40 for Fortey banks $60k since event was launched in honour of Brett Forte
About 400 runners braved the crisp morning air to run laps at the Toowoomba Showground in memory of police officers who died protecting their communities.
Toowoomba
Don't miss out on the headlines from Toowoomba. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Organisers of the 40 for Fortey fun run are expecting to donate more than $10,000 to Queensland Police Legacy after they are done counting the takings from the 2023 event, held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on Sunday.
The 40 for Fortey event asks participants to complete 40km, either individually or as a team, around a 4km loop of the Toowoomba Showgrounds.
Race director Louise MacDonald said about 400 runners had signed up for the 40km run, half of whom were police, or family members of police.
“We had a lot of teams from the Darling Downs police district as well as a big contingent from the Moreton district,” she said.
“Polair also sent a team and brought the helicopter with them.”
Local runner Chris Fenton won the solo run for the third year in a row, with a time that was faster than all but two of the team runners.
The event was launched in the wake of Senior Constable Brett Forte’s death in 2017.
The Darling Downs District Tactical Crime Squad officer and his partner were following wanted criminal Ricky Maddison when they were ambushed on a forestry road in the Lockyer Valley.
Two of the bullets fired at Snr Const. Forte hit him in the chest.
Injured, he reversed the police car to a safer distance away from the offender; however, he then lost consciousness and the police vehicle rolled over.
While Snr Forte’s memory is very much alive during the event, the 2023 run took on an extra layer of meaning with the passing of Constable Rachel McCrow and Matt Arnold in an ambush at Wieambilla in December 2022.
Ms MacDonald said merchandise on sale at the run had been emblazoned with their service numbers.
“All of the profits raised on the day will go to Queensland Police Legacy,” she said.
“It can be a dangerous job, and we are really happy to support Queensland Police Legacy because they do a great job supporting families.”
Meet the best family day care educator in the Darling Downs
After years of being nominated for the title, a mother and daycare educator has been recognised as the best daycare educator in the Darling Downs region.
‘Burn in hell’: Sadistic brute douses girlfriend in petrol, threatens to kill her
A woman has suffered years of abuse at the hands of her partner who once threatened to slice her from head to toe if she ever betrayed him.
‘Fake news’: Misadventure and agitation leads to controversial farm approval
A controversial farm development north of Toowoomba has been passed by councillors, after multiple council enforcement notices, and construction beginning months before the development application was even lodged.
Qld election: Who is running in Toowoomba seats in 2024
The 2024 state election campaign is just a few days old but Toowoomba and Darling Downs voters already have more than 15 candidates to choose from across four seats. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HERE:
Specialist police called to help in search for missing man
A search and rescue operation is under way at a popular fishing hole after a young man vanished.
Qld election: No-show at minister’s Toowoomba Hospital visit
No Toowoomba media were contacted for one of the government’s top ministers’ visits to Toowoomba. Here’s the latest from the Queensland election campaign trail: