Pyramid dash the pinnacle

Saturday, August 16, 2008

IT will be man against mountain as legs ache, people fall, ankles twist and lungs burn when those crazy enough to do so stretch their bodies and minds to be the first to conquer Gordonvale's mighty Pyramid today.

While specialists will lead the pack, amateur fun runners will make up the bulk of those competing in front of a crowd that is estimated to reach 10,000.

At the sharp end, the field for the 49th annual mad charge up and down the monolith is wide open, with former winners set to challenge the mountain in droves.

Last year's winner Neil Labinsky, of Nambour, who set a new record of 1hr 15min 34sec as he dashed up and down the 922m mountain, is back to defend his title.

But Great Pyramid Race event manager Kerry Thompson said Labinsky was no sure thing to take out the coveted men's open title.

"Troy de Haas who was unable to compete last year but won in 2005/06 is also back to have a crack," she said.

"Another exciting entry is 1979/80 winner John Carlton. He is 65 and comes back in the Master's Category to try and beat the mountain again."

<strong>Mountain men:</strong> Troy de Haas, the 2005 and 2006 winner of the Great Pyramid Race, limbers up with last year's runner-up, Steven Page of Hervey Bay. Both men will tackle the mountain today in the race for glory.

Mountain men: Troy de Haas, the 2005 and 2006 winner of the Great Pyramid Race, limbers up with last year's runner-up, Steven Page of Hervey Bay. Both men will tackle the mountain today in the race for glory.

<strong>Discipline:</strong> The boy was suspended for seven days from Bentley Park College.

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<strong>Life lost:</strong> Bob Mutton on his 87th birthday last year.

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<strong>Speak up:</strong> The Queensland Ambulance Service will only investigate allegations by paramedics that they are being overworked and bullied by superiors if staff are willing to come forward.

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<strong>Set up:</strong> Kelvin Davis leaving court after being fined for obstructing police.

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