PEOPLE from far and wide laced up their running shoes last weekend to compete in the 2022 Peaks and Trails running event, held in the picturesque southern end of the Grampians.

This year marked the first time the run was able to return after the COVID-19 pandemic, with volunteers from the Dunkeld and wider community coming together to organise, coordinate and run the weekend-long event.

The fun kicked off last Saturday with the warm-up Mud-Dadjug (previously the Mt. Abrupt) Challenge, which saw participants climb 430 metres and back down again.

The winning male was Bill Meeker who completed the climb up and back in 42.01 minutes, and the winning female, Charlotte Byrnes, completed the task in just over one hour and six minutes.

Over 225 participants entered events throughout the weekend, with 38 completing the 50-kilometre course on Sunday, 82 completing the 20km course, 47 completing the 13.5km course, and 26 completing the 6.4km course. 

The race started and ended in town next to the Royal Mail Hotel and consisted of new tracks – meaning new time records were started – that explored the Grampians scenery and utilised the newly opened Grampians Peaks Walk tracks.

The winners of this year’s 50km event were Jasmine Volner, with a time of 5.47.16 in the female section, and Matthew Creahan, with a time of 4.43.18 in the male section. 

The organising committee also wanted to give a special shout out to Grace Potter, Pippa Williamson, and 10-year-old Max Russell who participated in the 6.4 km run and came first, second, and ninth places respectively.

Peaks and Trails organising committee member, Lea McArthur, said it was great to see the popular event return and she was pleased with the support shown by the community.

“The day ran smoothly and the overall response from participants was very positive,” she said.

“So much planning and organisation goes into it in the months leading up, it’s just really nice to hear great feedback.”

Ms McArthur said the event would not have been able to run without the army of volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure it was a resounding success.

“Most other events, similar to this, are not volunteer run, so it gives us a really good point of difference,” she said.

“The participants love the homemade style catering, the cowbells and encouragement along the way, and just the general community feel of the event.

“We had volunteers hiking out to be in position at checkpoints and aid stations before the first race started at 7am, and often they don’t get back until after 5pm.

“I really want to stress how much our volunteers are appreciated, and how great it is that they come on board to make it all happen.”

The committee have once again received very positive feedback from competitors who appreciated the homemade snacks provided, the kind words of encouragement along the way, and the various aid stations and checkpoints.

The 2023 Peaks and Trails event will be held on August 12-13, with anyone interested in immersing themselves in the beautiful countryside encouraged to enter or volunteer.

All results from this year’s event can be viewed online at alpinetiming.com.au/results/r283/