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General News

13 May, 2019

Ready to race

The start of the 16th annual Great Wheelbarrow Race will make its way out onto the streets of Mareeba this Friday.

By Rhys Thomas

Ready to race - feature photo

The start of the 16th annual Great Wheelbarrow Race will make its way out onto the streets of Mareeba this Friday. May 17, 18 and 19 will be celebrated this weekend with the running of the iconic Great Wheelbarrow Race. The 2019 Race will be reversing last year’s run with the original Mareeba to Chillagoe format returning, with Mareeba playing host to the start of the race this year, plus the popular downtown parade which will return to Byrnes Street from 9am.

After the parade, competitors will depart from Vaughan Street from 9:30am, while the solos, duos and trios will leave from 6am. Mareeba will be the starting line for the race with Dimbulah being the target for day one, competitors will then move from Dimbulah to Almaden on the Saturday where they will begin the last leg of the race the following morning finishing at Chillagoe at around lunch time Sunday.

Mareeba, Dimbulah and Almaden will be hosting the teams after each respective day with a host of entertainment, including a video of each day’s highlights. The talent quest is set to return to Dimbulah and re-join the Dimby Dinner Do, giving competitors a chance to unwind and relax, while Alamden will come alive with a night fun at the pub. Presentations for the Great Wheelbarrow race will begin at around 12 noon at the Chillagoe Town Hall before participants prepare for the quicker journey home.

The participants of the Great Wheelbarrow Race will be following the ‘Wheelbarrow’ way,. The road between Mareeba and Chillagoe was named in 2004 to honour the amazing trail-blazing feats of early 1800’s pioneers. Come out and support the 48 teams in this year’s race at the downtown parade. Led by the‘Face of the Race’ Sandy Butler the parade will commence at Beaurepairs and travel through the main street.

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