TOWER Hill is the setting for a new major sporting event in the south-west.
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The iconic landmark will host the inaugural Tower Hill Challenge, based on the Tough Mudder competitions, on Saturday, December 6.
Koroit Football Netball Club is organising the event, with a minimum of 500 people expected to take part.
Its inspiration is the Tough Mudder endurance events which have become popular in recent years — the Phillip Island contest attracts 12,000 competitors.
The Tower Hill Challenge will give competitors the option of taking on either a six-kilometre or 12km course.
Entrants will meet at Koroit’s Victoria Park before being bussed to Tower Hill for the race.
Obstacles made of wood, tyres, ice and large areas of heavy mud will test competitors.
The course will wind its way through Tower Hill before competitors head up the northern face and into Koroit township.
In Koroit they will take on a number of challenges in paddocks in the town, including tackling a final massive mud pit in a paddock at the rear of the old convent.
The race will reach its conclusion at Victoria Park, where live entertainment, food and drink will be available for those who wish to wind down or celebrate their achievements.
Tower Hill Challenge is the brainchild of Saints club committee member Alistair McCosh.
McCosh is excited about the event becoming a reality.
“It is something I have been working on for the last two years and we have a sub-committee set up to get the event up and going,” he said.
“We have received permission from Parks Victoria and the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative to use Tower Hill so it’s full-steam ahead now.
“The course through Tower Hill will stay on the already established tracks so there will be no damage to the environment.
“I don’t think you could find a better place for an event like this. the natural environment of Tower Hill makes it the perfect venue.
“We are hoping to attract a lot of people from outside the region to this event, which would bring some valuable outside money into the town.”
Koroit Football Netball Club has had talks with the Moyne Shire Council about possible seed funding to help the event get established.
McCosh said Tower Hill Challenge would require up to 70 volunteers to run and was keen to hear from anyone willing to help out.
“We are looking for as many volunteers as we can and we are also going to develop partnerships with other community groups to be involved in the event,” he said.
Entry fees are $79 for the 12km race and $59 for the 6km run. The event has already attracted more than 1000 likes on Facebook.