The 2025 Samson Challenge is underway at Hepburn Park Goonellabah.

This years version of the charity event kicked off on Friday night with the Solo Samson, an individual event, before 113 four person teams tackle nine seperate challenges on Saturday from 7am.

The teams will set off in groups at 15 minute intervals throughout the day, with the last groups tackling their first challenge at 12:15pm.

An annual event, the Samson attracts teams from across Northern NSW and Queensland, some who have been involved in the event for over 10 years, including many local gyms and fitness centres.

The team event sees each team put through nine gruelling challenges, which include a farmers walk with jerry cans, a prowler push, 130 kg truck tyre flip, a burpee challenge, 2x2 km run,1km swim, the sled plug, and a crazy obstacle course to complete.

The quickest team to complete all the challenges wins the coveted Samson Title and bragging rights for the next twelve months.

Teams will compete is a number of categories including:

1. Male Open
2. Female Open
3. Mixed Team - this consists only of 2 males and 2 female
4. Masters Men (all competitors over 40)
5. Masters Women (all competitors over 40)
6. Masters Mixed (all competitors over 40)
7. Junior Boys (all competitors need to be between 16 and 18)
8. Junior Girls (all competitors need to be between 16 and 18)

The Boaty Boys will return to defend their 2024 overall title, but will have several strong teams looking to take away the coveted Overall Team Trophy.

The Samson is a major fundraiser for Our Kids, the charity that raises money to purchase paediatric equipment for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital.

The event has raised over $200,000 for the hospital and continues to be a major contributor each year.

The event has expanded over the years and includes the Samson Kids and the Samson Teen Sprint, which is a 3km run for 12-15 year olds which starts at 9:30am.