Margie Maccoll
Run for 44 years the King of the Mountain race has come to an end after organisers the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club decided stricter conditions imposed on the race by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) would “compromise its essence“.
“The King of the Mountain race has been a source of excitement, challenge, and camaraderie for runners, volunteers, sponsors, performers, and spectators alike,“ the Lions Club posted.
“The race committee’s dedication to providing a safe yet thrilling experience, complete with the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Mt Cooroora finishing chute, has left an indelible mark on the community.
“The decision to bid farewell to the race has been a weighty one. A continued deterioration of track conditions has prompted the QPWS to impose stricter conditions for this year’s permit approval.
“Over the years, the race committee has proactively worked to ensure the race supports the wellbeing of the mountain as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, to meet new permit conditions, the race is required to be adjusted in a way that the race committee believes would compromise its essence too much.“
In recent years organisers have made several changes including reducing race numbers from more than 100 to 80, altering the course of the main race which increased its length from 4.2-5.2km, moving the start/finish line and altering the course of the Prince and Princess race.
A Department of Environment, Science and Innovation spokesperson said the only amendment requested this year has been that the start is staggered over two stages of 40 competitors each.
“This will help protect the environmental and cultural values of Mt Cooroora and the Tuchekoi National Park, as well as the safety of competitors,“ the spokesperson said.
“The event, a timed foot race up and down a narrow track to Mt Cooroora’s summit, has had more than 100 participants in past years.
“This has caused environmental and safety issues, particularly when competitors who have reached the summit begin to descend and meet competitors who are still ascending.
“The resultant bottlenecks have seen entrants running off the track and into environmentally fragile and sensitive areas, and tripping and falling, often in places where their safety is at significant risk.
“QPWS believes the capping of entry numbers and starting the event over two stages will minimise these impacts and safety risks.“
Lions club member and organiser Heather Manders said the proposed changes would change the fabric of the race and increase the time volunteers would need to be stationed along the course, including on the mountain.
She said runners ascending the mountain had always given way to those on the way down and there were other environmental factors at play on the mountain including a bushfire, its popularity with walkers throughout the year and the absence of a marked track at the top.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with QPWS,“ Heather said.
“We respect their decision and let them know that we won’t be signing it. They’re still in negotiations with us.
“We’re saddened by it but we’re comfortable with it.“
“QPWS continues to be willing to negotiate a reasonable resolution with the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club that reduces the impact on the environment and culturally sensitive areas and minimises the safety risk to competitors,“ the departmental spokesperson said.
Heather said Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club would await a response from QPWS but could hold their heads high after running an “amazing“ event last year and would focus on this year’s Pomona Family Fun Day scheduled for 28 July at Stan Topper Park with free rides and attractions.
Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, who has long been MC of the race, described it as an event that was a “highlight in our communities’ calendar every year, as well to the many thousands of visitors from across the world“.
“I thank each and every one of the fabulous volunteers who have made this possible for over four decades.
“Now let us all get behind and fully support the KOM Committee and the Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club in this decision and ensure the Pomona Family Fund Day becomes a much-loved favourite for all, which I know it will be,“ she said.
