The Callaghans had a very busy but enjoyable Discovery Festival weekend.
THE Cooktown Discovery Festival was a family affair for the Callaghans, with the local couple and their children enjoying everything on offer across the weekend.
Kayla Callaghan, who grew up in Bloomfield, said the festival was all about having fun with her family.
“I did the Goliath of Grassy Hill run this morning and we all ran in the 2km family run,” she said.
Not only did Ms Callaghan tackle the 4km Grassy Hill run in the wee hours of Saturday, she also raced home for a quick costume change for her, partner Geoff and their four kids, and came back to win best-dressed in the family run.
“From there we’re going straight down to help decorate the floats – Holly is on the school float and the rest of us are on the Swim Club float.”
After the street parade it was home for a quick rest, then back to the RSL Memorial Club for Jackson to defend his title in the spaghetti eating competition and down to the park for the Sunset Soiree and fireworks.
“It’s all for the kids, it’s so much fun and they love it,” Ms Callaghan said.
“Taking part in everything gets them more involved, and it’s also good for the town – I just love it!”
It wasn’t just locals getting amongst the action as a family, with the Madins bringing a group of eight from the Atherton tablelands and returning triumphant with the coveted open men’s Goliath of Grassy Hill trophy.
“I heard about the festival through my running club Red Earth Running, who saw Cooktown Athletics post about the big Grassy Hill run,” oldest son Liam Madin said.
“The whole family came up to watch me run and enjoy the great weekend.
“I went in the Goliath of Grassy Hill with my brother, two of us went in the spaghetti eating and I went in the Unfenced Asylum Challenge with my mum and brother.”
Mr Madin smashed the gruelling 4km race in a blistering time of 16 minutes and 14 seconds and said although while running up Grassy Hill he swore he’d never do it again, he would be back every year to defend his title.
“I enjoyed everything about the festival, but I love the locals the most,” he said.
“I loved how the whole town was committed to making it to the best weekend, and the fishing spots are way better up there than here!”
