Perched precariously on oversized wheels, competitors tested their mettle through races that might not have gone ahead thanks to a deluge of rain overnight.

Organiser Di Sullivan said at 3am Saturday morning the rain began pouring down, and she was worried thye would have to cancel.

“We did have to cancel once years ago and it broke our hearts, so we waited and about 9.30am it started to clear,” she said.

A few contingency plans later, and to their surprise the races were concluded half an hour ahead of schedule.

“We’re dumbfounded, we had a wonderful day’s racing,” she said.

In between short, sharp rain showers that sporadically interrupted the racing schedule, Queensland competitor Brett Richardson and Poatina competitor Walter Abetz stood under the shelter of a shop window.

Despite wearing distinctly different competition uniforms, both were in the races: Mr Richardson a 30-year competitive veteran, while Mr Abetz was enjoying just his third ride on a pennyfarthing.

The ultimate national race was seized by Sydney rider James Fowler – his fourth win in years of competing.