Mountain climb: ultimate challenge

IT TAKES a certain kind of athlete to tackle Noosa hinterland’s Mount Cooroora, but more than 100 people have already registered to run the almost vertical mountain.
The Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge is indeed a challenge, with competitors needing strength, agility, balance and determination to conquer the mountain.
In the past, there have been clear winners, but this year it’s an open field with the crown up for grabs.
Race co-ordinator Barry Steward said he was not game to pick a winner so early.
“It’s looking like a strong field, but with seven-time winner Neil Labinsky not running, and last year’s winner Ben Duffus still unconfirmed, the race is wide open,” he said.
Run as the main event of the Wimmers’ Pomona King of the Mountain one-day festival (KOTM), the Mountain Challenge has a steep history in friendly competition.
Local man Bruce Samuels first raced up the hill in under an hour, before returning to the pub to share his accomplishment. Having run on his own, his friends demanded a supervised run to prove he could conquer Mount Cooroora – which he did, with 20 minutes to spare.
The current record is held by Neil Labinsky, with an impressive time of 22 minutes and 43 seconds set in 2009.
Today, the challenge brings competitors from around the country and world, including eight New Zealand competitors who will travel to Pomona to take part. Shona Stephenson from Brisbane will aslo take part.
The Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge starts at 3pm on 27 July.
Spectators can follow all the excitement and drama of the race on a huge outdoor screen from Stan Topper Park.
The festival holds plenty of activities for the whole family throughout the day. Along with heritage markets, there will be the Cooroy Rag Animal Farm, amusement rides and live music with The Whiskey Mountain Boys. Keith Gall, champion woodcarver and Australian entertainer will be in action with his chainsaw.
For more information, checkout the Wimmers’ King Of The Mountain website for more details: www.kingofthemountain.com.au.