General News
4 March, 2021
Nominations now open for new one day Wheelbarrow Race challenge
GET your running shoes ready and start training as the Great Wheelbarrow Race has been confirmed to run in 2021 under a new one day format.
GET your running shoes ready and start training as the Great Wheelbarrow Race has been confirmed to run in 2021 under a new one day format.
Last years event was cancelled due to COVID and to ensure that eager racers still get the chance to run the wheelbarrow way, the event has been changed to a shorter, single day format to be held on Saturday, May 15.
Teams will start at Dimbulah at 6am with a mandatory stop at Petford catered by the Irvinebank Fire Brigade, before heading onto Almaden and then finishing at the Chillagoe Town Hall.
Competitors can choose to run in three stages, the 65km Almaden Amble for social teams the 98km Pioneer Push for competitive teams and the 33km Chillagoe Chase for Solos, Duos and Trios.
Mareeba Shire Councilor and chair of The Great Wheelbarrow Race Locky Benstead is excited to bring The Great Wheelbarrow Race back in 2021.
“We always wanted to make sure we were going to do something in the name of the wheelbarrow race and the legacy it has,” he said.
“Council is offering huge support with staff , vehicles and signage so we are very lucky to have their support to make sure this race happens.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be something that a lot of teams were hungry to run last year will enjoy.”
With the new one-day format the talent quest and other such events have been cancelled to make way for new ironman style challenge.
The Great Wheelbarrow Race not only gives hungry runners another chance to run the wheelbarrow way, but it also gives a vital push to those communities doing it tough.
“It’s a very important thing to make sure we continue to bring people into these towns,” Cr Benstead said.
“If we do not have anyone coming into town, buying at takeaways, the pubs, the hardware shops, then they don’t open.
“It’s a good shot in the arm for those communities that desperately need it.”
Presentations are being held in Chillagoe and competitors are encouraged to stay around and celebrate their success.
It is unsure whether the race will return to its usual three-day format next year but it is something that Cr Benstead is hoping for.
“We don’t know what’s happening tomorrow let alone next year, I would hope that we will go back to a three-day format,” he said.
“That’s how it was started and that’s the legacy of the race.”
Nominations close on Sunday, May 1 and Cr Benstead is urging people to register sooner rather than later. Visit www.greatwheelbarrowrace.com to register.
