MORE THAN 1000 cyclists flocked to Lancefield Park at the weekend to experience the town’s annual Dirty Docker Festival where beautiful conditions made for a great atmosphere.
The multi-day cycling and running extravaganza, started by former professional cyclist Mitch Docker back in 2024, drew record crowds and some of the most daring athletes from near and far.
Kicking off on Saturday with the cross country and the cyclocross event ‘Cross Vegas’, Docker said conditions were “muddy as hell” as hundreds of competitors attacked the wet and wild course adorned with water hazards and other obstacles.
But Docker said the twilight ‘Beer Mile’ was the highlight for many and expects it to be “the tip of the cap” going forward.
“You’re running a mile drinking a beer every 400 metres, and next think you know, you’ve got the band kicking off,” he said.
“That’s just the perfect blend of sporting during the day and then the nighttime activities.”
Live music and food trucks kept the 150-plus campers who stayed in the park overnight happy, and welcomed a few hundred more locals in who just wanted to get a feel for the festival without competing.
Sunday’s ‘Cobawsome’ ride capped off the event where 140 participants battled the “pint-sized” ride around 140km of Lancefield and the surrounding area.
The event has excited locals and visitors alike and welcomed some massive names to the small country town. Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, world-class riders Grace Brown and Simon Gerrans as well as Olympic swimming champion Mack Horton have graced the event over its three-year history.
Docker said he was pleased with how the event is progressing year on year, and intends to keep the grassroots feel.
“Next year we’ll be just tightening the edges, keeping that same vibe, bringing something new with new bands and a slightly different route,” he said.
“But really, [we’re] looking at what people loved and reproducing that.”
