Samson Challenge registrations open

MORE than 600 competitors from across the region were expected to take on the fifteenth annual Samson Challenge on March 1, raising funds for Our Kids.

Rebekka Battista, the Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, said the Samson was an extraordinary event that attracts people from all over the state and South-East Queensland.

“It brings together the community, and along with the huge team of volunteers, this event helps put Lismore on the map for sport and fitness as well as helping support local children,” Mrs Battista said.

The Samson pushes four-person teams to complete twelve gruelling challenges, including a farmer’s walk with jerry cans, a 130kg truck tyre flip, swimming, running, and an obstacle course. The fastest team takes home the Samson title.

The challenge was originally held on one day, but had expanded to include several events across a weekend – the Samson Solo, Samson Teen Sprint, and Samson Kids, providing opportunities for the entire community to participate.

The naming rights sponsor is NBN TV and the 41st Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment (41 RNSWR) and the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre team will continue their support for next year’s event.

The Samson raises funds for Our Kids to purchase paediatric equipment for local hospitals. The funds raised at the 2025 Samson will help buy an Icon Go Retinal Imaging System valued at $159,000 that helps prevent blindness in premature babies.

The portable equipment can be shared between Tweed Valley, Lismore Base and Grafton Base hospitals.

The Samson event is held at Hepburn Park in Goonellabah; however, the run leg will take competitors through the streets to the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre for the swim leg, then back to the oval, where competitors will complete the last two fitness legs.

Registrations for Samson 2025 are now open online.

The Early Bird registration fee is $350 per team.

For more details on the course, or to register, head to www.lismoresamson.com.