THE region’s finest firefighting athletes will be on show this weekend, as Eldorado hosts CFA District 23’s running championships on Sunday.

Both junior and senior events will return to Eldorado’s Centennial Park from 9am, as the championship season hits the mid-way point in the lead-up to the state rural championships at Mooroopna later this month.

As many as 10 brigades from across the North East are expected to be represented in senior events, while eight brigades from across District 24 (Wodonga and Alpine), District 23 (Wangaratta and Mansfield) and District 22 (Shepparton) are poised to contest the junior offerings.

Eldorado local and District 23 championship committee deputy state delegate Peter Brick said both Eldorado and Springhurst brigades were well-positioned to perform strongly as the event calendar ramps up.

Springhurst took out the junior and senior titles at the 2022 state championships, while Eldorado was the state’s big improver last year, with its senior A team finishing second on aggregate in 2023.

Mr Brick said while Eldorado’s 11-15-year-old juniors were coming off a victory at last week’s District 24 championships held at Gapsted, more needed to be done to push juniors through the program.

He said scheduling clashes with other local sports clubs and leagues meant many would-be competitors had ceased their participation.

“Both brigades (Springhurst and Eldorado) have got very strong teams,” he said.

“The one area we’re both lacking is we both need juniors, the 11-15-year-olds – it’s very hard to recruit those for the short competition period.

“It’s something we’ll probably have to do – we’ll have to go to a few of them (the leagues) and say that it’s only for a short period and they (the kids) will be building teamwork skills anyway.

“We’re trying to build the future of firefighters and try and get them some understanding, but it’s definitely a problem and it’s not just Eldorado and Springhurst, it’s right across the state I think.”

A $5 entry fee will apply for adults attending Sunday’s competitions, while those under 16 can enter for free.

Food will be available throughout the day, with North Wangaratta Football Netball Club catering the event.

“We hope to see spectators there and if anyone’s interested then talk to one of the teams to see if they want to run,” Mr Brick said.

“I think we picked up one new recruit last weekend (at Gapsted).

“It’s a good family day really.”