The stage is set for Lismore’s much-loved Darrel Chapman Fun Run for it to be the biggest in its 30-year history.

This Sunday, 31 August, will see over 800 runners, walkers and families take part in either the 10km Run and the Lismore Masters Half Marathon or the family-friendly 4km Walk and Run.

Before they take off, 50 volunteers will be setting up the start line, marquees for registration and bib pick-up, water stations on the course, and, of course, medical observers, like Dr Chris Ingall, will be cycling the course in case help is needed. St John's Ambulance will also be in attendance, as will physiotherapists waiting to massage exhausted athletes once they complete their runs.

Importantly, Lismore City Council has completed some roadwork on Winterton Parade as you head out to the Lismore Turf Club, so there will be less potholes for runners to negotiate, plus DJ Deb will have motivational music playing at the 2km mark for the run out and the run back to Woodlark Street.

Proudly sponsored by National Australia Bank Lismore, the event raises funds for children’s charity, Our Kids, and celebrates the spirit of the Lismore community.

For those who have registered online, bibs can be collected on Friday, 29 August from 9.30am to 4.30pm at NAB in Woodlark Street. If you have not registered, you can still participate by registering from 6am at the registration tent on Woodlark Street on the day.

Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, Rebekka Battista, is looking forward to the event, with the starting gun set to fire for the first race at 7am in Woodlark Street.

“One fun element each year is the guess-the-shirt-colour tradition for the 10km and 21km competitors. It’s the best-kept secret and will be revealed on Friday,” Ms Battista said.

“Sponsored this year by local company Bennett Constructions, the shirts are much loved and can be seen all over the Northern Rivers throughout the year.”

The action begins at 7am with the Lord’s Taverners 10km Run and the Lismore Masters Half Marathon, followed by the family-friendly Terania Consulting 4km Walk and Run at 9am.

All funds raised go to Our Kids, the charity that raises funds to help support children with special needs and chronic illness in the Northern Rivers.

This year, Our Kids will put the funds towards purchasing a GlideScope CORE System for Byron Central Hospital’s Emergency Department – a vital airway visualisation system offering high-definition image quality for intubation.

The paediatric blades provide a clear view of a child’s airway, enhancing treatment and supporting teaching techniques. This equipment will be an invaluable asset for babies and children in the Byron Shire who need urgent care.

Participants will want to know about the weather for Sunday. The Bureau of Meteorology are saying sunny and 19 degrees; however, it will be a very cold start to the 10km and Half Marathon events, with the mercury to drop to 3 degrees.

The general rule is that the coldest part of the day is about 30 minutes after sunrise. At the moment, sunrise is at 6:06am, so 6:36am, just before the start, will be the coldest part of Sunday.

For more information, visit https://www.darrelchapman.org/ or contact Rebekka Battista at Our Kids on 0438 417 085.