Clubs go the distance
JUNIOR athletes have travelled from across Queensland and interstate to compete in the Coral Coast Track and Field Carnival at Barlow Park in Cairns at the weekend.
The two-day fixture featured more than 500 events with over 260 athletes participating.
The annual carnival is one of the biggest athletics events held in North Queensland, with clubs from Townsville, the Tablelands, Western Queensland, Central Coastal Queensland and the Northern Territory competing in the Far North.
Cairns Athletics committee member Luke Jackson said more than a dozen clubs took part.
“It’s a massive event and we had a really great turn out this year,” Jackson said.
“We had clubs from places like Alice Springs and Darwin travel over for it. We have never had them come all this way before to compete.
“It was beyond (what we’ve come to expect for) a regional carnival in Cairns.
“I was running around like a chook with its head cut off most of the time but it was so good.”
Athletes from as young as four years through to 13 competed in their own age groups while competitors 14 and older could also participate in open events.
“There were a range of different athletes from all ages competing in a number of events,” Jackson said.
A ‘Dash for Cash’ 300metre sprint pitted the fastest teenagers and Masters runners against each other, with $300 awarded to the winner.
“The race is a handicap, which elite athletes competed in. That was quite exciting,” Jackson said. “Kayla Montagner from Cairns Athletics won the women’s and Martin Zephaniah took out the men’s.
“Kayla is a tall and thin sprinter. She has a great technique and is very tall. It’s remarkable to see someone that shape with so much power.” QUICK DASH: Kiera Jackson, Caelyn Pike and Molly Trueman compete in the under 12’s 100m as athletes from across Queensland took part in the Coral Coast Carnival in Cairns, one of the biggest carnivals held in North Queensland every year.