Port Fairy's Retro Sprint a curtain-raiser to the annual New Year's Eve procession.

Come, compete, running backwards can not only be a challenge but a lot of fun and you could add your name to the Guinness Book of Records by running backwards for Australia!

The festival's interest in staging such a race came about when enquiries to the Guinness Book of Records revealed that whilst there were world records in running backwards, there were none in Australia .

Australia's 100 metres backwards running championships began and will be staged for the fourth time as part of Port Fairy's 60th New Year's Eve celebrations. This event is proudly supported by the Port Fairy Cricket Club and the Port Fairy State Emergency Service.

Defending champions from previous years events are expected to line up in front of what Moyneyana Festival organisers expect will be a record crowd bettering last year's 12,000 plus spectators.

Last year 16 year old visitor Alex Geilings, broke the previous record with a time of 15.59 making him the new Australian Men's Champion. Port Fairy's own Joel Dwyer was the previous Australian Record holder and we invite him to take up the challenge to attempt to recover the title and others to challenge and perhaps conquer.

We would also like to see local lass Flynn Gleeson who was the winner of last years ladies race along with placegetters Jessica Van Puyenbrek and Sian Salmon participating again as well as other gals from far and wide. Guinness Book of Records fame is but 100 metres of running backwards away!

Retro running is not just a fun event but also a sport that is backed by scientific studies. Not only does it burn one third more calories than normal running, it also develops balance and is more beneficial to runners' quadriceps, reduces ground impact and enhances flexibility.

In keeping with the Port Fairy family spirit and so the younger ones will not be left out, there will be races for them on Southcombe Park prior to the Retro Race finals.

Registration is required and forms can be obtained from the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre

03 5568 2682 or by contacting Maureen Hedger on 03 55681653. Heats will be held at Southcombe Park prior to the finals at 7.30pm in Sackville Street . The finals will be run on a bitumen surface so long sleeves and long pants along with gloves and a helmet is recommended.

For general Moyneyana Festival information, Festival chairman Reg Harry can be contacted on 0438 681 237