Sport
9 May, 2022
Nudgee back to defend race glory
TRAVELLING all the way from Brisbane to compete in the Great Wheelbarrow Race, Nudgee College is ready to reclaim the number one spot his year and make their name known in region once again.
TRAVELLING all the way from Brisbane to compete in the Great Wheelbarrow Race, Nudgee College is ready to reclaim the number one spot this year and make their name known in region once again. In their last race in 2019, the team took out the gold, dominating the 140km race in only 6 hours, 51 minutes and 12 seconds – four hours quicker than the second-place team SES Psycho Ducks.
Known for their competitive nature and winning almost every year in the school’s category, the Nudgee boys are ready to do it all again with the help of their mentor, Duggan House Dean, Karim Sedour. “We became involved in 2016 as a way to build and continue relationships with the many North Queensland families who trust us with the care and education of their boys,” Mr Sedour said.
“The original idea and push came from John and Helen Donovan. They believed with great passion that the nature of the event would suit the Nudgee boys' love of a hard challenge. “Their older boys Tom and Jack were integral to our efforts in previous years. This year their son Ned, who is in Year 11, will get his chance to shine.”
Although the boys aren’t able to train with a wheelbarrow due to class schedules, their time training in rugby league has helped them master speed, agility and the art of teamwork.
However, Nudgee’s highly competitive and determined nature as a team has helped them in past races as they tackle the unique race regardless. “The Nudgee team does not train in the lead up to the competition as we cannot miss class time and most boys are heavily involved in other activities such as football or pre-season rugby training,” Mr Sedour said. “The reality is that most boys are already pretty fit from their other sports and once they master the wheelbarrow changeovers at speed they tend to do pretty well.”
Nudgee student and competitor Luke Power says he is ready to go, training up every day to make sure he is in perfect shape for the day. “For training, I am currently doing 5km of running every day as well going to the gym five times a week,” he said. “The race I am about to race is my first ever, but St Joseph's Nudgee College has been competing in the Great Wheelbarrow Race for many years and we are looking forward to getting back into it.
“My message to my team and other competitors is to Slip, Slop, Slap, and have fun!”
Day one of the 140km race will take off from 20 May in Mareeba with a street parade through Byrnes Street where spectators can cheer on their favourite teams.
