The Fitness 5 event will start and finish on lower Crown Street in front of the Illawarra Brewery at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.

Kembla Joggers president Neil Barnett said as will the Kerryn McCann 10, which will again run in tandem with the annual Fitness 5.

The first Kerryn McCann 10 was held in 2016, 10 years after the late, great marathon runner Kerryn McCann prevailed in Melbourne to win her second straight Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Jeff Chaseling (35.11) and Lisa Goringe (43.33) were the inaugural winners of the KM10.

On Sunday, April 2 runners will again race in an event bearing her name, much to the pleasure of Barnett.

“For the first Kerryn McCann 10 we really just wanted to establish it, get it off the ground and pave the way for future events,’’ he said.

“It was pretty successful with no hiccups and favourable feedback from all competitors so we decided to keep it going.

“With Peoplecare on board this year and next as the naming rights sponsor this gives the event some certainty and we can build on last year’s success and look to make it even better going forward.

“We had over 100 entrants in the 10km last year and we hope that with all the positive publicity we will get double that this year.

“In the years ahead we have an aim for both the 5km and 10km events to eclipse 1000, which the 5km has nearly done on its own a few times in the past.’’

Shellharbour runner Witold Krajewski hopes his body will allow him to be around when the 1000 mark is finally eclipsed.

The 68-year-old has run in all previous 27 Fitness 5 events and will run in his 28th run on April 2.

The Poland-born runner is the only competitor to have run every race since its inception back in 1990.

His passion for running has seen Krajewski run more than 20 marathons in places such as Berlin, Warsaw and Sydney.

The long-time Kembla Joggers member is carrying a ‘’serious’’ knee injury but will race in the Fitness 5 and then go to Darwin in June for the Masters Athletics Championships.

“I’ve got a sore knee which is giving me a bit too much problems but nothing will stop me running this year,’’ Krajewski said. “I’ve had my injuries over the years also but I’ve never not finished a race. I’m still very competitive, but for me nowadays it is about staying healthy and I just love running.’’ Details at www.fitness5.com.au.