THE twelfth Washpool World Heritage Trail Run was held on Sunday 28 March.

Hosted for the first time by Coffs Trail Runners the trail running event featured a 9km, 25km and 50km distance in Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Park, west of Grafton.

While the ominous weather forecast may have deterred some, a total of 122 runners took on the rain and mud in a fantastic celebration of community running.

Race Director Keelan Birch spoke of the success of the event.

“Despite the weather forecast, people travelled as far south as Sydney, as north as Brisbane and as west as Narrabri for the run.

“It was fantastic to proceed with the community event despite covid-19 and floods threatening.

“Coffs Trail Runners were strongly featured across all distances and on the podium.

“The trail running community continues to grow,” Keelan said.

Top performing Coffs Trail Runners include Clare Palmer (1st 50km female), Annabelle Swainston (2nd 50km female), Dan Stein (1st 50km male), Troy Lonergan (2nd 50km male), Eliza Dunn (1st 25km female), Laura Burke (3rd 25km male) and father/son duo Adam and Tim Wilson (3rd 9km male).

Event organisers extended a special thankyou to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

They continue to be a fantastic supporter of this event and the Coffs Trail Runners community.

Big thanks also went to volunteers Steel Beveridge and Lyn Fulton (course setting and general event oversight), Sam Birch (highway checkpoint 50km extraordinaire), Peter Birch (35km sweeper), Janie Mahoney and Ann Drew (9-35km sweepers) and Steve Thompson (timing).