Pomona’s King of the Mountain, on Mt Cooroora, ends after 44 years

In the wake of a “devastating” cancellation of the much-loved King of the Mountain event, The Department of Environment has revealed the change it asked a race committee to make so it could give the green light.

Ben Duffus competes in the 2018 King of the Mountain event.

The Queensland running community and a small town is in shock after the internationally recognised and highly competitive King of the Mountain race on the Sunshine Coast was sensationally scrapped.

Stricter conditions imposed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the race’s 2024 permit approval have been blamed for the axing of a race that has endured for 44 years.

But the wildlife service has hit back, saying it asked for a single change to the race format this year.

Pomona cafe owner of eight years James Gross said his regulars had expressed how “disheartened” they were as news of the event’s cancellation spread through town.

“People don’t know what to say or do,” he said.

“It’s funny, the last few years there’s been whispers and talks about it not going on and I suppose it’s no surprise, but I don’t know, we’re trying to come to terms with it.”

Hayden Wilde makes the steep climb up the Pomona King of the Mountain trail.

He said, from a business perspective, some years were better than others for his bottom line on the event day.

“But it also brings attention to Pomona, it brings people here and they think ‘I’ll come back here’,” Mr Gross said.

He also questioned how much damage “80 runners” could do to Mt Cooroora.

Mt Cooroora, home of King of the Mountain Picture: John McCutcheon

“What additional impact does that have on the mountain when people are going up and down it all day every day,” he said.

“You can see visible damage and erosion from the (foot) traffic, but stopping the race isn’t going to stop that.

“What’s the real reason?”

Sources have told The Courier-Mail complaints from a vocal group of locals about the preservation of the track were responsible.

The race drew big crowds to the Noosa hinterland town of Pomona.

“It’s unbelievable it has come to this,” one resident said.

“The race is an iconic event but a minority agitating about it now means it’s over.”

Another resident said there were fears the same fate would befall the Cooroy Mountain Spring Festival in August.

A Pomona business owner has questioned how much damage the runners could actually do to an already eroded Mt Cooroora track.

A King of the Mountain spokesperson said the decision to scrap the race was “a weighty one”.

Writing on Facebook midafternoon on March 1, the spokesperson said “the race committee’s dedication to providing a safe yet thrilling experience, complete with the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Mt Cooroora finishing chute, has left an indelible mark on the community”.

Jill Taft (left) and Meg Davidson embrace after finishing a King of the Mountain race. Picture: Che Chapman

“A continued deterioration of track conditions has prompted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to impose stricter conditions for this year’s permit approval.

“While preserving the natural beauty of Mt Cooroora remains a shared priority, it’s a reminder that even cherished events must, where possible, adapt to changing circumstances or face closure.

“Over the years, the race committee has proactively worked to ensure the race supports the wellbeing of the mountain as much as possible.

“Unfortunately, to meet new permit conditions, the race is required to be adjusted in a way that the race committee believes would compromise its essence too much.”

Heather Manders, Barry Stewart, Leslie Saunders and Bendigo Bank's Geoff Edwards ready for the 40th running of Pomona King of the Mountain.

The decision to end the event was made as “testament to our respect for the land” and a commitment to upholding the “integrity” of the racing experience.

“For logistical reasons, this also means the Prince and Princess circuit of the race will no longer be run,” the statement read.

An Environment Department spokesman said any decision to cancel the race was a matter for the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club.

“In recent years the entry numbers have been limited to 80 competitors at Queensland Park and Wildlife Service’s request, the only amendment requested this year has been that the start is staggered over two stages of 40 competitors each,” he said.

“This will help protect the environmental and cultural values of Mt Cooroora and the Tuchekoi National Park, as well as the safety of competitors.”

The spokesman said in past years the event had attracted more than 100 participants.

“This has caused environmental and safety issues, particularly when competitors who have reached the summit begin to descend and meet competitors who are still ascending,” he said.

“The resultant bottlenecks have seen entrants running off the track and into environmentally fragile and sensitive areas, and tripping and falling, often in places where their safety is at significant risk.

“QPWS continues to be willing to negotiate a reasonable resolution with the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club that reduces the impact on the environment and culturally sensitive areas and minimises the safety risk to competitors.”

Pomona resident of 12 years Shantelle Gilbert said she and her friend had vowed to race in the event “just once”, and had committed to entering last year.

“We even had a photo taken together at the finish line of last year’s race to then have a photo of us this year after we finished the race,” she said.

Tam Wilkins and Pomona resident Shantelle Gilbert had promised each other they would compete in the event in 2024.

“It is heart-wrenching for a small town like Pomona to lose such an awesome event.”

Many runners have navigated the challenging and at times near-vertical course over the four decades the race has existed, with many winners able to run the race in little more than 20 minutes.

Joshua Campton races in the Pomona King of the Mountain.

Racers have come from overseas and interstate to compete.

In 2018, Brisbane racer Ben Duffus won the crown, describing his game plan of getting down Mt Cooroora.

“On the way down there’s no tactics. It’s pretty much fall down the mountain without hurting yourself as quickly as possible,” he said.

With the race scrapped, a new event will be held instead, the Pomona Family Fun Day on July 28.

Noosa MP Sandy Bolton encouraged locals and visitors to support the fun day.

“The race has been a highlight in our communities’ calendar every year, as well to the many thousands of visitors from across the world,” Ms Bolton said.

“I thank each and every one of the fabulous volunteers who have made this possible for over four decades.

“Now let us all get behind and fully support the KOM Committee and the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club in this decision and ensure the Pomona Family Fun Day becomes a much-loved favourite for all.”

The Department of Environment has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Pomona’s King of the Mountain, on Mt Cooroora, ends after 44 years