Business
23 May, 2025
Woolies saves great race
WOOLWORTHS has agreed to be the main sponsor of The Great Pyramid Race this year.
The supermarket chain came on board again with a $15,000 deal after Cairns Local News (CLN) last week highlighted that the iconic event was in trouble from next year unless a major sponsor could be found.
Woolworths had earlier told CLN that this year it was no longer able to support the race after three years.
However, in a change of heart, the business giant will become naming rights sponsor for 2025 and allow race organisers more time to secure a new deal for next year and beyond.
Gordonvale store manager Michael Clark said “we’re thrilled to be able to continue our support of The Great Pyramid Race in 2025, just as we do with so many other community initiatives across Queensland, such as OzHarvest and Gordonvale State School’s weekly breakfast program”.
“It's a fantastic community event, attracting Cairns locals and visitors from far and wide for a bit of healthy competition while promoting health and fitness,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to cheering on all the amazing participants as they conquer that mighty Pyramid.”
It is understood that Woolworths may consider further sponsorship next year.
Race organiser and president Renee Edwards said it was “a huge sigh of relief”.
“We’re pretty rapt about it,” she said.
Ms Edwards said, while it was a one-off, it gave organisers time to breathe and seek other deals,
“We’re pretty rapt about it. We’re relieved, a massive sigh of relief,” she said.
It was planned that this year’s race would still go ahead without a naming rights sponsor as there was a healthy surplus in the bank but next year was looking doubtful. Ms Edwards said fortunately the story in last week’s CLN had generated interest.
She said she had been approached by three organisations keen for naming rights for three years or more.
Ms Edwards said the future was looking bright and other minor sponsors had also come forward.
“We appreciate Woolworths coming back for this year and now we have three other potential sponsors interested,” she said.
Ms Edwards said they still needed a $10,000 sponsor of the half race.
Last week she revealed that it cost $70,000 to put on the race and, while entry fees, had gone up a little bit, it only covered 30 per cent.
The race from Norman Park at Gordonvale to the top of the Pyramid and back is on Saturday, August 2.
If you can help with sponsorships email Ms Edwards on admin@pyramidrace.com.au
Editor’s note:
GRASSROOTS journalism works.
After Cairns Local News last week highlighted that the lack of a major sponsorship was putting The Great Pyramid Race future in doubt, Woolworths agreed to a one-off naming rights deal for 2025.
Not only that, but three other organisations have contacted organiser Renee Edwards about multi-year sponsorships from 2026 and beyond.
Who says local newspapers are dying?
– Nick Dalton.
