Newcastle-based Olympic runner Scott Westcott, who ran in the men’s marathon at the Rio Games in August, helped to launch the fun run in Raymond Terrace on Wednesday.

Dave “Robbo” Robertson, an organiser of the Newy parkrun and Naked Runners, hosted the launch again this year, which was also attended by Raymond Terrace parkrun run director Peter Bryan and talented junior runner Amy Summerville.

This year’s fun run will be held in Raymond Terrace on Sunday, September 25.

Participants can choose to run a 4 kilometre or 8km course. Children can take part in a 2km run.

Mr Robertson spoke at Wednesday’s launch about 2016 being the events third year.

He recognised the strong support from the event’s major sponsor, Greater Bank, plus Port Stephens Council and Raymond Terrace Athletics Club, and the increasingly strong presence of parkrun in the Terrace.

Mr Byran spoke about his journey with parkrun in Raymond Terrace, which had more than 600 people attend its launch.

He said, on average, the Saturday morning Terrace parkrun attracted a little more than 100 participants. 

Greater Bank Raymond Terrace branch manager Damien Hepworth said the event is one of 11 Run NSW community fun runs it is supporting in 2016.

He said the event will also be supporting Autism Spectrum Australia, adding that the Terrace branch staff will be on deck on the day to help with event check-in and welcome runners home as they complete their run.  

Mr Robertson had a quick chat with Miss Summerville, aged 12, who is an up-and-coming distance runner who runs for the Raymond Terrace Athletics Club.

Miss Summerville said she did not know yet whether she would enter the 4km or 8km run.

The run will start and finish at Vi Barnett Field, off Kangaroo Street.

The course will take in a loop along the Hunter River levee, down historic King Street then along Hunter and Swan streets.

The full loop is 4km, which 8km participants complete twice. 

The launch wrapped up with Mr Robertson asking Mr Westcott if he really is retired.

Three years after retiring from competitive running, and just two days after his 40^th birthday, Mr Westcott ran a qualifying time at the 2015 Berlin Marathon which secured his spot on the 2016 Rio Olympic team – his debut Olympics.

In answering the question, Mr Westcott was cagey but declared he will toe the line on September 25 as he had a few challenges from his training group including inaugural Raymond Terrace Fun Run winner Guy Walters.

“No doubt Guy will clip my heels all the way until he sprints for home,” he said.

Early bird entries are just $11.50 for children, $16.50 for the 4km and $27 for the 8km event.

Each participant will receive a gift from the Greater Bank and there will be medals major age categories in each of the three runs.

Younger runners can represent their school to go in the running for some Athletics NSW coaching clinics for their school.

For more information go to raymondterracefunrun.com.au.