Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge for Our Kids to hold 13th annual event in 2023

The North Coast’s premier fitness challenge is revving up to launch from the depths of disaster to triumph in its 13th year. Here’s the latest on the event.

The Samson challenge is expected to boom in numbers this year.

The biggest fitness challenge on the North Coast is revving up ahead of its launch in early March.

The much-loved Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge will kick off on March 3, marking its 13th year.

Competitors raise funds for Our Kids to provide assistance to sick children and to help them obtain treatment locally.

This year’s event is a fundraiser to buy a Resuscitaire for the Children’s Ward at Lismore Base Hospital, worth $37,000.

The Drager devices can be used for warming therapy and clinical emergency and resuscitation purposes during birthing.

Our Kids Samson Challenge participant Lisa Parkes (a Ninja Warrior).

Our Kids fundraising co-ordinator Rebekka Battista said: “Like everyone in our community, last year all our events were affected, so being able to hold the Samson again is exciting.”

“We already have 55 early bird teams from the area, southeast Queensland and Brisbane.

“We are certainly hoping for the biggest Samson yet and have had incredible response from teams outside of Lismore wanting to support our region.”

The challenge features teams of four completing in gruelling challenges including strength activities, running, swimming and an outdoor obstacle course.

Competitors hit the turf at Hepburn Park in Goonellabah to complete five legs on the oval.

Next, the run takes competitors through the streets to Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre for the swim leg, followed by a run back to the oval where competitors complete the last three fitness legs.

The fastest team will take home the Samson title.

Our Kids Samson Challenge participant Tony Curtis.

Lismore personal trainer and owner of Curtis Fitness Training Tony Curtis has entered teams in the challenge every year it has been held and this year four teams will take part.

Mr Curtis also designed one of the obstacles in the event and his studio has refined training sessions to offer clients the same obstacles as they will face when they tackle Samson.

“It’s to give people the gist of it. See, people think Samson is just a local event and it isn’t that hard, but it actually is quite a full on event.

“It works your whole body.”

Mr Curtis said it was beneficial to get some training in beforehand to avoid injuries.

“If there’s one thing about Lismore is people leave things to the last minute to get in condition for it, so when they come to me there’s not enough time to get them into proper condition” he said.

“Because of that all I can really show them is proper techniques and how they can get through the day without injuring themselves or blowing up their arms or whatever from doing the wrong technique then suffering through the rest of it.”

Team Samson has once again joined forces with the 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment, and the team at the aquatic centre.

Lismore’s Army Reserve unit will be at the GSAC Health Expo along with the Southern Cross University Recovery Zone.

Our Kids Samson Challenge participant John Fisiilose.

Lismore Samson events are:

• ­Samson Solo – Friday, March 3 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The Solo is for people who want to do part of the course alone.
• Samson Kids – Saturday, March 4 from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Activities run by Kidz Fitness and Northern Rivers Jumping Castles for children aged 1-11.
• Samson Teen Sprint – Saturday, March 4 from 9.30am. This is a 3km run for kids aged 11-15 years.
• The Samson – Saturday, March 4. Teams of four start from 7am. Open to anyone aged 16 years and over.

Team registrations are now open and close at midnight on Tuesday, February 14.

The registration fee is $380 per team.

More information can be found on the Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge website.