THE King of the Mountain was an iconic race that saw participants carry wheat bags more than 60 kilograms in weight up the smallest mountain in the world.
The iconic climb in Wycheproof has been immortalised in a street art piece by Kyle Torney from Nacho Station, a collective of graffiti and mural artists from Central Victoria.
Bakery on Broadway co-owner and member of the Wycheproof Traders Group Ann Durie said the art installation featured two participants who won the race multiple times.
They are Ann White, who was originally from Wycheproof, and Greg Dax, a visitor to the region.
The event ran annually from 1978 to 1988.
“The artwork recognises the history of the iconic event,” Ms Durie said.
Ms Durie said the one kilometre course started at the park, running to High Street then left into Mount Street, with the final 150 metres being uphill to the peak of Mount Wycheproof.
In addition to this, competitors carried a 63.5kg bag of wheat on their back.
“It’s pretty tough, imagine carrying that big bag of wheat (up the mountain),” Ms Durie said.
The artwork forms part of Buloke Shire Council’s Brightening Broadway Project.
The project was supported by the Victorian Government.
Other key projects include wetlands and a walking trail, and the development of the Wycheproof Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Masterplan.
Wycheproof is among other the Buloke shire towns such as Charlton, Birchip, Donald and Sea Lake which are seeing their streets being transformed.
