JUST 45 minutes before the gruelling 2010 King of the Mountain fun run, Ben Able was undecided about running and hopped in his car with his Dad to run an eye over the course.
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Pulling up at the first drinks station he rolled down the car window and asked the attendant: “is this half-way up?”.
The negative reply he received produced a roll of the eyes as Ben thought about the steep terrain ahead - thankfully for him, it wasn’t enough to put him off.
By 10.30am that morning, Ben became the proud owner of a new King of the Mountain race record running the 5.5km course in 23.13mins, around 40 seconds better than last year’s winner Andrew Bagnall.
Laurieton’s own Kylie Lucas shook off the effects of a morning triathlon, to finish the race in 28.48 mins and gain the honour of the being the first woman over the line.
One of the most positive aspects of the event was the performance of several junior runners who drew large applause every time one of them crossed the finish line.
Madi Roberts and Sam Hitchcock won the junior (Under 16) girls and boys divisions with scintillating times.
The annual LJH Hooker King of the Mountain fun run (put on by the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce) was back in a big way and race organiser, Nathan Pensini, says it offers a great springboard for the future.
“We had 84 starters today and I thank all the entrants for getting out and supporting what could be a signature event for this region,” Pensini said.
“I have spoken to our major sponsor, Martin Newell from LJ Hooker Laurieton, and he has indicated the company would like to be a major player in helping to grow the event next year which will allow us more prizes and more ways to make it an enjoyable event for the runners and spectators.”
Pensini also paid tribute to the community support cast that helped put on the event.
“This race would not have been possible without the co-operation and support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, SES, Laurieton Police, Bonny Hills and Laurieton fire brigades, LJ Hooker Laurieton, Rodney Huf, Busways Laurieton, Port Macquarie Hastings Council and all the helpers who cooked barbecues, held the clipboards and handed out the water cups,” he said.
“And I’d also like to thank the Chamber led by Peter Winfield and Austin Grice for their efforts and support before and on the day of the event.
“On top of all this, we were also able to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis.”
Winfield has urged the community to get behind the event in the future.
“We are very grateful to those that kept this great event going in the past and if it is to grow we need to get more support from the broader community moving forward to put the run up there with some of the most attractive athletic events in the country,” Winfield said.
“We have spoken to Port Macquarie Hastings Council about the potential of this event as a fundraiser for worthwhile charities and as a tourism drawcard and we believe with the right marketing, prize pool, and support network behind it, it could be huge.
“On behalf of the Chamber and community, I applaud Nathan, I thank Martin and LJ Hooker, and I congratulate the runners and their families who turned up and supported each other and showed great sportsmanship clapping and congratulating each other as the day wore on.”
WINNERS IN EACH
CATEGORY:
OPEN MEN: Ben Able (PMQ) 23.13; Felipe Blemith (PMQ) 25.00; Jeff Worth (PMQ) 25.16.
OPEN WOMEN: Kylie Lucas (Laurieton) 28.48; Melinda Rogan (PMQ) 34.44; Judy Telfer (Laurieton) 35.48.
FEMALE UNDER 16: Madi Roberts (PMQ) 30.50; Monica Worth (PMQ) 40.15; Brooke Storer (B/Hills) 50.27
MALE UNDER 16: Sam Hitchcock (Newc) 26.32; Ryan Smith (B/Hills) 30.55; Lachlan Moffat (Laurieton) 32.53.
OVERALL RESULTS
WITH TIMES
Ben Able 23.13
Phillipe Blemith 25.00
Jeff Worth 25.16
Paul Woodhouse 25.40
Sam Hitchcock 26.32
Gilbert Olzomer 26.53
Andrew Bagnell 27.20
Matthew Ternes 28.31
Kylie Lucas 28.48
Heath Milne 29.31
Scott Williams 29.57
Madi Roberts 30.50
Ryan Smith 30.55
Phillip Gammon 31.47
Rod Packer 32.08
Daniel Voltz 32.45
Lachlan Moffat 32.53
Karl Schmutter 32.56
Nathan Storer 33.36
Craig Riemann 33.42
Joel Smith 33.43
Murray Thompson 33.54
Melinda Rogan 34.44
David Van Beelen 35.14
Judy Telfer 35.48
Kevin Stringer 36.04
Graham Symonds 36.57
Lewis Barton 36.57
Nicholas Payne 37.54
Daniel Pye 38.00
Diana Walsh 38.12
Preston Wilson 38.34
Caleb Hunter 38.59
Kara Dodds 39.06
Hudson Worth 39.39
Darren Gill 39.52
Monica Worth 40.15
Michelle Millot 40.46
Di Scott 41.08
Cassie Pensini 41.57
Jeff Thompson 42.10
Coryl Res 42.17
Leigh Carrol 42.25
Narelle Novak 44.20
Thomas Gammon 44.52
Ruben Gammon 45.00
Kathleen Bailey 45.24
Jenny Daniel 47.14
Jeremy Gen 47.40
Karen Van Beelen 47.50
Emmy Graham 48.25
Mandy Worth 48.25
Kye Gill 49.41
Brooke Storer 50.27
Natalie Brown 50.40
Casey-Lea Parker 50.40
Connah Wilson 51.33
Samantha Kirkwood 51.33
Abby Wilson 51.33
Sue Gill 51.38
Raquel Seale 52.42
Piper Seale 52.42
Milla Seale 52.42
Trent Seale 52.42
Peter Bryan 53.49
Liz Innes 56.03
Joan Branch 56.03
Bery Bosen 56.25
Kylie Wilson 57.06
Katrina Hudson 57.29
Elliot Goss 57.47
Cathy Hardgrove 58.10
Sarah Graham 58.27
Amy Green 60.19
Paul Roelanty 60.19
Leanne Gemain 61.42
Suzzanne Goss 61.42
