THE registration day for the 2013 Orange Eight Day Games is tomorrow and already the signs ahead of this year’s event point towards one of the most intriguing in its 37-year history.
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Breaking through for his maiden win in his ninth campaign in 2012, reigning king Anthony Wharton will return in the attempt to win back-to-back crowns.
He’ll have to contend with Andrew Marsh, a multiple king winner, and Mitch Williamson.
Perennial Queen contenders Nicole Williamson and Cathy Johnson are again expected to duke it out over the course of the 2013 event, while Jess Marsh has pushed the duo in recent years.
All three will return.
Eight Day Games secretary Jason Lyne was looking forward to this year’s event, starting with registrations today from 9am at the Orange Visitor Information Centre.
He says the success of the concept can be largely put down to the “camaraderie built up over a lot of years.”
“We’ve got a lot of people that come back to do it again and again,” Lyne said, with registrations capped at 30 men and 30 women.
“It’s just a good fun week. Everyone gets on really well. It’s very supportive. Fitness doesn’t matter, we’ve got the super fit to the last time they’ve exercised being the last time they competed in the Eight Day Games last year.
“Fitness isn’t everything. It’s about trying sports you’d never normally think about doing.”
One of those people who continues to come back is Rosanne Osborne.
Osborne will compete in her 10th Eight Day Games when they kick off in November and this year she’ll do it alongside her son, Zac Osborne-Gillette.
Whether or not Zac wants to compete alongside of or a long way in front of his mother is the big question.
“He wants to compete against me and beat me,” Osborne laughed.
“I’ve got to beat him in one event only.
“It’s just really enjoyable.”
The first event of this year’s games is at Integra, with the gym’s commando course and dam set to be utilised.
Eight Day Game publicity officer David Howe said competing in different sports was the attraction.
“They ranging from fairly athletic events like a three kilometre run to croquet and clay target shooting,” he said.
“There’s mystery events people won’t find out about until they arrive at the venue for the event.
“You don’t have to win events to win the King. Jono Punch won it a couple of years ago by being consistent. He won it without winning an event.”
The 2013 Eight Day Games begin on November 16.