Organisers of the Porcupine Gorge Challenge didn’t have to look far for the winner.
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The tough annual 8km trail run along the Gorge – which finishes with a gruelling 1.5km climb - was held Saturday in beautiful Porcupine Gorge National Park just 70km from Hughenden and local high school teacher Nicholas Collingwood was first across the line in a blistering time of 44 minutes and 26 seconds.
Sydneysider Gabriel Prada was second in 45.52 while Jamie Sanders of Balnagowan, Mackay was third in 46.03. Emma Burgess from Emerald was first woman across the line in 50.06, Mount Isa’s Michelle Ball was second in 52.58 while Kathy McCarthy of Hamilton Island was third in 55.02.
Organiser Taree Walsh said numbers were up this year with 140 competitors compared to 115 in 2017, a participation rate they were happy to continue with.
Among the men well down the field was a heavily huffing and puffing North West Star editor who finished in 1.10.29 – though it was five minutes faster than in 2017.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
