Devoted runners will set off on a gruelling 42km jog through Hallora’s hills next month to raise money for Peter Mac Cancer Research.

More than 300 have signed up for the Hallora Marathon Festival so far, with the event on track to beat their $8000 fundraising goals.

Organiser Daniel Pratt said it was fantastic to see enthusiasm from participants after the event was cancelled.

“Especially with the disappointment in February last year, it’s great to have everyone back and getting that buzz from participants and the community,” he said.

Marathoners will set off from the Hallora Rec Reserve on Sunday, where they’ll run along the undulating Main South Road into Drouin before facing a final hill on the two towns trail to Warragul.

“The marathoners have a tough cut coming from Hallora, there’s a bit more hills out there and then you get the big hill in between Drouin and Warragul on the trail that sorts most people out,” Pratt said.

The shorter runs start at Western Park in Warragul and follow the path towards Drouin.

16km and 24km runners will take off after the marathon, followed by the 5km and 8km runners.

With the cancellation of much of the winter sport season, many have used long distance running to stay physically and mentally fit.

“A lot of people have started picking up running these last 12 months just as a way to stay healthy and get outside to do something,” Pratt said.

Many from the Baw Baw runners group get together every Tuesday and Thursday to train for the long distance runs. For marathoners, it’s a way to stay motivated.

“It’s that attainment, they look forward to that success of achieving that big run.

“The Baw Baw Runners is great because people get involved and work together so I think that’s a big motivating thing for a lot of people,” Pratt said.

Registrations for the event are open until Friday, with the run taking place on Sunday.

Event organisers are appealing for more volunteers to help out on the day.