Events Calendar

King Island Imperial 20
A unique 32 kilometre coast to coast footrace conducted with other walking and relay events in a friendly, festive atmosphere.

Be a part of the King Island Imperial 20, it's not just another run. Indulge in the truly unique King Island lifestyle, generous hospitality and incredible food.

King Island, situated in Western Bass Strait and only 50 minutes by air from Melbourne and Devonport, is home to one of Australia's unique running events, the King Island Imperial 20, proudly sponsored by SeaRoad Shipping.

The feature event, the 32 km handicapped run, is supported by several other events which include: a 32 km walking race, a 4 x 8 km teams walking relay and a 4 x 8 km running relay.

Each race begins on the Sunday morning at the picturesque seaside hamlet of Naracoopa on the east coast of King Island. The course winds its way across the island to finish on the west coast at the main township of Currie.

The King Island Imperial 20 is more than just a race. Festivities begin on the Saturday with a 3 km warm-up run followed by the Carbo-Feast and Auction of the runners. Following the race on Sunday a Presentation Dinner is held where competitors and visitors have the opportunity to indulge in the finest of King Island beef, cheese and seafood.

The King Island Imperial 20 cannot claim to be the biggest running event in Australia but it does claim to be one of the friendliest and best-organized events on the calendar.

Functions supporting the event held over the March weekend and promoting King Island delights include a Calcutta and Carbo night on the Saturday and a presentation night on the Sunday catering for in excess of 200 people. A feature of the weekend is the Free Willies dash for cash - always a topic of conversation! Entry by donation and all funds donated to a local charity.

The weekend activities consumes the lives of many volunteers for at least 6 months of the year and for that of past race co-ordinator and founder, Robert Cooper, part of his life experiences for the past 8 years. On race day volunteers man drink stations, officiate events, crew ambulances and massage those tight muscles. A great community effort for the 200 odd volunteers!

Well known running fraternity personalities who have competed in King Islands Imperial 20 include :-

Yannis Kouras, ultra marathon legend participated 1994 - 1998

Tania Warwick competed in 1997 (winner of 1995 and 1996 Point to Pinnacle event in Hobart and 1997 New Zealand marathon winner)

Michael McIntyre winner of Imperial 20 in 1996 and 1998. (First Australian to finish 1995 Sydney Marathon. Won the Japanese Marathon in 1996 - 4 days after winning Imperial 20. Runner-up in 1998 Melbourne Marathon.

Other familiar faces of the running fraternity include David Ross, Tim Sloan, Frank Sheulin, Vin McCarthy, and Vic Veterans Association.

Location: King Island

For more information please visit http://www.kingislandrace.org.au or call 03 6461 1219


Name: Vernon Philbey
Website: http://www.kingislandrace.org.au