FINAL preparations will occur today and tomorrow for what may be the final running of the district’s largest multi-sport event.
It is anticipated more than 500 people will take to the water and roads on Sunday when Cohuna hosts its annual Bridge to Bridge competition.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first competition being held, which saw Mick Farrant, Bob Maud, Ron Stanton and John Ely accept a dare to swim in the Gunbower Creek from Dalton’s Bridge to the Cohuna Island Road Bridge, all in aid of the Cohuna District Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Since then the event has grown in stature, attracting both national and international swimmers to the creek, with the addition of canoeing, cycling and running/walking competitions ensuring the whole family can take part.
“Numbers were slightly down last year, but they are on track to be up this year, despite there being no triathlon the day before,” event co-ordinator, Geoff Dale said.
Former local residents and past winners, Kahlia Marsh and William Dehne will return to compete in the eight-kilometre swim, which has seen an increase in entry numbers.
“It is a fairly large swim, but people put it on their bucket list to complete,” Mr Dale said.
“Not many people are happy to swim eight kilometres, but you could not get better conditions or a location to swim in.”
The majority of entries will be for the 6.5-kilometre run/walk along Cohuna Island Road, with the canoe sections and cycling events to also be popular.
Registrations are still open for the event, with an office set up at 19A Market Street, Cohuna.
The event office will be open this afternoon and all day tomorrow to enable participants to collect entry numbers prior to Sunday’s competition.
Meanwhile, organisers have welcomed offers for assistance to keep the event going.
The Gannawarra Times reported on Tuesday that the small committee of volunteers who oversee the event are all stepping down after Sunday, meaning new members need to be sought or else the competition will not proceed.
The group has received numerous offers from those wanting to help out, including the organisers of the Massive Murray Paddle, who have expressed support to manage the canoe competitions.
“We would love it if there are people to come on board and run the event,” Mr Dale said.
“There is an end to everything and after 25 years it was a good enough time to decide it was enough.”
