THE sun was out, volunteers were smiling and the participants were pumped and ready to go at the Arthurs Seat Challenge 2015 on Sunday.
More than 1500 participants took to the 6.7 kilometre climb from the sea at Rosebud to the summit of Arthurs Seat, raising community awareness and money to support Fit2Drive, a road safety program for young people.
The challenge was taken out by Nathan Barry, a regular at the event, in 26 minutes and 34 seconds.
In the women’s, Kiah Fry was first over the line in 31 minutes and 17 seconds.
Junior champions were brother and sister, Finlay and Freya Clarke. With a time of 28:55, Finlay was the only under-18 competitor to break the 30 minute mark. His sister Freya made it in 34:11.
Dromana College and its 50-member contingent took out the school group section, while the community team trophy went to Chisholm.
The most successful team across the line was the Nordic Ski Academy, with a team time 33:13. It is not the first time skiers have claimed a victory at the summit with the Victorian Cross Country team winning in 2013.
First published in the Western Port News – 10 November 2015