On Friday at 10am we were informed of the inevitable news that the
Kanangra 50 Trail Ultra had been cancelled for 2013. While this was very
disappointing personally, the issues affecting NSW and in particular the Greater
Blue Mountain's communities from Lithgow to Yellowrock were far more important
and offer much concern.
Not only is the area a beautiful part of Australia, an area I love
training in, it is also the community in which I teach and I have many close
friends that reside there. I know of several people deeply affected by the
fires, losing their homes or that of family members and those who have been
partially relocated with no end in sight for now. The terror in the eyes of those
living close to the fire at Lithgow in particular will remain with me for a long
time. The feeling on Thursday was that of shock, with a massive ploom of
smoke filling the sky above Lithgow. On Friday is was calm and eerie with a
red sky and thick smoke lingering across town stretching all the way to
Bathurst.
I can only hope that this week brings better news and respite for the
RFS battling to control these fires but I am not confident with high
temperatures predicted early in the week. I don't know what my arrival at
work will bring tomorrow but I know that our school community will support the
victims of the fires in any way, the same as those throughout other communities
in the mountains.
There will be more races and even though my whole year has been aiming
towards Kanangra I am not too disappointed. I will now throw my all at
the Carcoar Cup 60km in 2 weeks aiming to run a fast competitive ultra, as I
had planned for the weekend. I know the running community is strong and
will help in anyway possible, below are a few links to help if you
can:
No comments:
Post a Comment