ABOUT 450 runners and walkers pounded the pavement around Lake Weeroona on Sunday for the annual Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis Bendigo event.

The event raised more than $30,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, with entrants completing either a six or three kilometre run or walk in sunny and relatively mild conditions.

Organiser Kristy Hunt said Bendigo had a strong history of supporting cystic fibrosis causes.

“Bendigo has the highest population in Victoria of people living with cystic fibrosis,” she said.

“Through better research and technology, the amount proportion of those who are adults has continued to increase, showing that people are living longer and longer.

“These are people that are now able to go to university and get jobs.”

From raising $3000 at the first Great Strides Bendigo seven years, the event has expanded and regularly brings in more than 10 times that amount.

More than $45,000 was raised at last year’s event.

Music, fundraising raffles and plenty of healthy food and water was available on the shores of Lake Weeroona as runners and walkers young and old crossed the line throughout Sunday morning.