Tinaroo event not for the feint hearted

AN annual Tinaroo event aptly named the ‘Grin n Bear It Challenge’ was held recently, with competitors enduring hours of rigorous activity, completing a 2km swim, a 12km paddle, a 62km mountain bike ride and a 12km trail run.

Tears 4 Beers cross the finish the line for second place in the All Female Team division

Murray Macpherson and Hilary Bell both returned and defended their male and female solo titles respectively, with Hilary rounding out a first-ever three in a row.

“Competitors encountered tough conditions with the sweaty afternoon run leg being a decisive factor in final team placings,” event coordinator Mitch Nissen said.

Murray defended his Solo Male title with a time of 5:51:52 and Hilary won the Solo Female category, almost 45 minutes ahead of second place, with a time of 6:24:46.

The winners of the All Male Team category went to Smurf and Turf and the All Female Team title went to Girl Torque.

Blackzero All Torque took out the Mixed Team category.

“A special mention to the champion youth team of Josiah Dixon, Levi Gunton and Finn Rae, named ‘Can’t Whine, Too Young For That’, who stormed past ‘The Brork Life’ late in the piece to take second place.

“Only narrowly missing out on the overall All Male Team top placing by a mere 1m36s.

“Nonetheless it was a gutsy effort from the young Atherton-Mareeba team and we look forward to seeing them back in 2025 for another shot at the top spot,” Mitch said.