Tonight, ABC‘s Back Roads travels to Wycheproof in Victoria, where Lisa Millar explores one of Australia’s most unusual community events and discovers how a revived tradition is helping breathe new life into the small Mallee town.
With a population of around 600, Wycheproof is home to what is described as the ‘toughest footrace in Australia’. Competitors race one kilometre to the summit of the town’s mountain while carrying up to 60 kilograms of wheat on their shoulders.
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The event, known as the King of the Mountain race, originally ran from 1978 to 1988 before being revived in 2023 as a fundraiser for the local football club.
Ricky Allan, a fifth-generation farmer and President of the local footy club, saw the challenges facing the community and helped bring the event back. The revival has provided a boost for the club, which has gone on to reach this year’s Grand Final.
The program also follows reigning Queen of the Mountain, Carly Isaac, a local plumber and distance runner who returns to defend her title while carrying 20 kilograms of wheat.
Attention also turns to local truck driver Matt Hall, who has finished runner-up in each of the past two years and enters this year’s race as the favourite despite competing with a broken hand. However, a late entrant could threaten his hopes of finally claiming the King of the Mountain title.
Back Roads airs tonight, Thursday 30 July, at 8pm on ABC.
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