Mighty and Proud: Inside the Wendouree Athletic Club

We’re proud to be supporting Wendouree Athletic Club through their 2025/2026 uniform - and even more proud to share their story.

Since 1949, the Wendouree Athletic Club has been at the heart of Ballarat’s running scene, a club built on grit, camaraderie, and a deep love of the sport. What began with a handful of young athletes, some barely out of school, has grown into one of Victoria’s most progressive and inclusive athletics clubs.

These days, Wendouree athletes can be found year-round, from winter mud to summer tracks. In the colder months, they join forces with other Ballarat clubs to take on the Athletics Victoria XCR series, while also fronting up at local events like the Lap of the Lake - the legendary 6km loop around Lake Wendouree that every Ballarat runner knows by heart. The lake isn’t just race day territory; it’s a training ground. You’ll spot Wendouree singlets out there three or four times a week, chasing splits and sunsets alike.

Come summer, the focus shifts to track season. Wendouree proudly became the first Ballarat club to compete in Athletics Victoria’s Premier Division, holding their own against Melbourne’s big-city clubs. The club’s home base, Llanberris Reserve, has seen it all - from dirt to asphalt to rubber - and now looks ahead to a brand-new athletics facility, set to open by the end of 2026.

Behind the results are the coaches, the backbone of the club. From sprints and distance to jumps and throws, Wendouree’s training groups are as welcoming as they are hardworking. Whether it’s 8–10×400m on the Thursday night track session or a Mona Fartlek around the lake, there’s always someone ready to jump in beside you.

Wendouree’s community runs deep. Their volunteer base - parents, grandparents, and athletes alike - keep events alive, from local meets to Nationals. And with a thriving junior program that’s been running since 1956, they’re building the next generation of athletes, with over 220 kids taking part each season.

For a regional club, Wendouree punches well above its weight - proof that spirit, culture, and a shared love of running are what really make a team mighty.