Almost 750 youngsters – aged up to 13 – braved, at times, driving rain to participate in the 2025 Harcourts Burnie 321-Go Kids’ Race at West Park on Sunday November 16.
While those in the 7 and under events, 10 and under events and 13 and under events raced over distances from 1 km to 3 km on an out and back course which included part of the Coastal Pathway, those under 5 ran in the Lap for Littlies and there was also a Have A Go All Abilities event.
Participation numbers for the event , which has been running for 26 years, were about 10 per cent up on last year.
Burnie’s Toby Jones won the 13-and-under race boys, completing the three-kilometre course in a time of 10 minutes and 57 seconds with Spreyton’s Cooper Gould and Burnie’s Kaden Riley finished second and third, respectively.
A weekend at the family’s Boat Harbour property enabled Launceston’s Isla Powell-Dean to compete for the first time and she won the girls’ 13 and under event, in 12:15, four seconds ahead of Heybridge’s Lily O’Garey and Devonport’s Veronica Kelly.
Burnie’s Druss McKenna won his second consecutive 10 and under event after a tight struggle WITH Harrison Leary second and Yolla’s Oscar Young third.
Penguin’s Jaye Lambie crossed the line first in the girls’ event, ahead of Turners Beach’s Emilia Rodman and Flowerdale’s Alice Watts.
In the seven-and-under boys’ 1 kilometre race, Burnie’s Layton Riley was first with Ezra Wood and Fletcher Staveley filling the minor placings.
Penguin Arna Dodd was first in the girls’ event ahead of Darcy Ray and Emilia Mulraney (4:52).
Burnie Athletic Club Administrator Nigel Tapp said the event would not be possible without the support of local businesses who provided much needed cash and in-kind support.
They included major sponsor Harcourts Burnie, the Burnie City Council, Caterpillar, Woolworths Upper Burnie, Intersport, McDonalds, Subway, Pirtek, Stubbs Constructions, Psychology Plus, Burnie Trophy House, Prime Accounting, Complete Care Pharmacy Burnie and Ian Wild and Associates.
“We are also grateful for the 70 plus volunteers who give their time from early in the morning to assist with the set up and pack down as well as marshalling and ensuring each participant receives a goodie bag and a medal,” he said.
Nigel said the club was also thankful for the support of the Tassie Devils Football Club, who sent their mascot, Rum’un, to cheer on all participants.