ONE of the most gruelling charity runs in Queensland passed through the area over the weekend, with hundreds of riders participating all in the name of charity.
After a 27-year-history, the 500 Summer Challenge is a running relay that has become one of the premier fund-raising events for the Endeavour Foundation.
Race director, Phil Hungerford, said runners from about a dozen different teams did about 5km each leg starting in Beenleigh on Friday morning out to Warwick then down to Gatton and Lowood by Sunday.
“More than $50,000 was raised from the 11 teams and next year we are looking at an increase to about 16 teams,” Mr Hungerford said.
The race wrapped up after travelling down the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to Fernvale on Sunday afternoon where runners feasted on pies and were presented awards.
“We don’t run through the night obviously but the 20 people in each team have four support vehicles, including a police escort and specific changeover points,” he said.
“Each runner runs at least three times a day.”
He said there is a long history where the race changed course and started in New South Wales.
“I am not sure who the original race charity was but the original 500km was from the university in Armidale to the top of Mt Cootha,” Mr Hungerford said.
“The course has been revised over time, to ensure safety and new rules are adhered to.”
The 500 Summer Challenge Relay travelled through Beaudesert, Rathdowney, Lake Mooogerah, Yangan, Killarney, Warwick, Allora, Clifton, Greenmount, Toowoomba, Gatton, Lowood and Fernvale.

 

ONE of the most gruelling charity runs in Queensland passed through the area over the weekend, with hundreds of riders participating all in the name of charity.
After a 27-year-history, the 500 Summer Challenge is a running relay that has become one of the premier fund-raising events for the Endeavour Foundation.
Race director, Phil Hungerford, said runners from about a dozen different teams did about 5km each leg starting in Beenleigh on Friday morning out to Warwick then down to Gatton and Lowood by Sunday.
“More than $50,000 was raised from the 11 teams and next year we are looking at an increase to about 16 teams,” Mr Hungerford said.
The race wrapped up after travelling down the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to Fernvale on Sunday afternoon where runners feasted on pies and were presented awards.
“We don’t run through the night obviously but the 20 people in each team have four support vehicles, including a police escort and specific changeover points,” he said.
“Each runner runs at least three times a day.”
He said there is a long history where the race changed course and started in New South Wales.
“I am not sure who the original race charity was but the original 500km was from the university in Armidale to the top of Mt Cootha,” Mr Hungerford said.
“The course has been revised over time, to ensure safety and new rules are adhered to.”
The 500 Summer Challenge Relay travelled through Beaudesert, Rathdowney, Lake Mooogerah, Yangan, Killarney, Warwick, Allora, Clifton, Greenmount, Toowoomba, Gatton, Lowood and Fernvale.