The organisers of the unofficial fun run were fined for the event not being sanctioned and were faced with either scrapping the event or making it an official fixture.

They chose the latter, with 500 competing in last year's event and 700 entries received for Sunday's eighth running of the 28-kilometre or 56-kilometre trail from Dromana to Cape Schanck.

"Either we had to make it disappear or we had to make it official," race director Rohan Day said.

Parks Victoria capped the event at 700 entries this year, with the major concern the parking at the start and finish. But Day said plans to expand the event further were in the pipeline.

He said a change in the course for future events was needed if the number of runners was to expand further.

"With the 56-kilometre runners they turn around and run back into each other. There is a lot of politeness that has to go on and we're thinking through a way to deal with this."

While most competitors are there for the "fun" element of the run, there are some talented long-distance runners set to compete.

Day said the event held on to its charm with prime starting positions given to those who dressed to impress. "For most people it's not about the race," he said. "Most people are just there to have a happy day and enjoy a run in the bush.

The event is also trying to offset its carbon footprint as much as possible with competitor and environmentalist Jeremy Nagel setting up a car pool for the event through his website cocoride.com.au.

For more information, contact jeremy.nagel@cocoride.com.au.