General News
10 September, 2024
Want to be King of the Mountain? The chance to reign returns September 28
The runners take a 60kg or 20kg wheat bag up Mount Wycheproof.
The chance to be crowned the king of the world's smallest mountain returns this month.
After a successful return in 2023, the Wycheproof King of the Mountain is back again on Saturday, September 28.
Each year the event is held, the town of 600 swells, as competitors vie for bragging rights, while onlookers enjoy the serenity of a community picnics with the AFL grand final playing on the big screen.
Standing at just 42 metres, Mount Wycheproof doesn't appear that big.
However, it's feels a lot bigger once participants carry either a 20kg or 60kg wheat bag on their backs during the 1km race from Centenary Park and up to the summit.
First held in the 1970s through to 1988, the event drew thousands of people to the township, with a party the night before the race attracting plenty of out-of-towners.
The small southern Mallee town is famous the trains that rumble down the middle of its main street.
But soon the small mountain grew a big reputation.
ACM's Chris McLennan wrote in 2023 about the downfall of the King of the Mountain.
"It was one of those rare country events which became too popular," he wrote.
"Its success outstripped the ability of locals to being able to manage the thousands of people who came to watch.
"And frankly, before it was axed it was attracting some unsavoury types which saw the all-you-can-drink party which followed in a local grain shed the scene of many fights."
A triumphant return
Resurrected by the Wycheproof-Narraport Football Club, the mythical event returned after a 35 year hiatus.
With wheat bags on backs - or in wheelbarrows - people came from all over to see competitors conquer Mount Wycheproof.
There were wheelbarrow relays, sprints and then the two main events - Queen and King of the Mount.
In 2023, Stawell Police station's Senior Constable Tom Rodgers was crowned the King of the mountain.
Snr Const Rodgers narrowly edged out Wycheproof local Matt Hall by 44 seconds, with a time of six minutes and 19 seconds.
Wedderburn's Carly Isaac put on a real show as she won each race she competed in, including the coveted Queen of the Mount.
She completed the main race in five minutes and four seconds.
Ten races are scheduled, with each literally a task of running uphill about 1km.
Full details, including the race schedule, entry details, location maps and contact information, can be found on https://www.kingofthemount.com.au.