The 110km ‘Iron Duke Challenge’ has got the Mt Arthur Challenge underway in Wellington. 

This event has borrowed the nickname of Arthur Wellesley, the ‘Iron Duke’ of Wellington.

Departing at 8am, this event entails heading out through the Mt Arthur Reserve along Bushrangers Creek Rd, looping back through Arthurville/Suntop Rd, turning right at Fingerpost onto Renshaw McGirr Way, riding out to Yeoval, and coming back to the Showground via Bournewood Road/Renshaw McGirr Way.

35 competitors are registered.

The 50km ‘Limestone Ride’

This event will commence at 9:30am and initially follow the same course as the 110km ride but instead of continuing out to Yeoval the riders turn left at Fingerpost and follow Renshaw McGirr back to the Showground

It is hoped that the inclusion of the bike rides will help promote the great cycling opportunities that Wellington and the surrounding landscape offers and be a starting point for promoting Wellington as a cycling destination. The ride sections through Mount Arthur and the Catombals are picturesque and there are great views back towards the Catombal Range and Mount Arthur from other sections of the courses.

38 competitors registered.

The 9km ‘Wedgetail Challenge’:

Starts at 10am from the Wellington Showground

It is a figure of 8 track, along Brennan’s Way, left onto Yarraman trail, right onto Bundari track, continuing on then another right turn onto Man of the Mountain track, right onto Brennan’s Way, then turning right and returning onto Yarraman trail following it back onto Bushranger’s Creek road and back to the Showground.

The course climbs a total of 197 metres in elevation. The runners will climb in the order of 150m in elevation over approximately 1km in one section of the course – a very steep climb.

143 competitors registered.

The 5km ‘Wallaby Run’

Starts at 10:15am and initially follows the same path as the Wedgetail Challenge, but instead of turning right and ascending up the Bundari/Man of the Mountain/Brennan’s Way loop, this route continues along the Yarraman Trail and onto Bushranger’s Creek and the Showground. As well as being shorter, the Wallaby Run does not have the steep ascent of the Wedgetail Challenge.

This course has been set for runners preferring a shorter distance and gentler terrain. It also aims to encourage first time competitors and families to get involved.

64 competitors registered.

Other facts:

The youngest male competitor in the 5km ‘Wallaby Run’ (and the youngest competitor overall) is Cameron Ross from Orange – who is only 5 years old! Cameron will be participating with his parents.

The youngest female competitor in the 5km ‘Wallaby Run’ is Becky Mazzer who is only 8 years old. Becky is from Dubbo and will be tackling the ‘Wallaby Run’ with her parents and older sister Olivia.

The youngest competitor in the 9km ‘Wedgetail Challenge’ is Ryan Miller from Wellington who is 12 years old and will be participating with his parents.

10 year old Lachlan Clark from Dubbo is the youngest competitor in the 50km ‘Limestone Ride’.

The oldest competitor in the Mt Arthur Challenge is a member of the Orange Runners Club who is 72. He will be competing in the 9km ‘Wedgetail Challenge’.