Run Queensland wins adventure award
HINTERLAND based trail running organisation, Run Queensland has been announced as the 2023 Queensland Government Adventure Tourism winner at the recent Outdoor Queensland Awards.
Over 200 guests attended the gala awards night dinner and awards ceremony held on October 27 at Rydges South Bank in Brisbane.
Run Queensland founder, Brett Standring, said the evening was a fantastic acknowledgement and celebration of Queensland’s outdoor community.
He said Run Queensland organise several annual trail running events including the internationally recognised Blackall 100.
Brett said he was thrilled to accept the award along with his wife Megan on behalf of the organisation. He said it felt great to be in the room with like- minded outdoor enthusiasts, adventure tourism operators, outdoor education providers and activity clubs, and it was wonderful to receive recognition for all the hard work put in by the volunteers and all the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring trail running events to the community.
The award marks both a significant win for the Glass House Mountains-based organisation while also coinciding with the 10 year anniversary of their iconic Blackall 100 trail running ultra event. The Blackall 100 has been a major trail-running calender event that follows much of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk trail. Competitors sign up for either a 100km or 50km endurance circuit that starts and finishes at Mapleton. Brett said being recognised with the award on such a milestone year made it even more special.
“We are really pleased to have been recognised, especially on our 10th anniversary, however, the really big win for us is seeing all the people that turn up to and participate in our events – that’s the biggest reward!” Brett said.
Brett said the calibre of finalists this year was extremely high and he was frankly surprised by the win, with Run Queensland beating much bigger tourist operators Aquascene Magnetic Island and Big Red Tours to take out the Queensland Government Adventure Tourism Awards.
