After I did the Cairns to Karumba bike ride in 2001, the Pyramid King, Ian Kruger told me that my? muscles were now strong enough for me to enter the Pyramid race that year!  I was reasonably fit and did a bit of training: half way up the Pyramid once and several times up the Blue Arrow walk on Mt Whitfield. 
 
The race was held a month later that year to fit in with the Centenary of Federation activities and a hot breeze was blowing in our faces when we headed off to the Pyramid which was covered with a smoke haze from a burn off.  I made it to the top and was pleased to be able to pass a few people as I withheld fear and pelted down the mountain.  I wobbled back to Gordonvale on jelly legs and was happy with my time of 2 hours and 28 minutes especially when a few younger blokes came in after me!
 
I think I’m probably the only Cairns Mayor to have run the race. I was going to challenge Kevin Byrne one year but I suspect he wouldn’t have accepted.