How it all started:

In 1958 Bruce Samuals, a local footballer and railway porter, ran to the top of  the 438m Mt. Cooroora. Later in the Railway Hotel, he made a statement that he had done in less than an hour. Amongst disbelief, Samuals was needled into agreeing to do it again under supervision. March 22nd. 1958 was set as the date, many side bets were placed. Without any preparation Samuals set off and to the amazement of the bystanders returned in 40 minutes. Samuals collected 100 pounds in wagers and became the town hero nicknamed “Hilary” Samuals.

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In 1959, 21 year old Barry Webb decided to challenge Samuals record. Webb was no speedster but knew he had stamina and was in good condition. There was no publicity but most people of the small town lined in front of the hotel to witness the challenge. Barry returned in a time of 35min. to the cheers and backslaps of the crowd. “Hillary” Samuals was one of the first to shake Webb’s hand and declared he would do some preparation and attempt to recapture his record.

On June 27, 1959 the first official Pomona King of the Mountain Race was organized with each runner required to run the course before the next was allowed to start. Frank Mainwaring was the fastest. Taking 31.51, Samuals took 31.52.5, Reg Ollenberg 32.06, 14 year old Ken Fullerton 32.27 and Barry Webb 33.34.

The race today:

In 1979 the Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club formed the King of the Mountain Committee to revive and make the race an annual event. The race is now run on the Fourth Sunday of July each year and has become one of the major events in the Noosa Shire.
The race runs from the centre of Pomona township, past streets crowded with well-wishers and supporters, then heads 'bush' towards the mountain. The runners commence climbing a set of low hills before confronting the mountain. The track up the mountain is little more than a goat track, with parts now modified with steps. In some places, it is only wide enough for one or two runners.

The mountain provides a steep almost vertical climb. The return down the mountain requires strength, agility, a good sense of balance, and an immunity to fear. The course, and indeed the race, has to be seen to be believed! Entrants in the King of the Mountain come from all over Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and the United Kingdom. There is a strong rivalry between the Australian and New Zealand participants.

The race record was set in 1987 by Graham Baralett of Queensland who completed the course in 22..50 min.

The race has 5 categories, Junior, Open Male, Open Women, Veteran, Masters.
A complete list of all category winners can be obtained by clicking here.

The 3Km Fun Run is designed to suit the family unit. This is an easy run which can be enjoyed by Mum and Dad and the young children alike. It can be tackled by children as young as 4 year old. The route takes the runners around the park and to the Mountain car park. From here we enter the forest and follow the marked trail to the Mountain Challenge track. Return to the park is via the mountain challenge track.
Older children can tackle the run by themselves as the route is clearly marked and supervised by Marshals over the entire course.

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The 10 Km run is designed for the serious runner. Winding through the streets of Pomona this race is run mostly on bitumen roads with a small section on a good cross-country track. Starting from the centre of town the route takes you alongside the railway, through the residential parts of town, to the base of the Mountain and back to the park.

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The Primary School Relays are unique in that they are designed as an inter-school competition with teams of four (4) children competing. The Primary School Relays are open to all primary schools in S E Queensland. The races are conducted in two groups, one for boys and one for girls, although occasionally there has been mixed teams, but if this does occur this race is run in the boys category.
Each team consists of four boys or girls and is specific to a particular school. A school can enter more than one team in each category. The lead runner for each team assembles at the start line and on command races around the park on the bitumen road (approx 400M) and returns to the start line passing his or her baton to the next runner in the team. This continues until the fourth member of the team has completed the course. The winner is the first team to complete the course without incurring any penalties.

This is an extremely popular event with excess of 400 children participating.

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