own event through February.
Twin Cities mayors Kevin Mack and Kev Poulton lauded the staging of the City2City which will pass the site of where the border checkpoint was in Wodonga Place.
"I can't think of a better way to demonstrate the strength of our cross-border community than running the roads or walking the bike paths that connect our two cities," Albury mayor Cr Mack said.
Wodonga mayor Cr Poulton added: "After the year we've had, the City2City provides a great opportunity to say thank you to the staff of Albury Wodonga Health and reconnect the communities of Albury and Wodonga."
Ms Hudson said the possibility of hosting the event solely on the NSW side of the border had been discussed, as Victoria endured restrictions, but it was dismissed.
"The whole concept of City2City is based on cross border local health services and it's two cities coming together and we thought it wouldn't be the City2City if we ran it in only one state," she said.
"It didn't feel right."
The removal of the border checkpoints last month was the final step needed for organisers deciding to proceed.
If there is an outbreak of coronavirus prompting restrictions, the entire event will become virtual, Ms Hudson said.
Entries are not opening until January 11, to account for possible changes after the Christmas-New Year period.
As in previous years, funds from entry fees will aid a facet of Albury Wodonga Health.
For 2021, they will finance improvements to staff rooms, a nod to the toil through the COVID crisis and the need to make life a bit more comforting for workers.
Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Michael Kalimnios said he was "extremely grateful" for the community and business support provided through the Hume Bank-sponsored event.
"Our team...has done an amazing job this year supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, ravaged first by bushfires, followed by the impacts of COVID-19," Mr Kalimnios said.
"The City2City will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their great work."
