June 26, 2019
A heartwarming event at this year’s Wondai Country Running Festival drew a big roll-up for its first outing, and even bigger applause for participants.
The South Burnett CTC All Abilities Fun Run/Walk was introduced this year to help extend the Festival fun to a section of the community often overlooked in athletics events.
In all, about 40 people lined up to take part.
And once the starter set them off on the 1km course, they were free to walk, run or even ride along the course in a wheelchair.
The aim of the event was completion – not being first across the line – and everyone who finished the course was awarded a handcrafted Wondai Country Running Festival medallion, as well as an ovation from the crowd who gathered to watch Saturday morning’s events.
The Festival kicked off on the South Burnett Rail Trail at 7:00am with a morning parkrun that attracted a healthy field of 82 participants.
It was followed at 8:30am with the first of the day’s “serious” races: four CROW-FM Dash for Cash 1km sprints (for men and women over and under 40) that offered a $100 cash prize for each race winner and $50 for the runner-up, then the All Abilities Race and then a 2km Family Fun Run/Walk that drew 55 entries.
Nearby, in Coronation Park, a bigger-than-usual Wondai Country Markets got under way with 110 stall holders selling everything from pot plants to stuffed potatoes, and curries to chutneys, along with a packed program of entertainment at the Percy Iszlaub Sound Shell.
Cyclists weren’t forgotten, either.
Those who preferred cycling to running could take part in a relaxed 30km ride from Wondai to Murgon and back overseen by the South Burnett Mountain Bike Club.
And in the afternoon, runners in search of bigger challenges could take part in a 10km foot race through the nearby McEuen State Forest, or relax at a concert held at Wondai’s Town Hall.
On Sunday, the Festival concluded around lunchtime after runners lined up in the early dawn light for their choice of a 10km, 21.1km half marathon or 42.2km full marathon, while cyclists took a ride through the McEuen Forestry.
Festival organisers said they were “very happy” with this year’s attendance numbers, which were bigger than last year, and just as pleased with the weather which stayed sunny and dry throughout the weekend.
* * *
Results
CROW-FM Dash For Cash
Men 40 and Over
1. Stephen O’Connor 00:03:03
2. Mick Freeman 00:03:04
3. Simon Phillips 00:03:16
Men Under 40
1. James Maxwell 00:02:53
2. Tom Fryer 00:03:02
3. Francis Hobbs 00:03:19
Women 40 and Over
1. Angela Knight 00:04:06
2. Tamie Butler 00:04:19
Women Under 40
1. Paige O’Connor 00:03:18
2.: Kirsten O’Connor 00:03:18
3. Amanda Worsely 00:04:32
10km PCA Forest Trail Run
Masters Male – Stephen O’Connor 00:42:24
Masters Female – Margie Shearer 00:57:34
Adult Male – James Maxwell 00:44:26
Adult Female – Kaliki James 00:56:19
Junior Male – Jericho Pogany 00:47:39
Junior Female – Paige O’Connor 00:48:40
10km PCA Rail Trail Run
Masters Male – Stephen O’Connor 00:37:36
Masters Female – Nicole Robinson 00:51:37
Adult Male – Paul Carter 00:39:06
Adult Female – Madison McBride 00:47:15
Junior Male – Matthew Paxton 00:44:43
Junior Female – Paige O’Connor 00:43:05
Bendigo Bank Half Marathon
Masters Male – Jeffrey Farrell 01:22:49
Masters Female – Andrea Mickelbourgh 01:51:02
Adult Male – Chris Podlich 01:28:58
Adult Female – Roz Quirk 01:27:08
Ken Mills Marathon
Masters Female – Kristine Byrne 05:09:44
Adult Male – Simon Phillips 03:31:33
Adult Female – Khloe Healy 03:22:42
- External link: Full race results
* * *
Related articles:
[UPDATED]
