Read about - Great Wheelbarrow Race below.
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We were lucky enough to be staying in Marreeba for the commencement of the Great Wheelbarrow Race. This race is a fundraising event for charities and local clubs and travels along Wheelbarrow Way from Mareeba to Chillagoe – 140km. It is run over three days – Mareeba to Dimbulah (44km); Dimbulah to Almaden (63km) and from Almaden to Chillagoe (33km). I am sure all these small communities benefit during the race by having so many people stay overnight.
We watched the teams parade in costumes along the main street of Mareeba before changing into running gear to commence the race. The buses supporting these runners are also decorated and all team members are cheered on by the crowds lining the streets. Each team has a Kelso Wheelbarrow that has to be pushed the length of Wheelbarrow Way.
There are number of categories (eg mixed category, High School Category, Duo Category, solo category etc), and each team (up to 10 competitors) is supported by a bus travelling behind the runner(s). Team members take it in turns pushing the wheelbarrow and run for a short distance before changing competitors and hopping back on the bus. We could not believe how fast some of these competitors could run while pushing a wheelbarrow.
Everyone seemed to be having lots of fun and we noted that cars and trucks travelling along road were very patient and very supportive of this annual event.