Race around Mount Panorama set to be punishing test

With over 600 participants already signed up, this year’s Mount Panorama Punish is set to be the biggest one yet.

Now in its second year, Mount Panorama Punish is a race around the iconic motor racing circuit, but with one big hurdle – participants have to get around the track in just one hour.

And there’s other strict time limits, with competitors having to reach the King and Queen of the Mountain point at McPhillamy Park within 30 minutes.

The event is organised by race directors Jennifer Arnold and Stephen Jackson, who worked together to bring parkrun to Bathurst.

“We are overwhelmed with the support and excitement that’s already building for this year’s event,” Ms Arnold said.

“Entries have already tipped 60 per cent of capacity and we’re still two months away from race day.”

At last year’s event, it took 61-year-old Stephen Jackson just 26 minutes to get around the circuit.

“There’s a lot of training that is needed, going up and down hills. When I was going down the Esses in last year’s race, I really felt it in the thighs,” he said.

“Interest in this year’s event has really taken off. The Bathurst community has really supported it and runners have come from everyone. We’ve got a couple coming from France, who take to running international, iconic motor racing tracks. They sent us some videos of them running at Spa and Nürburgring.”

Last year’s winning time was the 22 minutes and 19 seconds mark but Mr Jackson believes that could be under threat, with some of the talent that could be coming.

In total, $5000 was raised at last year’s event and was donated to Marathon Health, headspace, parkrun, Bathurst Girl Guides and Mel’s Go Grey in May.

This year, organisers are hoping to raise $10,000, to go towards community groups in the region.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 11, starting at 8am.

Tickets are available at panoramapunish.com.