While many in the Illawarra were enjoying a Sunday morning sleep-in, more than 1250 enthusiastic early risers were up and ready to take part in the Greenacres Mountain to Mountain Challenge.
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Starting at the base of Mt Keira and finishing at the top of Mt Kembla, the cool, overcast morning was perfect for the 13.6 kilometre event.
First across the finish line was 27-year-old Nareena Hills Public School teacher James Tunbridge with a time of 51.57 minutes. He said running was “more of a hobby” than something he took too seriously, adding the M2M Challenge was good preparation for the upcoming City to Surf.
“It’s good to get to local events, this run has lovely scenery and it’s for a good cause,” Mr Tunbridge said. Second across the finishing line was Wollongong’s Josh Bignell with a time of 56.16 minutes.
The first female across the line was 42-year-old Sally Towse from Balgownie, who came in with a time of 1.01.17 minutes just 10 months after having a baby. The second female to finish was Meg Reeves from Orange with a time of 1.02.09 minutes.
The event, now in its second year fell on the 114th anniversary of the Mt Kembla mine disaster and as a special tribute, 96 runners including Mt Kembla Mining Heritage treasurer Stephen Walker wore T-shirts with the names of the 96 disaster victims. See www.illawarramercury.com.au for race results.
FLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE to see all the action from the Mountain to Mountain challenge and click here for the race results.