MORE than 600 athletes from across the state are expected to take part on the Tower Hill Challenge this Saturday.
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The event is run by the Koroit Football Netball Club with help from a number of community organisations.
The first Tower Hill Challenge was held in 2014 and organiser Alistair McCosh said he was happy with the growth of the event.
“Last year we had 560 people and at this stage we have 540 registered,” Mr McCosh said.
“We are expecting probably another 100 more to sign up so we are really happy with that.
“Included in those numbers are 70 juniors. This is the first time we have had a junior section and the response has been great.”
The event has gained a strong following locally, and this year entries have been received from as far away as Mount Gambier, Melbourne, Ballarat and Horsham.
Competitors will meet at Victoria Park early on Saturday and will then be bused to the Tower Hill State Game Reserve.
The first lot of runners will hit the course at 8am with other groups to follow at regular intervals.
Mud, ice, tyres and wooden barriers will all stand in the way of competitors trying to complete the course.
“We have some new obstacles in place this year,” Mr McCosh said.
“We want to make sure we have different challenges for those that have done it before. We have a rate of about 60 per cent of people who have already done the event and are returning.”
Three routes are available for competitors. These include 15-kilometre and six kilometre courses with the junior section measuring three kilometres.
The event will finish at Victoria Park with competitors encouraged to stay around for live music and something to eat and drink.
While the event is a fund-raiser for the town’s football netball club, Mr McCosh said many groups in the community played their part.
“It is community effort for sure.”
“The CFA, the schools, the SES, the Lions club, police and the CWA all play a part in making sure we deliver the event safely and efficiently,” Mr McCosh said.