One of the Far North’s popular events returned on the weekend as the Great Wheelbarrow Race was run and won.
Now in its 19th year, the three-day race was proposed to inject cash and visitors into small towns like Almaden, Dimbulah, Chillagoe and Mutchilba.
It was also established to honour the trail-blazing feats of early pioneers who would take wheelbarrows from Mareeba to Chillagoe with supplies.
This year’s race attracted 25 teams who walked and/or run the 140km from Mareeba to Chillagoe, stopping overnight at Dimbulah and Almaden along the way.
Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Mareeba Shire councillor Locky Bensted has been a major driver of the event, which was last held in 2018.
Mr Bensted is well known in the Cape and has been the man on the microphone at several Weipa Bullrides.
A mixed team called Rusty Wheels was the overall winner.
The people’s choice winner was the over-55 team Dad’s Army, who were greeted with a big cheer on Sunday afternoon.
This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 24 May 2022.
