Years of dedication, fundraising and volunteer effort are finally paying off for the communities ― as they prepare to bare the fruits of their labour.
On October 11, those people will get the chance to run, walk and enjoy the trail they worked so hard to create ― at the Kotta Locky Fun Run.
The inaugural event has been organised following the finalisation of the lease between the trail and the business centre, and falls neatly in line with the Cotta Hall's 100th anniversary celebrations.
Lockington Kotta Rail Trail committee member Wendy Sims said the day was about getting people on to the trail and enjoying what the community had worked so hard to establish.
“It’s good we’ve got another event where we can bring our community together,” she said.
Open to all ages, the event will feature a 1km dash for children, with young participants treated to an ice cream at the finish line.
Adults will take home a commemorative cap featuring the Cotta Lockington Railway symbol, made possible through the generous sponsorship of Worklocker Echuca.
The day will also include a barbecue provided by the Lockington Lions Club, with organisers hoping the event provides a relaxed opportunity for the community to come together.
All money raised on the day will go directly back into the rail trail, funding additional gravel and ongoing maintenance to keep the trail in great shape for the whole community.
Ms Sims said the area had always been home to a particularly active and welcoming community, and the trail had become a meaningful place for people to come together and connect.
“With so many challenges in life at the moment, it’s important for people’s mental health to have things we can do together and to know there’s a community around you,” she said.
“It will be a very rewarding day.”
The fun run marks the first major event held on the trail — a proud milestone for a community that has worked tirelessly for years to bring this project to life.
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