Toowoomba CrossFit community continues to support Brett Forte Memorial Challenge

The Brett Forte Memorial Challenge has become a major drawcard of the Toowoomba CrossFit calendar

CROSSFIT: Toowoomba’s CrossFit community continues to do its part to ensure the memory of Queensland Police senior constable Brett Forte is never forgotten.

Forte, who was a passionate CrossFit Toowoomba member, was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2017.

Following Forte’s death, the Brass Monkey Challenge was renamed the Brett Forte Memorial Challenge in his honour.

“It was an easy decision to make,” CrossFit Toowoomba co-owner Dave Adams said.

“He (Forte) was a big part of the CrossFit Toowoomba community, passionate and supportive.

“In the first year, we used it (the challenge) as a way to raise funds to support Brett’s widow and his family, now we donate those funds to other organisations and worthy causes.”

Despite the blistering hot conditions last Saturday, Adams said the spirit on show was amazing.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” he said.

“We had a good mix of competitors from Toowoomba and a few from Dalby who made the trip in.

“We had athletes who were here to really compete and some who had only been doing CrossFit for a few months and just wanted to have fun.

Mitch Lippiatt (left) waits for teammate Bree Gibbons to complete her lift during the Brett Forte Memorial Challenge hosted by CrossFit Toowoomba. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Everyone was there for the right reason though – everybody got behind and supported each other.

“We had a fantastic group of volunteers who gave up their time to help make the day a success and we got some excellent feedback.”

Funds from this year’s event will be donated to the Butterfly Foundation – an organisation that helps people battling eating disorders and their families.