RUNNING: Proserpine local Sam Vinci has been running in the 10km event at the Airlie Beach Running Festival since the inaugural event four years ago.

Each year he has whittled down his time and this year he ran his best ever, a 53:04.

Vinci got into competitive running later in life and is proud to say he achieved first place in his 55-60 age group.

Though Vinci said he runs against the clock in an effort to improve each race, he also enjoys competing against others.

"On Sunday coming up to the 5km mark there was this young girl and she was just in front of me," he said.

"Every time I tried going past her she would go a little bit harder.

"Once I got around Coral Seas I just put the foot down and got past her.

"You dig deeper to stay ahead or if you have been passed you try to go a bit harder."

Vinci said the atmosphere at this year's running festival was really friendly and he enjoyed the feeling of community the event gave.

"You try to encourage others that might be struggling. It's not really a race against the next person, it's trying to better yourself," he said.

"By having other competitors with you it tends to bring out that little bit more."

Vinci said he would definitely be back next year.

"I love it because it's fun and everyone cheers you on," he said.