The Riordan King and Queen of Mount Wycheproof hold on to their titles for the second year in a row since the event’s resurrection from the eighties, and competition was hotter than ever this year.

On Saturday (grand final day) the world’s smallest mountain roared to life with anticipation and support of the unusual, yet gruelling race, where runners carry bags of Mallee’s finest wheat 1km to the summit of Mount Wycheproof, as quickly as they can, competing for a whopping $5,000 prize. 

Though the prizes may make the competition fierce, the race itself is gaining popularity in a similar way that a marathon might – a physical test of endurance, a goal to achieve; not for the prize money but simply to cross that finish line, and on Saturday, many achieved their aim. 

The ten race program began with the Mountain Dash categories, followed by the Wheelbarrow Relay, with the final races, the Riordan King and Queen of the Mountain, completing the race card in time for the picnic in the park, and the AFL Grand Final on the big screen. 

Masters Mountain Dash
The Masters Mountain Dash categories are where the competitors carry no weight, simply getting as fast as they can to the finish line. The categories include girls’ under-18, boys’ under-18, women, men and their respective plus-40 categories. 

The winner of the girls’ race was Delilah Dartnell (4 minutes, 16 seconds), with Abby Griffiths (4.37) coming in second place and Jaylah Campbell (4.40) in third. The boys’ race was won by William O’Shannessy (3 minutes, 28 seconds), with Tyler Medlyn (3.33) coming in second and Les Cooper (3.48) in third place. 

The open women’s dash was once again dominated by the supreme fitness of Boort’s Carly Isaac in a time of 3 minutes, 55 seconds, with Sarah Botheras (4.31) in second place and Tessa Coles (4.52) in third. Only two women competed in the plus-40 category, with Joanne Scott taking first place with a time of 5.38 and Linda Coote (6.44) in second place. 

The men’s dash began with loud sideline cheers of “Go Dad!” directed at Birchip’s Josh Richmond as the group took off from the starting line. Josh needed no more encouragement taking out first place in the plus-40 years of age category in a time of 4 minutes, 16 seconds, with Damien Hughes (4.33) taking second place and Lance Chipperfield (4.43) in third. Younger legs made for faster speeds in the open dash category; Tom Myers took first place (3 minutes, 39 seconds), with Hugo Funcke (3.48) in second place and Tom Draffen (3.56) in third. 

Wheelbarrow Relay
Following the speed races came the wheelbarrow relay, where teams of four took turns pushing a barrow of wheat to the finish line, with men and women carrying 60kg and 20kg bags, respectively. 

The relays were both won by St. Arnaud's Torney’s Gym teams “Torney’s Fighting Fit Men’s (3.43) and Women’s (4.13). In second place in the men's was “Charlton Ultimates” with “Nully 25” coming in third. 

The women’s relay won by “Torney’s Fighting Fit Women” was the only race to push the previous year’s winner out of first place, with Boort Netball team’s the “Stink Pies” claiming second and the “Wyche-Nully Gals” claimed third. 

King and Queen of the Mountain
Although Mt. Wycheproof’s summit is only a mere 41 metres above sea level, the incline of its slope is taxing on any pedestrian’s legs, let alone runners attempting to traverse the distance loaded under bags of premium wheat. 

A common opinion among the competitors was the steepest part of the journey, the short stretch to the finish line following the final bend, was the most difficult, requiring one to call on every last reserve of strength to get them over the line. 

Carrying 60kg in the Elite category and clearly showing the strain of his journey, reigning King of the Mountain for the second consecutive year was Stawell’s Tom Rodgers in a time of 5 minutes, 56 seconds. Tom poured his heart and soul into the physical exertion required to complete such a task in such short a time. His win was well deserved and evidence of his elite fitness maintained through a sport called Hyrox, which combines running and gym workouts, where he will run 1 km followed by functional workout stations, repeated eight times (that ought to do it). 

And after already competing successfully in three prior races, reigning Queen of the Mountain, Boort’s Carly Isaac has taken the title again in a time of 5 minutes, 24 seconds. Carly plays for Boort Netball Club and with a crowd of her team mates roaring their support from that final bend, she oddly found the strength to smile as she headed up the “hardest” part of the course towards the finish line.  

Her post-race interview contradicted other racers’ opinions of the course with Carly stating that the beginning of the race was the most difficult for her. 

“Running alone was the hardest,” she said. “But when I got to the bottom of the mountain and heard everyone cheering, I got the boost that I needed; it was the crowd that carried me up to the top.”

Bear in mind, this was Carly’s third run up the incline (and likely back down again after each race) and her recovery time? Simply phenomenal, and no wonder with a 30 km run as part of her regular routine and a practice weight of 30kg in training for the event. 

In a repeat of last year’s results, second place King of the Mountain winner was again Berriwillock’s Matt Hall, who plays for Wycheproof-Narraport (soon to be Calder United), with Dave Card in third place. Place-getters for Queen of the Mountain showed fitness in the family, with King Tom’s partner, Bree Garreffa claiming second place and Mary-Anne Pollard in third. 

Following the races, Centenary Park was then opened to the public for the family picnic, including live music, food and beverage vans and entertainment for the kids. The community gathered to celebrate the end of the football season and watch the grand final on the big screen. What a wonderful way to round out a big day! Well done Wycheproof and to the organisers of yet another successful King of the Mountain event. 

Carly as well as Tom, will no doubt be back against stiffer competition next year to defend their crowns, but this year are both deservedly the reigning royals of Wycheproof and the epitome of the elite level of athletes that can be found right here in rural Victoria. Very well done!