MARATHON runners took to the highway for the first Duchess Dusk to Dawn charity run to raise money for Tour de Cure.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service team took first place, with the Mount Isa Police and the general public also taking part in the fundraiser hosted by Katrina Gall.
“It was awesome, a brilliant night,” Ms Gall said.
“Everyone said they’re going to come back next year, which is always a good event when they want to come back for more after running 100 kilometres.”
Townsville resident Akiko Nishi travelled to Mount Isa to take part in the event.
“I used to live in Mount Isa, so Katrina and Alison and Lisa are all good friends of mine,” Ms Nishi said.
“It was a long drive, but it was absolutely worth it.
“It was really fun, it was something different. The vibe was so exciting right at the end with the Flying Doctors and the police and our team.”
Spectators say the race was neck to neck between the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Ms Nishi’s two-person team up until the last minute.
“We ended up coming second, it was very close with the police at the end, there was only about a kilometre between us," Ms Nishi said.
Ms Gall said that the support of people from outside Mount Isa was excellent.
“Akiko and I have been friends for years, and for her to come out here to do this race with me is just awesome. I’m honoured that she’s come out here to do this with me,” Ms Gall said.
Owner of Gecko Outdoor Sports, Alison Whitehead, said there were no injuries along the way.
“We must give special thanks to the police, because they’ve done a marvellous job,” Ms Whitehead said.
“We had two police vehicles out there for the whole race.
“Senior Sergeant Col Henderson came out to the start and gave us a race briefing, and it was fantastic to really see them get behind this event,” she said.
Ms Gall lost her father to cancer, as well as her mother in law, and says that this is her inspiration for fundraising for the event.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s come in and supported us.”
I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s come in and supported us.
- Katrina Gall
The Duchess Dusk to Dawn fundraising total will be tallied up at the end of this week, with all proceeds going to Tour de Cure.
Anyone wishing to donate to Ms Gall can do so on her online Tour de Cure profile.
