BRENDAN LINES
FIRE, mud, sand and water, even barbed wire, greeted 2000 eager competitors who run, crawled and climbed over a 10km course littered with 30 military-inspired obstacles for the return of True Grit at Caudo Vineyard on May 8.
The Cadell-based winery welcomed back the event after a year off, continuing what is now an eight-year association with the event.
A small contingent of elite competitors was the first wave to leave at 8.30am.
True Grit owner Courtney Butler said competitors were keen to put their fitness to the test.
“Competitors are really wanting it after having a year off,” she said. “After COVID, after everything that was thrown at them in 2020, the vibe has been great and people are pumped.
“They’re itching to put their COVID lockdown fitness regimes to the test.”
Ms Butler said the Riverland is among some of the unique True Grit settings across the country.
“Each place we go to is unique,” she said.
“But obviously here the backdrop of the river is just absolutely stunning, and Caudo vineyards brings the atmosphere with its picturesque location.”
Near 200 campers packed into the river-front corner of the 1100-acre property at Caudo over two days.
Butler, with her partner, took over True Grit in July 2020 amid the pandemic and the latter arrival of the couple’s new-born daughter.
Since taking over, the couple has toured the event across the country, navigating COVID travel bubbles, to WA and NSW to come to the Riverland.
Events like True Grit have brought much-needed stimulus to local businesses.
“What we’re aiming for is to utilise the local businesses around the Riverland in particular,” Ms Butler said.
“We feel that even though it was only our first year running the Riverland event as the new owners, that we’re building a really strong team around us allowing us to put on the best event possible.
“Not only for participants to enjoy, but for the surrounding community to benefit from as well.”
True Grit relies on a support crew of approximately 200, which Butler says “we try to hire local” as much as possible. True Grit employed the services of the Waikerie Men’s Shed as car park attendants at the event.
Ryan Grieger, of Swan Reach, placed first in the elite class, finishing the course in a time of 56.10 minutes.