This
was my first ever trail race last year and I was out to prove to myself that I
could run well in Newnes. It was also my first real test against the best
in the Mystery Mountain Challenge. The weekend included many activities, events and was
a relaxed family event.
Saturday
began with the trip to Newnes after morning swimming lessons. We arrived
early to allow the boys to get stuck into the Treasure Hunt, which they did
with eager enthusiasm. While the boys sought their treasure, I was able
to warm-up for my event, the Mystery Mountain Dash, a 1km vertical sky racing
style event taking in 350m of elevation gain.
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| What a view from the top |
We
ran in pairs starting at 1 minute intervals, I was paired with Brendan Davies
and we were first cab of the rank. A short sprint along the firetrail
followed by a hard left onto a single trail that twisted, turned and rose up
the spur that lead up to a cliff that adorned the Wolgan Valley. The trail is
steep, technical and littered with many obstacles such as roots, rocks and
loose dirt. It runs up towards a gap in the cliffs and the last 400m or
so is tough going, requiring rock climbing, hiking and scrambling skills.
Words
that describe the 800m from the firetrail to the top - lung busting, crazy,
amazing and well worth it. I ended up 6th in 13.42 min, roughly 1.30 min behind
Fats, who was absolutely unbelievable on the climb a real highlight watching
the man destroy the mountain. It was a nice chilled atmosphere at the top
with beautiful views, friendly encouragement and plenty of talk of lactic acid.
When Sean arrived at the top we took a group photo and made the descent
back down to the event hub.
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| Group photo! |
In
the 6km Ted English Bolt I was able to relax, looking after the boys, chatting
to other runners, enjoying the fire and a beer.
Kel took it upon herself to run and she did a good job, cruising into the
finish line around 7th overall and 1st female home, her
first career win. This is a symbol of
where her running is going and how much she has improved in the last few
months.
The
trip home was magnificent, the darkness shrouding the cliff line with the
fading light behind was indescribable.
We were able to get home and sorted, ready for another big day of
racing.
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| Yep...amazing! |
Sunday
was a late 10.30am start, a nice opportunity for a sleep in (rarely taken on a
Sunday!). We drove down and assembled at
the front of the Newnes Hotel on the camping ground, which was now full and a
buzz of energy. The marathon had started
and the lead runners were approaching quickly, so quickly that I missed the
planned stop with Brendan. He pushed on
chasing the Fatman who was leading the way as he had done the day before.
After
our warm-up it was time to race, I had caught up with an old uni mate Dave, who
was running his first trail race, dejavu. At the start line I placed myself
front and centre, knowing what would be required to get to the stepping stones
that cross the river before the mass of 300 odd runners.
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| Kel came in 6th in the female field and 38th overall |
We
flew along the following single track, faster than I expected and I was hoping
to drop my rivals but to their credit they ran with me stride for stride. The course has several wash out sections with
stairs that I knew would slow the pace and I tried to use these to push off and
away, but as we came into the first noticeable climb, Mark shot away
impressively.
Adrian
and I ran together for a while and he moved away while I recovered for a few
hundred metres. I kept him in sight
right up to the tunnel, I was now moving well after going through a rougher
patch. I knew I had a break in the
tunnel and used this opportunity to get my heart rate down, breathing
controlled and nutrition sorted. I was
feeling good and the tunnel allowed me to compose myself, I knew I’d have to
fly to catch up and hold of 4th place who was now breathing down my
neck.
The
section from the tunnel to the junction went to plan. I ran well over the ridge and smashed the
downhill as hard as I could, I knew if I was going to make up time it would be
here. I arrived at the junction and
hadn’t caught a glimpse of 1st or 2nd, so I focused on
the plan to run the last 7km sub 30min.
I had 4th behind me and decided to
put on one last effort. I ran the last
4km in sub 3.50 pace and flirted with “blowing up”, as I had all race. Moving into the last 2km I knew I was safely
in 3rd and was now pushing into the finish hoping to catch one of
the lead runners.
As I crossed the stones I kept the hammer down to the finish, I ran past Fats and Mick Donges, who were cooling down after their top performances in the marathon, and at this point the look on my face said how I was travelling. I ran into the finish and crossed the line 3rd overall in 93.09 (which was over 9 minutes quicker than the old course record), redemption, well this was 35 minutes and 27 places better than last year, so yes this chapter is closed.
After
I finished I was joined by the boys and chatted to others about the run,
everyone was of the same opinion, amazing.
Brendan and I were eagerly waiting for Kel to finish, which she did strongly,
running 2:03 placing 6th female and 38th overall, another
excellent performance. I can’t wait to
see her progress further in the coming months.
Finally
the beers flowed, it was good to be able to have a beer or two, relax and enjoy
the environment, and Newnes in the Wolgan Valley of NSW is a pretty good place
to do it. The preso was as usual a prize
fest, I cleaned up two 6 packs and Kel a Hammer pack, so no complaining
here. It was also good to see Sean and
Mel of Mountain Sports enjoying what they have created and what I believe will
become an iconic Australian trail event each year The Glow Worm Tunnel Trail
Running Weekend in June.
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| Beer, a trophy that doesn't require dusting |
I
am also pleased to announce that as of this weekend, I am an ambassador for
Mountain Sports. I am proud to be involved
with the team and will be promoting trail running and being active with them as
much as I possibly can.
