By Hollie Harris
A project of The Cooroy and Pomona Lion’s Club since 1979, the community-oriented King of the Mountain Festival continues to celebrate the great race and the achievements of its competitors.
This month, the 2016 Sports Federation Event of the Year, has again attracted athletes looking to secure its prestigious title in recognition of the endurance required to negotiate the course’s rugged terrain.
Reigning Queen of the Mountain and local Pomona school teacher Leslie Saunders will seek her third consecutive title and compete against dual winner Maree Stephenson from Brisbane who is back to compete for the first time since her successive wins in 2009 and 2010. Both women will also face stiff competition from New Zealand representative Robyn Muir who will race up Mt Cooroora for the first time and is the reigning Open Women’s champion of the Kawerau Mountain event.
Leslie is very excited to run this weekend as it will be her 10th year in the race.
She has been such a tough competitor over the years, and with a few wins under her belt, she has been lucky enough to be flown to New Zealand to run Kawerau.
“Those girls run big mountains over there. That race is twice as high, twice as long to run, so it’s a tough one. I was lucky enough to come 3rd last year and 2nd the two years before that,” Leslie said.
Leslie loved watching the King of the Mountain for years with her children until her friend talked her into getting involved.
“He is so supportive. He tells me I could break the 30! I would love that, but with a bit of a chest sickness right now and so many incredible racers in the line-up this year, it will be hard,” she said.
Last year, the event was recognised when it was awarded the 2016 Sunshine Coast Sports Federation Event of the Year.
