Sutherland Shire female team, the Glenbrookers, dominated the WildEndurance challenge, convincingly winning the 100km cross country event in the Blue Mountains last weekend.

The team, comprising Sarah Highfield, Fiona Bedford and Simone Hayes, completed the 100km course in 18 hours 42 minutes.

All teams endured gruelling conditions with the event track resembling a swamp in many parts and competitors having to cross creeks in waist deep water after torrential rain fell throughout the event. 

Not only did The Glenbrookers win the 100km event by three hours, but they were two minutes faster at the 50km than the winning 50km team entry.

“It was a phenomenal performance by the girls under the conditions,” said event manager, Sarah Williams.

“It was easily the worse conditions we’ve ever faced and it was a massive effort for the teams to complete the event.

“Local runners, who are experienced with the event route, said they had never seen conditions this bad. It was like a swamp in several areas while the competitors were in waist deep water at Bedford Creek.”

Competitors left Dunphys Creek in Megalong Valley on Saturday morning under threatening skies, and it wasn’ t too long before the heavy rain fell.

Conducted by The Wilderness Society, the event attracted over 340 competitors and raised almost $150,000. 

Part of the monies raised will go to Science for Wildlife to track and save koalas in the Blue Mountains.

The money will assist with the purchase of GPS tracking equipment and collars plus the training of koala detection dogs.

wildendurance.gofundraise.com.au