A slightly earlier start time for 2025 you would think could mean faster 10k times in this year’s Wellness Embodied Cairns 10. But the 95% humidity at 6:30am will mean it’s still a stinker and tough conditions, even for those running the shortest distance of the day.

In the women’s field, both 1st and 2nd from 2024 line up again with Izzy Dix looking to make it three in a row and Erika Koelman hoping to make up the 40 seconds she was behind Izzy last year. Then the rest of the women’s field is wide open with many others more than able to challenge Izzy and Erika. It’s sure to be a fast and exciting race and is by far the biggest field of the day.

In the men’s, not a single top 10 10k runner from 2024 will line up so we are guaranteed a new 2025 champion. Lookout for the likes of Leo Schoepflin and Kurt Hodgman to take up the running at the front. And then a wave of others who could take out the win on Sunday. You could throw a blanket over this field. But one thing is for sure…it’s going to be close!