Tackling tough course for cause
A FAR North endurance challenge has brought in $18,500 to help fulfil young athletes’ sporting dreams.
The annual Grin ‘n’ Bear It Challenge held at Lake Tinaroo last week involved a 2km swim, 8km paddle, 64km mountain bike ride and a 12km trail run, completed by solo competitors or teams of two, three or four.
Cairns athlete Steve Francis managed to snag his first win after three years competing in the event.
“It was unreal – it’s the same course every year, but it’s a tough one,” he said.
“I’d done a lot more mountain biking this year, which is what put me over.
“The swim was a bit of a challenge – I haven’t been swimming much lately, so 500m in I was hyperventilating and had to backstroke for a bit.”
Despite the struggle, Francis won in a time of five hours, 47 minutes, almost an hour ahead of the next solo finisher.
For coming first, he won two tickets to compete in the Red Bull Defiance challenge at the Cassowary Coast on the weekend.
“That was next level – between nearly six hours for Grin ‘n’ Bear It and nearly 14 hours for Red Bull Defiance, I’ve been feeling the wounds lately,” he said.
Founding committee member and race co-ordinator Ivan Whittle said they were delighted with the turnout and the money raised for the Bear Foreman Foundation.
“The foundation provides support to local junior athletes in the pursuit of their sporting dreams,” he said.
“To date we have assisted over 20 families and currently provide ongoing support to nine local athletes, across a range of sports including sailing, boxing, athletics, waterski racing and paddling.
“This event is our major fundraiser and the beauty of this race is, while it’s testing on bodies and equipment, you know you’re doing it for a great cause.”