A big field is expected to help raise funds for Cooktown athletes when the Big Run for Little Athletics is held on day two of the Cooktown Discovery Festival this month. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
There are challenges in running, and then there is the Goliath of Grassy.
The trek to the top of Cooktown’s Grassy Hill can seem daunting in a car, but eager competitors will tackle the 4-kilometre course for a good cause during this year’s Discovery Festival on 21 June.
The Goliath of Grassy is one of three event distances on offer for the Big Run for Little Athletics this month, which is the major annual fundraiser for the town’s Little Athletics club, the Geckos.
Runners attempting to conquer Grassy Hill will do so in four categories – Juniors (8-13), Youth (14-17), Open (10-59) and Masters (59+) – with a 2km fun run and 1km dash for primary school aged participants also on the schedule.
Cooktown Little Athletics’ Liesl Pensio said the club was excited about the prizes on offer for this year’s event, and added the finish line for all distances would now be right in the middle of the Discovery Festival action.
“We have lots of amazing sponsors that are supporting our event, which means we are able to offer some incredible prizes,” she said.
“Registrations have been slow so far, but it’s quite common for athletes to leave it to the last minute; we are giving a free shirt to the first 50 registrations for the Goliath of Grassy Hill.
“The start and finish have been moved to align with the Discovery Festival stage; for the first time, the presentations will occur on the main stage.”
Ms Pensio said she expected to see a significant age range at the start line as competitors set off to tackle Grassy Hill.
“Our vision for the event is to see our community being active and healthy,” she said.
“Grassy Hill is an iconic location in Cooktown, and the race up the hill is a challenge for anyone, young and adult.
“We want to see the young ones run up, but the true heroes of our event are the Masters; we have so many older people in Cooktown who walk up the hill, and it’s a celebration of all ages and abilities.”
To register for the Big Run for Little Athletics, visit the Cooktown Little Athletics Facebook page and scan the QR code on the event poster.
