If you’re one of those ‘fun run’ types, first of all, I don’t understand you. But second of all, Queensland does, seeing as you could literally spend your whole year travelling around the Sunshine State and competing in races of some kind or another. If you’re one of those people, you know exactly where to find a calendar of Queensland sports events, so lemme just take you through a couple that I, as a person who does fitness but defs not long distance events, am actually tempted by because they sound so dang cool.
The Great Wheelbarrow Race
AS IF I wasn’t going to kick off with an actual relay event that involves pushing wheelbarrows. I am actually living for this. Grab your most enthusiastic mates and your very best wheelbarrow. Together, your team will make its way from Mareeba to Chillagoe. Or go it alone if your friends are lame.
Brisbane Cycling Festival
I enjoy this one for calling itself a ‘festival’, not a race, thereby making it all friendly and encouraging. To be honest, Brisbane is legit an awesome place to bike ride around at the best of times. So if that’s your jam, may as well gear up and join in on of the many events from pro to beginner spanning over this two-ish week festival.
Scenic Rim Trail Running Series
The Scenic Rim, so called because of the rim of mountains surround the area, is a particularly stunning area of Queensland sitting a little inland from the Gold Coast. It’s loved for its arts, foodie scene, killer hikes, water sports, and mountain bike trails. And also by trail runners of all abilities who convene here a few times a year for the series. They have everything from kids races to the pros, so don’t feel like you must know what you’re doing to enjoy it.
Swim Noosa
As if the bright blue ocean rolling over the ridiculously white sand at Noosa wasn’t calling your name anyway. If you love a swim, time it for around May each year when you can go for glory at the same time. There’s few different ocean swim races so you can pick your distance. And then post race, well you’re in Noosa. The food and drink offerings match the idyllic scenery. Go nuts.
Adventurethon
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDG93vcMRkp/
If you’re going to work your little butt off, you may as well do it while enjoying some killer scenery, amiright? This three-stage race takes place on the beautiful Magnetic Island, just off the coast of Townsville. You’ll race the wallabies as you run and ride, then try and spot turtles (or, you know, concentrate on the race and look for marine life later) as you paddle.
