Around 200 trail run enthusiasts are set to traverse the Whitsundays’ Conway National Park on 19 August as they compete in the region’s popular annual running event, Run the Great Whitsunday Trail.
Now in its twelfth year, the Whitsunday Running Club event remains a magnet for runners, with participants coming from all over Australia.
The Trail, which originally involved just a one-way 28.7-kilometre trek, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, has since grown to include three events on the one day, with runners’ endurance tested over a 9-kilometre course, a 28.7-kilometre course, and an ultra-distance event that stretches 57.4 kilometres.
According to Run the Great Whitsunday Trail Event Manager, Wendy Downes, the event is attended by some of Australia’s top trail runners and has been heralded as one of the best and most challenging trail runs in the country.
“Each year the Trail really tests the strength of runners, with all participants required to trek the rugged terrain of the Conway National Park within the stated cut-off time.
“We’ve added a 9-kilometre Honeyeater Challenge to the event this year, which will see runners take on the steep incline from Airlie Beach Lagoon to Honeyeater Lookout and back.
“This year’s event is sure to be hotly contested by locals and visitors alike, with an increasing number of locals training on the route over recent weeks,” Ms Downes said.
Tourism Whitsundays General Manager, Tash Wheeler, said the Trail was not only an amazing endurance event, but also a great promotional activity for the region, with the beauty of Conway National Park and its amazing views over the Whitsundays showcased to visitors.
“The Whitsundays tourism sector sees visitation from over 750,000 people each year, with an expenditure of over $7 million. Events are an important part of this tapestry and play a key role in attracting new visitors to the destination.
“Run the Great Whitsunday Trail is an exciting event targeted to trail runners around the country and we hope that when participants come to the Whitsundays they will stay a little longer and make the most of their time here,” she said.
If you are a runner, register NOW for the event to avoid disappointment, as numbers are capped for all three events. If you’re not a runner, support the event as a volunteer, or simply head down to the Airlie Beach Lagoon to welcome competitors back to the finish line.
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