Riordan Grain Services has been announced as naming sponsor of the relaunched 2023 King of the Mountain footrace, being held for the first time in 35 years at Wycheproof in Victoria on Saturday 30 September 2023.
The Wycheproof Narraport Football Netball Club are organising the event, hoping to see several hundred locals and visitors join the festivities.
Club president Ricky Allan said the community is getting excited for the race.
“We’re happy to have it back in town in a family-friendly format.
“We are finalising all the details for the day, making sure everything is organised and ready to go.
“We’ve had great support from individuals and businesses around town and across the region. Plenty of people have volunteered time, resources, materials to help us get the race up and running again.
“We have some of the original organisers and participants involved, including the King race record holder James Russell looking after race timing. He won it in 1986 with a time of five minutes two seconds.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone; it’s a great chance to showcase the town, catch up with the locals and bring visitors in for what is an iconic experience.”
Ten races are scheduled, with each literally an uphill challenge along a 1km course to the summit of Mount Wycheproof – officially the world’s smallest mountain.
The task is made more difficult as competitors in the King and Queen categories also lug a wheat bag on their shoulders weighing 60kg or 20kg respectively.
With a total prize pool of $20,000 on offer, the Riordan King of the Mountain race schedule starts at 9.45am with the Mountain Dash categories, followed by the Wheelbarrow Relays. The Riordan King and Queen of the Mountain races round out the competitive part of the day.
Following the races, a community picnic lunch will be held at Centenary Park Wycheproof, with kids activities, food and drink, live music and the AFL Grand Final on the big screen.
Jim Riordan, managing director of sponsor Riordan Grain Services and Riordan Fuels, said the opportunity to sponsor the event was a “no-brainer”.
“When we were approached to see if we wanted to be involved, we jumped at the chance.
“Getting behind grass-roots initiatives like these is so important; it’s a way we can give back to the businesses and communities that support us.
“It’s fantastic to see such a fun, unique event back after so long. It is a great chance to bring locals and visitors together and it will provide a real boost to the region.
“There’s nothing quite like it, we can’t wait.”
Race registrations are still open. Entries for the King, Queen and Relay races close 27 September, with Dash entries open up until race day.
Full details, including the race schedule, entry details, location maps and contact information, can be found on the King of the Mountain Facebook page or via the Wycheproof Narraport Football Netball Club website: https://wnfc.tidyhq.com/public/pages/king-of-the-mount