Sport
17 September, 2021
Ultra-challenging trail race
THERE’S something about Far North Queensland that attracts extremes. Extremes in temperature, extreme bike rides, in addition to extremes is road races.
The Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra Trail race is a great example of the FNQ love of extremes. Approximately 70 very passionate and dedicated runners will tackle the 60-kilometre course commencing in Kuranda which will follow the Black Mountain Road and Bump Track before finishing in Port Douglas.
First run in 2011 the Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra Trail race has attracted some of the best ultra-marathon runners in the region.
The race is traditionally run in August however due to a scheduling clash and COVID the event has been transferred to Sunday October 3. The change in date has also necessitated an earlier starting time with runners away at 5.30am.
The picturesque run traditionally takes about 5.5 hour for the top competitors with the balance of the pack up to 10 hours to complete the course.
A beach front finish is standard in front of the Surf Life Savers base on Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.
Race organiser, Lorraine Lawson from Dynamic Running in Cairns described the race as challenging.
“The fastest time for the race is 5 hours and 14 minutes, we can expect to see the first runners arrive at Four Mile Beach around 11am.
“We have two events within the same race, the 60-kilometre solo as well as a team 60 kilometre-relay covering the same course.
“Surprisingly the solo runners usually beat home the first of our teams, it really is a competitive race,” she said.
Entries are still open, runners wanting to know more can visit www.dynamicrunning.com.au
