Rolling together: Mareeba veterans boost wellness through wheelbarrow racing

The unique event takes place annually each May over the course of three days and challenges individuals and teams of all ages to race a wheelbarrow 140 kilometres from Mareeba to Chillagoe. 

The Sub Branch’s decision to enter the one-of-a-kind endeavour, not only formed the 10-person Dad’s Army Wheelbarrow Race Team, which has participated every year since, but has also encouraged physical activity and camaraderie amongst the Far Northern Queensland veterans.  

Image: Mareeba Shire Council | Cairns RSL Sub Branch member Franz Thezan (centre) and the rest of Dad's Army 2024 race team.

Peter Gerdes, who has raced every year with Dad’s Army, says the team has come a long way since their first event, but their desire to enter was inspired from prioritising their physical health. 

“Twelve months prior to our first race in 2013, a group of us joined our local gym – Essential Fitness to improve our fitness and increase our general activity levels,” Peter explains.  

“After months of exercising, we were all feeling really good, and it was Sub Branch member Ron Philp who said we should take part in the community event. Not fully understanding what we were getting ourselves into, we were all keen for the challenge.”  

The gym, along with local nurse Tanya Barker RN and exercise physiologist Samantha Musso, rallied behind the idea, providing physical support for the veterans along the way. To complete the 140 kilometre race, the team alternates who pushes the wheelbarrow and the runners jump in and out of their moving coaster bus in turn.   

Image: Mareeba Shire Council | Ivan Sayed hands off wheelbarrow to Peter Gerdes during the Great Wheelbarrow Race 2024.

“The first race we did was pretty horrendous,” Peter says with a chuckle.  

“We didn’t realise we had to run in order to finish in the time requirement, so it became a steep learning curve pretty quickly.” 

It may have been a slower start for Dad’s Army, but it didn’t take long before the team became a well-oiled machine. This year particularly, the group completed the race in just over 15 hours with only eight on their team, two less than usual.  

“Our oldest member is 87 years old and our youngest is 63 years old,” Peter explains. 

“We have developed a strategy where we sprint with the barrow for 20 seconds and then switch out, so each of us are out there sprinting every three minutes.” 

To date, Dad’s Army is the only group in the 55-and-older category, but Peter and the rest of the team are hoping to change that. 

“We hope to inspire other Sub Branches to form a team and join in on the fun because it’s such a proud moment to not only be able to do it yourself but to see your teammates do it too,” Peter says. 

“We are all members of the gym and exercise three times a week together year-round. An exercise physiologist also runs a program for us on two of the days, which is funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It’s great training for the race, but beyond that, it helps our health overall.” 

Image: Mareeba Shire Council | Dad’s Army 2024 race team

The mateship goes beyond Mareeba RSL Sub Branch as well, Dad’s Army has one teammate from Cairns RSL Sub Branch and another from Townsville RSL Sub Branch. 

“We have Army, Navy and Air Force vets on the team and the camaraderie and support is just great, but it’s also a fun rivalry and banter too,” Peter says. 
 
Dad’s Army also plans social events for the team and keeps busy by giving back to the community.  

“After covering our costs to enter and compete in the race, we give back to Mareeba Hospital,” Peter explains.   

“The funds we donate go towards any medical equipment they’re needing. This year we raised $3,000 and in past years we have raised upwards of $6,000.”   

“I think Dad’s Army proves that you are never too old to do anything. If you do a bit of exercise and keep yourself going you can achieve great things.”