Toowoomba event photo gallery | Top of the Range running champions Violet Richardson, Eden Broksch

Age is no barrier and two young Toowoomba girls are proof of that after beating adults up to seven times their age in a long-distance race. Check out our event photo gallery here.

Eden Broksch, second and Violet Richardson first in the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

After competing in the Top of the Range 5km race at the weekend, nine-year-old Violet Richardson was awarded first place, followed by her best friend Eden Broksch in second.

The pair, who have been part of a local running group for the past two years and train twice a week even in the wet weather, have developed a love for the sport.

Beating 35 other participants, including adults aged from 18 to 70, in the event which was hosted by On the Edge Events, both girls finished the race with a smile.

The two young competitors were also the only entrants to finish the race in less than 30 minutes at the average pace of 5km per hour.

Eden Broksch, second and Violet Richardson first in the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“You think because the kids are little they won’t be competitive but they just absolutely dominated … it was incredible,” Eden’s mum Margaret Broksch said.

“Eden beat her dad by a mile so she was pretty happy about that.

“The Toowoomba running community is great and it’s (a hobby) you can enjoy at all ages.”

It comes after Violet won the State Cross Country Championships and Brisbane Cross Country Series – both events which Eden placed second in again.

Ms Broksch said while there was healthy competition between the pair, they were always happy to celebrate each other’s successes.

“Eden is always very happy for Violet because she knows how hard she works and how many hours she spends training,” Ms Broksch said.

“Ultimately they know they’re a team and that’s what they enjoy most.”

It seems taking out the top spots runs in the family after Ms Broksch’s son Landon also placed first in the children’s 2km race on the day.

Aaron Batchelor finishes the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Landon Broksch came first in the 2km followed by his mother Margaret Broksch. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Violet Richardson 9yo wins the 5km event outright. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Maggie Wade finishes the 2km. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Chelsea Richards finishes the 2km. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Ben Brunner finishes the 2km. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Amelia Morton finishes the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Violet Richardson 9yo wins the 5km event outright. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Ruby Richardson finished the 10km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Larissa Nieling and Emily Mackle finished the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Eden Broksch is the second finisher in the 5km event. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Selina Richards and her brother Harrison Richards compete in the 2km. Top of the Range adventure trail run at Picnic Point. Sunday, April 2, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.