Cairns JCU Medicine Students Take on 333km Ride for Heart Health

A group of determined James Cook University medical students will swap textbooks for bikes as they prepare to ride – or support – their way from Cairns to Cooktown all in the name of charity.

The QSuper Cardiac Challenge, now a beloved tradition on the Cairns calendar, is a three-day, 333-kilometre cycling journey. Riders traverse winding rainforest roads, climb through the Kuranda Range, roll past the rugged beauty of the Tablelands, and eventually arrive in historic Cooktown on September 21.

But the ride is about much more than just endurance. It’s a major community fundraiser for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, with funds raised for the purchase of vi tal, life-saving cardiac equipment and services for hospitals in the catchment. For people living in some of Australia’s most remote and underserved communities, that equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

This year, JCU’s NQRTH Med Tread team, made up of medical students from the Cairns campus, will be backed by the Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs (NQRTH) and JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry. The students are fundraising, training, and rallying community support – all while balancing the demands of their studies.

Riding for more than the challenge

For Miriam Baird, a fourth-year JCU medicine student, joining the Med Tread team is about giving back while pushing her own limits.

“I was inspired to join because it’s a great way to support local healthcare while also taking on a personal challenge,” Miriam said.

The thought of covering more than 300 kilometres on a bike over three days might daunt most people, Miriam has an impressive endurance background.

“I haven’t done a lot of training recently as I’ve been on holidays, but I competed in IRONMAN Cairns back in June which was the perfect preparation,” she said.

What excites her most is the unique experience of riding in a supported event through some of Far North Queensland’s most iconic scenery.

“I’m looking forward to the sense of community and achieving something meaningful as part of a team, and also riding along the Captain Cook Highway, which is such a beautiful road but usually unsafe without support vehicles – it’s one of the only times outside IRONMAN that you can enjoy it safely.”

For Miriam, the cause is deeply personal.

“Cardiology is the area of medicine I’m most interested in, and during my placements across North Queensland, including Thursday Island, the Torres Strait, Weipa and Cape York, I’ve seen how much cardiac disease affects these communities, which really motivates me to advocate for them,” she said.

So far, Miriam has already raised more than $600 through the support of family, friends, and sponsors.

The power of support

Alexi Cross, a second-year JCU medical student, will be part of the support crew – an equally important role.

“I volunteered with the Cardiac Challenge team last year during my first year of medicine. I was very impressed by the event because it supports two things I am passionate about: healthcare and physical exercise,” Alexi explained.

Because Alexi participated in the Sydney Marathon this year, riding wasn’t an option – but supporting certainly was.

“As a participant in other sporting events, I know that the support crew makes the challenge amazing. They give you that final push when you think you can’t go any further and bring a smile to your face when you are really hurting,” Alexi said.

The Med Tread support team has big plans to keep spirits high.

“We have some very exciting things for the weekend planned. We’re busy preparing costumes, fun music, and some refreshing surprises for the riders. I’m looking forward to seeing my team push themselves further than they thought they could.”

Why it matters

The importance of the Cardiac Challenge goes beyond the kilometres cycled. As NQRTH Program Manager Andrea Muller says, it’s about investing in the health of North Queenslanders.

“We are thrilled to announce that JCU’s Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs and the College of Medicine and Dentistry are once again proudly sponsoring our dedicated medical students and junior doctors to take part in this year’s QSuper Cardiac Challenge,” Andrea said.

“By backing this initiative, we’re not only supporting our next generation of healthcare professionals to take part in charitable activities, but we’re also standing shoulder to shoulder with our community. Together, we’re helping to raise funds that purchase life-saving cardiac equipment and services, making a genuine difference for people’s access to heart health care across North Queensland.”

Trivia, teamwork, and giving back

In the lead-up to the ride, the Med Tread team is hosting a Trivia Night to boost their fundraising. It will be held on Thursday, September 11 from 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) at the Macalister Brewing Company, Smithfield, cost $10 per person. With local cardiologists Dr Gregory Starmer and Dr Anthony Brazzale hosting a special round, plenty of prizes, raffles, and good laughs on offer, it promises to be a fun night out for a very good cause.

“The Hospital Foundation have helped us by setting up our Trybooking so that payments can go straight to our fundraising page, which is amazing,” the students said.

Tickets are available here: Trivia Night for Team Med Tread or you can donate directly to the team here.

The ride begins on Saturday, September 20, with cyclists setting out from Kuranda to Mt Carbine on day one. Day two takes them from Mt Carbine to Lakeland, before the final push from Lakeland to Cooktown on Monday, September 21.

It will be three days of sweat, strength, and community spirit – all fueled by a shared goal: better heart health for Far North Queensland.

For Miriam, Alexi, and the rest of the Med Tread team, it’s about more than kilometres. It’s about making a real difference in the communities they are training to serve as future doctors.