Hail, fallen trees and blackouts couldn't stop Alice Springs Masters Games
About 1,800 people registered to compete in more than 20 sports for the Alice Springs Masters Games. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)
The skies opened, trees fell and sporting competitions ground to a halt, but the spirit of the Alice Springs Masters Games proved difficult to dampen as it marked its 40th anniversary amid rain, hail and destructive winds.
The first hailstones fell on Friday last week, a day before the Games began, and by Monday a destructive storm had swept through the town, bringing down powerlines, damaging homes and leaving about 9,000 properties without electricity.
The weather forced the cancellation of Tuesday's golf competition and Wednesday's street party was moved indoors to the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Tim Henderson says his wife won six gold medals in swimming events at this year's Games. (ABC Alice Springs: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)
Among the 1,800 athletes competing in more than 20 sports over the week was Masters veteran Tim Henderson, who said he had never experienced an event quite like it.
"Extraordinary weather, you know — massive hailstones and really strong winds and pulling down lots of trees," he said.
"So the Tuesday round was cancelled. I think I spent most of the day with the chainsaw."
Hail the size of golf balls fell at Lyndavale Station south west of Alice Springs. (Supplied: Ross Stanes)
Another storm interrupted Wednesday's golf competition for about an hour, but the conditions on the green were fairer on Thursday.
The community came together to clear the golf course. (ABC Alice Springs: Chris Murrkarany Fitzpatrick)
Henderson said competitors were determined to carry on.
"You want to try and keep it going if you can — it's such a great event," he said.
"It just brings a whole load of people into town [who] have a great time and realise how amazing Alice is."
Long-time competitor Margaret Roberts was a teacher in remote Northern Territory communities. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)
More than medals
For veteran swimmer Margaret Roberts, who turns 89 next month, the weather brought a different kind of challenge.
"The wind was blowing and the next thing ice started coming in as well," she said.
Roberts feared the swimming events would be cancelled, but organisers managed to get them back underway.
Andrew Hogg competed in several running events, including a half marathon and two 6-kilometre trail races. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)
Gosford athlete Andrew Hogg, who claimed victory in the Masters Mile on Wednesday, said the response from residents to the storms left an impression.
"Everybody out on the streets with chainsaws, saws," he said.
"If anybody's got any question about Alice and the community, they just got to see what happened on Monday night."
Trees pulled down powerlines across Alice Springs after Monday's severe storm. (ABC Alice Springs: Xavier Martin)
As the Games draw to a close, competitors are reflecting on a week defined as much by resilience and community spirit as by sporting achievements.
For Roberts, who has been competing for decades, the event has always been about friendship, competition and staying active.
"Keep moving," she said.
"Don't sit down and rock."
After a week spent stopping, recovering and starting again, her advice seems fitting.
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