The Pomona King of the Mountain Festival held in the Noosa Hinterland town of Pomona, is an all-day fun filled event for the whole family, climaxing with the Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge where competitors run up the face of Mount Cooroora.

The festival program includes a 3km Family Fun Run, Heritage Markets, the Primary School Relay, Tug O War (for Primary School Children and Corporate Tug O War for local businesses & sports clubs), live music on the Pomona IGA stage (bands to be confirmed), buskers, amusement rides, side show alley and a relaxing food court area… plus more.

The main race will be held at 2.30pm, The Bendigo Bank International Mountain Challenge, is a steep, almost vertical climb up the mountain, 4.2km race to the top of the mountain and back.

Entrants come from all over Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim and the United Kingdom, with a strong rivalry between Australia and New Zealand participants.

Runners start from the centre of the Noosa hinterland township of Pomona and head bush towards Mount Cooroora. A set of low hills confronts runners before they take on the mountain track which is little more than a goat track.

The return down the mountain requires strength, agility, a good sense of balance and an immunity to fear.