AUSTRALIAN marathon legend Steve Moneghetti, AM will return to Coffs Harbour in September for the Bendigo Bank Running Festival.　

This will be the fifth year Moneghetti has been the event’s ambassador and he is planning on taking part in the half marathon.

He claimed victory in this event in 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2013 he won the 10km event and finished 3rd in the half marathon after using the 10km as a warm up.　

After an Achilles operation last November followed by a few months of rehabilitation, Moneghetti is almost back to top-form, taking out the 10km event of the Whitehaven Beach Run last month, in a slick time of 34 minutes.　

Moneghetti said it is important to support grassroots events and he is looking forward to returning to the Coffs Coast. 　

“There are not many events where you can run from the centre of the city to the beach and back along a beautiful track,” Moneghetti said.

“I’m looking forward to returning and supporting a great initiative put on by Village Sports.

“It’s important to come back and support the local running community. It is a great family event and hopefully, being a part of the event will encourage other people to have a special day and maybe run a bit harder.”　

The Bendigo Bank Running Festival on September 4 is just six weeks away and offers the choice of a half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km and 3km distances all held on the Coffs Creek Walkway.

Early bird pricing is available until next weekend and organisers urge those planning on taking part not to delay their entries. 　

For more information and to enter go to villagesports.com.au.