Sign in Subscribe

Primary school pedal prix team gets back on track

Murray Bridge North School students have joined back in with the nation’s biggest human-powered vehicle race, the Australian International Pedal Prix, in 2023.

Peri Strathearn

Peri Strathearn

— 3 min read
Primary school pedal prix team gets back on track

Locals support locals – that’s why this recent post is now free to read. Your support can help Murray Bridge News tell important local stories. Subscribe today.

Competing at their first Murray Bridge pedal prix are Logan Stutley, Liam Amos-Smith, Matilda Lynch, Ava Thiele and Levi Amos-Smith, with team manager Ruth Stutley. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Thousands have crammed Murray Bridge’s Sturt Reserve for the Australian International Pedal Prix over the weekend – including, for the first time since 2019, racers from primary schools.

Murray Bridge North School’s pedal prix team was one of 10 invited to compete at the 24-hour event, having achieved good results over the rest of the season.

That was huge for the kids who had worked all year for the chance to race on their home track, team manager Ruth Stutley said.

“Last year primary schools weren’t invited … we finished second and our guys weren’t invited here,” she said.

“They were distraught.

“Our aim (this year) was to get back here.”

A North School student gives a teammate a push-start coming out of the pits. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Ability levels varied among the year 4-6 students, she said – “some kids will do three laps, some kids will do hours”.

But all had been chafing at the bit for a chance to do their bit for the team.

Each encouraged the others every time a rider hopped into or out of the school’s old black trike: “you’ve got this” or “you’re doing amazing”.

Murray Bridge High School’s Rebecca Mitchell, Shanae Hamilton, Mikaela Watts, Tyler Bartlett, Seth Mayhew, Nathan Schulz, Makaylah Cooper, Andrew Charters and Jayden Waterman settle in. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

The high schoolers in the tent next door were available to help out, too, and to lend the use of their generator and company during the long night.

“We’re pretty lucky to have this here, on our home turf,” Ms Stutley said.

“The kids see that coming from Murray Bridge doesn’t mean you can’t do something.

“It’s so good for them to finally get their chance.”

Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley waves trikes including Unity College’s Bunyip off the start line at the 2023 pedal prix. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Race results

Unity College took home bragging rights among Murray Bridge’s schools at this year’s pedal prix after its top trike finished in 33rd position overall.

  • Bunyip (Unity College): 33rd overall, 9th in category S3
  • MBHS 1 (Murray Bridge High School): 50th overall, 15th in category S3
  • Road Runner (Unity College): 76th overall, 12th in category S2
  • Minnie Mouse (Unity College): 93rd overall, 31st in category S3
  • MBHS 2 (Murray Bridge High School): 132nd overall, 42nd in category S3
  • Sylvester (Unity College): 141st overall, 43rd in category S3
  • The Beast (Murray Bridge North School): 146th overall, 7th in category S1

For more race results, visit ahpvss.com/event-results.

Subscribe now

Read more