RUNNERS took to the Heritage Trail last Sunday as the Darlington Half Marathon and 8km Fun Run returned to the Perth Hills, attracting close to 700 participants.

The annual event, now in its 57th year, started at Darlington Oval and followed the trail through bushland towards Mundaring before looping back.

West Australian Marathon Club assistant race director Deb Anderson said 542 runners completed the half marathon, while 157 took part in the 8km event.

“It’s just a really nice course, and runners like the downhill return to the finish,” she said.

The half marathon course followed the heritage trail towards Sculpture Park in Mundaring before returning to Darlington, while the 8km event turned around near Glen Forrest.

Ms Anderson said the course was accessible to a wide range of runners.

“It’s not a very technical course, but it’s a great run,” she said.

The Darlington Half Marathon was first held in 1970 with fewer than 15 runners and has grown into one of the longest-running community running events in the Perth Hills.

The event has previously been won by Olympian Robert de Castella, who competed in the race in 1980.

The 8km event was introduced in 1986 to encourage broader participation.

Ms Anderson said the event maintained a strong community focus, supported by about 80 volunteers.

“It’s a really nice community event,” she said.

The event also supported Hannah’s House, with the club donating between $2000 and $3000 each year to the charity, which provides care for children with complex medical needs.

Organisers said the club contributed more than $36,000 to charities last year through its events and fundraising activities.

Matt Burton won the men’s half marathon in one hour, 14 minutes, 49 seconds, while Ashlee Ritson won the women’s race in one hour, 27 minutes, 22 seconds.

In the 8km event, Oli Jameson took out the men’s race in 30 minutes, 17 seconds while Jess Byrd was the first female finisher in 30 minutes, 39 seconds.