A RECORD number of 130 competitors lined up for this year’s Ride Well Porcupine Gorge Challenge, located 60km north of Hughenden.
The event which was held late last month saw competitors come from across North Queensland to tackle the picturesque eight-kilometre run within the spectacular National Park.
Runners and walkers who participated in the challenge took in the breathtaking sights while navigating their way through creeks, boulders and brush, before making the marathon climb to the top of the Gorge.
Race organiser Sue Turner said the unique run combines all the virtues of being outdoors with the exhilaration of putting your body and mind to the test.
“It’s a family friendly environment and where children as young as two take part alongside adults as senior as in their 70s,” she said.
“I was inspired to see so many runners in their seniors participate and do very well in the Challenge and we had more senior participants than ever this year.”
For adults, the 8km track follows the Porcupine Creek along the base of the Gorge before the climb to the top while juniors make the climb a little earlier on a modified track.
Charters Towers pair Joel Sharpe and David Hanna were the first two across the line while Prairie local finished in third and Mudgee runner Nick Kastelein rounded out the top four.
Croydon runner Sarah West was the first female home, beating Charters Towers based runner-up Jodie Pollock by three minutes.
Hughenden’s own Christine Hargreaves was third in the open women’s race and Longreach’s Jodie Moore finished in fourth.
The under-16 boy’s winner was Prairie’s Casey Rankine while Townsville runner Jordan Hillier took out the girl’s event.
Hughenden trio Tristan Creagh, Lawsen Ford and Riley Flute were the top three in the under-12 boys and fellow local Shanelle Flute took out the girl’s title.
Trophies, prizes and prize money totalling over $3500 were presented by Flinders Shire Council Mayor Greg Jones and Judy Davis from the Townsville Running Festival.
The Challenge was backed up the next day by the Mt Walker Fun Run, with athletes starting at the base of Mt Walker before making the steep climb to the top, to be greeted by 360 degree views of the Flinders Shire beyond.
