Eight year old Sam Thomson is entering the 2.5km Junior Challenge in the upcoming Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival and has raised $485 so far.

Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon (GBRM) is set to take off on Sunday 1st November with a number of events held at the festival. The 2.5km Junior Challenge encourages juniors to join in the fun and compete their little hearts out for a good cause. Age groups included under 14s, under 12s, under 10s and under eights.

Sam Thomson from Port Douglas says “he takes his running seriously.”

“I like being active.  I play AFL and tennis.  We do cross country at school and we have our swimming carnival coming up,” said Sam.

Sam has raised $485 so far and said he hopes to raise more, attributing his success to having a very supportive family.

“My goal is to raise $600,” he said.

The funds raised by participants at the (GBRM) go towards the Run for the Reef Research Fund established as a partnership between the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival and James Cook University. Funds from this year’s event go to two JCU projects aimed at maintaining the health of the reef and its marine life.

[You can donate to Sam's campaign here]


Marathon Festival General Manager, Jess Uhlig said “the number of locals who turned out for the 2.5km Junior Challenge last year was brilliant and we are expecting even more this year.”

Event Ambassador Steve Moneghetti was looking forward to seeing this event and being involved in the presentations. 

“I remember the Junior Challenge from last year – the kid’s efforts were awesome. I was really impressed by their determination and their ability,” Moneghetti said.

Sam has his training strategy worked out right up until the evening before the event.

“I have been running around the block and my plan is to go to bed early on Halloween night (which is October 31st) around 7:00pm or 8:00pm.

“My friend Cash Johnson is entering as well and we will run together and cross the finish line together.  I am very excited about running, I like running,” said an excited Sam who plans to be an athlete or cricket player one day.

Winners of each age group for girls and boys will win trophies and every junior will take home a ribbon.

The 2.5km Junior Challenge can be entered on Saturday 31st of October on the Port Douglas Esplanade or on Sunday 1st November - the day of the Marathon Festival. Age groupings start from Under 8 up to Under 14 for both boys and girls and the event itself starts at 9:00am.

You can help Sam reach is goal of raising $600 here