I moved to Gordonvale in 1969, and had a small farm on Highleigh Rd directly across the Mulgrave from the Pyramid.  Hadn’t even been up (didn’t know there was a track to the top) when the race (first of the second series) was announced. Couldn’t resist the challenge, and soon discovered the track!  When I couldn’t get onto the hill, I trained by running up and down David Thomas’s newly ploughed cane paddock – in my work boots.

The race started from the park in the centre of town that year, and crossed the river via the (Behanna water?) pipeline. Not too bad on the way over, but a different proposition (with rubbery legs) on the way back. I don’t know if anyone actually went in, but many would have been tempted – imagine it would have been quite refreshing.

Nigel Godfrey (Pommy geologist from the tablelands) seemed to be the only runner with any `form’ for the race. He was second (I think) to the top but apparently `went bush’ on the way down. (The track was probably a little less used and a little less obvious then than it would be now). He came in third.

 Roy Armstrong (local State member) was on hand at the finish, and offered to buy me a beer. I put aside any political differences for the afternoon, and accepted…`as long as it is a pint’.   Didn’t touch the sides.

The next year, I thought I’d do it all again. Did a bit more training, and needed to, as by this time Kevin Fisher had arrived on the scene (living in Cairns). Although a few years older (about 14!) he was a very good pro runner from Vic, and held a world (masters) mile record for one (some) particular age group.

The race again started from town, but no tip-toeing across the pipeline that year. Was first to the top, but fell twice on the way down! First time, missed my footing (someone coming up asked `how far to the top’, and I looked up to answer…..); the second time (about three quarters of the way down) heat stress and dehydration caught up with me and I went down `for the count’.  All I was worried about was `not getting a stitch’, so I drank nothing before the race (and there was precious little water at the top, but that’s another story!).

Second runner past, Ian Thomas, hauled me to my feet, but would have had to carry me for me to have gone anywhere. He let me go and I resumed my position flat on the ground!

Eventually got up and walked to the bottom, where I made serious inroads into the available supplies of orange juice.  (obviously not worried about anyone else’s thirst). Jogged to the finish for third place.

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.

In 1979 I was working the afternoon shift at the Yabulu nickel refinery – I was an operator on the roasters, which as the name implies was a very hot job.

My mate Widge Rowden picked me up from work when my shift finished at midnight, and we drove through the night to Gordonvale, and slept the rest of the night in the back of Widge’s falcon station wagon. Neither Widge nor I knew anything about Gordonvale or Walsh’s Pyramid, and on first sight of it were a bit in awe of this mountain and the challenge it presented. It was, and still is, one of the toughest races I have competed in. I went on to win the day; Widge if I remember correctly, finished a very gutsy 7th after falling and also losing his way.

In 1980 I was a bit better prepared knowing this time what lay ahead of me, and it was special in another way, because my mother, here on holiday from the UK was my sidekick (Widge being unable to make it).History records that I won this event in record time, witnessed by a very delighted Mum. This made the 1980 Pyramid race a great day for both of us (Mum’s not with us now, but I like to think that for a moment she was proud of her son).

After 30 years I returned to Gordonvale and ran the 2008 race. Luckily I was in peak condition and was able to achieve the summit of my ambition by winning my age group in a time of 2.05.11.

Editor’s Note: John is back to run again this year. What a guy!

I ran the first ever race up and back Walsh’s Pyramid on Saturday 19th September 1959, when I was 15 years old. Runners assembled at the base of the pyramid at 6am. I remember some who entered – Cyril Vains, Billy Thomas and Johnny Jacobs, but I suspect every Southern Suburbs football player started! Ma Gadloff and her daughter Shelia also ran. Joan Sheen, who lived with my grandmother Bessie Buchanan ran too, but only kept going to keep Ma Gadloff behind her!

Competitors were counted off before the start and when the runners reached the top their arm was marked (probably with a pen) with a slash to indicate they had reached the summit before commencing the descent. The officials who were to check the runners at the top had walked up the day before and camped over night.

The finish line was in Gordonvale at Norman Park but no defined path was set. Young Gordonvale lads came the short way home – through Warners farm, across the pipes scanning the Mulgrave River, up Green Patch Hill, along Mill Road to ambulance corner and into Norman Park. Others used the road of the Bruce Highway to cross over at the old traffic bridge and up Sue’s hill on the northern side of the Mulgrave Mill.

There were no water stops or communication from the top. I didn’t take any water but had a good breakfast before leaving home with my father, who drove me to the starting line. At least I didn’t have to walk that distance at the start! I wore canvas shoes like the cane cutters wore. In this first year, no awards were presented to winners but to receive a certificate, a competitor had to complete the run.

I remember too, in 1961, my brother Ray won the school boy’s division. The awards were presented at a ball held in the RSL hall. As there was going to be alcohol at the ball, the school age winners were told to go to the movies first and at the interval to go across to the RSL hall and collect their trophies!!

My father Alf, sister Marisa and I were introduced to the Pyramid Race in the early 1980’s when runners from the Cairns Road Runners club decided to take up the challenge. My family, especially my father, discovered that we had a knack for running up this mountain and back then (when we were a lot younger) we could actually descend quite well also, thanks to the guidance of Ren Wiles. He was the local “mountain goat”, one of the fastest runners I have ever witnessed flying down the mountain. Stupidly, we had no option but to follow. As it turned out, it was to be a skill that would help me claim victory 8 times.

Of all the races I have done around the World (I cycled competitively in Europe in the 1990’s) the Pyramid is still my favourite by far. It is a challenge every time you climb and descend it. I feel honoured to still hold the Women’s record and will be sad the day it falls.

I respect the mountain; I don’t conquer it – ever.

I lived in Gordonvale for 40 years and my only interest in the Pyramid Race for many years was to comment “look at those silly buggers running up that hill!” Having retired in 1990 I decided on the spur of the moment to enter the fray and run the hill just once. After two weeks of light training I nominated and after approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes and total exhaustion I made it to the finish line.

I then decided to procure a pair of running shoes and train more to take 10 minutes off my first attempt. Being successful in this, I caught the “bug”, and wanted to reduce my time to under 2 hours. This was my objective for the next ten years, so I joined the Cairns Road Runners and went on to compete in the Australian and World Masters Games in track and field and swimming with some success.

So my advice to all and sundry is to enter the Pyramid and enjoy! In conclusion I wish the Great Pyramid Race continued success, and sincerely thank all those involved for their unselfish endeavours in maintaining such an outstanding event.