Treble of runs not for weak

FANCY a run – how about a marathon or three?

One hundred and forty four ultra endurance runners will be jogging, scrambling and shuffling their way through trails and along roads from Kuranda to Koah today in the first of the “Three Marathons In Three Days” race series.

The race event is in its seventh year and features the addition of a short course event – the 16km Lake Morris road race.

“We had an extra 26 competitors this year, and peoplewere asking for short distances so they could race,” said organiser and trail runner Lorraine Lawson.

Runners can opt to run the Cairns Marathon, the Lake Morris race, the Kauri Half Marathon, or step up to compete in three full marathons.

The three-day course in- cludes trail and road segments.

“I think trail running is a lot of fun – it is different from road racing, people run together and help each other,” Ms Lawson said.

“The camaraderie is a big attraction.”

Maybe it is safety in numbers – after all who wants to tread on a nervous snake or bump into a grumpy cassowary?

“A couple of years back a runner who was much better than us latched onto our group the whole way,” Ms Lawson said.

For veterans with five series – or 630km – under their belts, a permanent competition bib number awaits.

“We have an Indonesian runner in her third year who is on her way,” Ms Lawson said.

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