Runners rise to the challenge at the Chinny Charge

MORE than 400 runners and walkers conquered the steep slopes of Mt Chincogan in Mullumbimby for this year’s Chinny Charge, with Murwillumbah’s Jack Gill claiming his third straight win.

Gill, from Gilly’s Coaching & Wellness, finished the 6.5-kilometre race in 30 minutes and three seconds. He was followed by Bangalow Runners member Aaron Dower at 33:04 and Stefan Gouws in 33:46.

The fastest female was Ange Harries from the Sunshine Coast hinterland, finishing in 40:42 ahead of Marlie Campton at 41:45 and Mullumbimby local Henna Hadad in 42:39.

Event organiser Jenelle Stanford said the 2025 Chinny Charge was a huge success.

“It’s probably the best one we have ever had,” she said.

“We had such a good network of community helping out and everybody was in a good mood. I think because it’s the one day of the year they can get on the mountain it makes them happy. The weather was overcast so it wasn’t boiling hot.”

While participants in the main event must be aged 12 or older, younger athletes took part in the Children’s Challenge, which followed a shorter route to the base of the mountain.

Alex Dower won the boys’ section in 14:51, followed by Reginald Nelson at 16:52 and Nelson Stokes in 17:32.

In the girls’ section, Zahli Thompson placed first in 18:25, ahead of Maggie Egan in 26:14.

The oldest male competitor was 72-year-old Neville Newell, and the oldest female was 83-year-old Beverly Meredith.

Stanford’s husband, Dean, received the Kevin Moran Award in recognition of his efforts behind the scenes.

“He went far beyond what everyone needed to do – he not only put up with me, but he got the mountain ready pretty much on his own,” she said.

First launched in 1960 to fund the construction of Mullumbimby’s memorial swimming pool, the Chinny Charge has grown into a major community event that now supports a range of charities and local initiatives.

Stanford extended thanks to the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce, NSW Fire and Rescue Station House 388 Mullumbimby, Byron Shire Council and major sponsor Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club.