A record number of competitors lined up to compete in the 2009 Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge on an 8km track through the Gorge. There were 97 competitors from all over North Queensland, battling it out for the prize pool of $2100.
Max Fegan of Townsville won the title for a second time with a time of 39 minutes and 15 seconds, narrowly beating last year’s winner Tim Northy of Ravenshoe by 18 seconds. Third place went to Tom Gilbert also taking out the first Male Flinders Shire Resident, followed by Sam Goodwin of Charters Towers.
The first lady to cross the finish line was Tracey Ferris of Mount Isa with a time of 47 minutes 31 seconds, followed by last years winner Elsie Northy of Ravenshoe in second place, Sonja Schonfeldt-Roy of Townsville in the third place and followed by Sasha King of Richmond in fourth place. The first Female Flinders Shire Resident to cross the finish line was Kaori Waerea.
Junior competitors had a modified course with the Under 16’s running 4.6 km, winners for this section were Ryan Rankine of Prairie and Sydney Walker of Hughenden. The Under 12’s ran a 1.4km course with winners being local residents Tayla Hiller and Samuel Piatscheck.
This year’s challenge was blessed with perfect weather conditions and an ever changing and challenging course. The 2009 Porcupine Gorge National Park Challenge was sponsored by Queensland Events, Flinders Shire Council, Wieben Earthmoving, MacDonnells Law, Basalt Electrical, G & C Jones Electrical, FT Foodmart and ANT Helicopters who were again on hand for the challenge and helped to drop supplies and people to check points and providing scenic flights that were enjoyed by many of the campers and competitors throughout the day.
Competition organizers were very pleased with the results and the increase in competitor numbers and are planning to add to next years challenge with a ‘Dash for Cash’ at Mount Walker on the Sunday morning. Mount Walker just south of Hughenden will provide a 4.5km run starting at the base of the Mountain and finishing at the top and will feature a grueling mountain climb section of over 16% gradient.