By MARY HALL.
Kangaroo Hoppet race secretary
SOME 256 runners participated in the 44th annual Mount Beauty Running Festival on Saturday, 17 May, delighted that forecast rain showers did not eventuate, and perfect weather prevailed for all four events.
The epic 18km trail run was the most popular event, with runners travelling through the best parts of Mount Beauty along the Kiewa River before heading into the Alpine National Park.
The course is challenging with two shallow river crossings and scenic ups and downs on a combination of 4WD and single tracks.
The iconic 10.6km run and 21.1km half marathon were on a fast course following the sealed flat track around the Mount Beauty Pondage and alongside the pristine Kiewa River, past Pebble Beach.
The 3km fun run event course was a flat sealed track around Mount Beauty Pondage, with no road crossings, and entrants enjoying panoramic views of Mount Bogong.
This year’s event attracted a field of quality runners.
Full results are on the website of Alpine Timing, but the place getters were as follows:
18km Mens: 1st Harri Silvester 1:16:35.6; 2nd Dan Trevena 1:17:03.2; 3rd Damian Gillard 1:22:46.6.
18km Womens: 1st Tory Thomas 1:26:57.8; 2nd Rosie Franzke 1:34:43.1; 3rd Rosie Donegan 1:36:06.1.
21.1km Mens: 1st Jason Shields 1:22:57.8; 2nd Simon Nolan 1:26:48.7; 3rd Martin Raines 1:26:59.0.
21.1km Womens: 1st Eliza Heinecke 1:27:30.2; 2nd Jolie Cullen 1:28:58.8; 3rd Bernadette Benson 1:36:24.8.
10.6km Mens: 1st Alec Franzke 33:10.2; 2nd Eddy Franzke 36:15.8; 3rd Eric Wood 36:17.9.
10.6km Womens: 1st Bethany Franzke 47:47.3; 2nd Maddie Strong 52:13.8; 3rd Lillian Tait 53:42.1.
3km Mens: 1st Charlie Cinatl 13:58.2; 2nd Charlie Wellington 14:16.7; 3rd Tom Watson 15:34.4.
3km Womens: 1st Freya Rae 12:30.7; 2nd Harriet Donnelly 15:06.2; 3rd Eleanor Donnelly 15:58.4.
Special guest Piggy, representing major sponsor Mount Beauty & District Community Bank, was at the finish line to congratulate competitors and hand out participation medallions to everyone under 12 in the 3km race.
This event is purely community run and relies on a long list of volunteers who big-heartedly donate their time each year to make it happen.
Their involvement means the event can maintain its family friendly reputation and keep entry fees low due to the generosity of local business donations.
Special commendations go to the race committee for their time and effort leading up to and during the festival, ensuring a well-run event for everyone to enjoy.
Organisers thank Mount Beauty & District Community Bank and Alpine Shire for their support, and special thanks to Mount Beauty Rotary Club for volunteers, Alpine Radio for broadcasting at the event, Vegitation Wholesale Produce for donating the feed station fruit, Food Works Mount Beauty for providing lollies, Mount Beauty Playgroup for their bake sale and barbecue, and Mount Beauty Swimming Pool for the use of their facilities.
The committee would like to thank all participants from near and far and hope to see them all again next year.