Skyrunning is making its debut in NSW this coming weekend in the
unique and magnificent Blue Mountains National Park, World Heritage Listed
Grose Valley. Many runners from all across Australia and New Zealand will meet
at Blackheath to participate in the 6th installment of the Oceania
Skyrunning Series. With two events, a 68km Ultra and a 23km Skyrace on offer. The Hounslow Classic is shaping up to becoming
a bucket-list trail running event for the future.
The course is as tough and challenging as you will get in Australia.
Technical, rugged, varied, steep, full of stairs and set in one the most beautiful
parts of Australia. The long course will be a very difficult race with several
steep and relentless climbs and descents and also offers tricky single track
along the cliffs for runners to link these climbs together. Although it is now
68km the 17hr cut off will loom ominous for a large contingent of the field and
the return journey for runners retracing their steps will be a massive mental
and physical challenge. The shorter
option offers 23km of pure trail running bliss, the whole course bar 1km is single
track with an absolute beast of a climb to finish. While it is less in distance
it will test all involved to their limits.
So with 100s of budding participants who is who in the pointy end of
the field? With a similar feel to the first Buffalo Stampede, the depth of
local talent will be on show across both days of the weekend.
Hounslow
Classic Ultra Skymarathon
Mens
A deep field and on a tough course there
will be many twists across the day.
Favourites
Ben Duffus is coming in hot off a win at the Coastal High 50 last month and
appears to have recaptured his 2014 form where he went on to claim 3rd
at the World Skyrunning Champs in the French Alps. He is smart, patient and
built for climbing so he is the favorite for the win.
Clarke McClymont is going to take some beating in this race. It has his skillset
written all over it and with a solid win at GNW100 last month, Clarke is in
good form. He loves the tough grind and there is a lot of this course that will
play to him.
Grant Guise is also a clever and talented mountain runner. He will enjoy the
technical terrain and with a massive year already he will be pushing the front
of the podium. The Kiwi runner is reported to have brought an investment in St
John First Aid to ensure optimal care if the dreaded snake bite occurs.
Contenders
Tom Brazier is all class and with a break after a busy first half of the year
will be looking for another strong performance. Look for Tom late in the race
to mop up those who went out too hard.
Marty Lukes ran super well at Buffalo and has the pedigree to win this race out
right. If he can run as well as in April he may just do that.
Andy Lee the local favorite of many. Andy trains the house down and has been
on course a lot. He will use this time to his advantage and this could be his
run of the year.
Ewan Horsburgh is coming off GNW100 (miler) and the win. He is very good on this
type of terrain and will act as a sweep for those struggling up front.
John Winsbry has performed well all year on the Skyrunning circuit. He is vastly
experienced and a fierce competitor and will run well on the day.
Wildcards
A race like this offers the likes of Konrad Legge, Darren
Purcell, Ian Gallagher, Tom Barkowski, Rob Sharpe, Christian Warren
and Matt Bixley the chance to show
their wares if they run well on the day.
Womens
The womens field is equally as strong and
the race will just as competitive.
Favourites
Beth Cardelli is familiar with the course, as consistent as you could ask for and
with the local experience should go one place better than at the Buffalo
Stampede in April. She will ensure there is plenty left to come home strongly.
Jo Johanson is the big threat to Beth for the win. A meare 15min separated them
in April and I have the feeling it will be just as close here too. Jo will
enjoy the technical nature of the course and don’t be surprised if she lifts
the trophy.
Contenders
Maggie Jones is in form and has been training well on course. She will surprise
many and I feel will be on the podium come Saturday afternoon.
Lucy Bartholomew is coming off plenty of quality running in Europe and if she can
use this experience on race day will be close to the front.
Lou Clifton is coming of a strong run at the TNF50 in May. She has been training
well and will also be in for a good showing on familiar trails.
Wildcards
Others that will be around the front come the end of the race will
be Jess Siegle, Anne Mackie, Bryony
McConnell and Caroline Gavin.
Hounslow
Classic Skyrace
Womens
Favorite
Ruby Muir the Kiwi superstar is returning to Australia and will be very
difficult to beat on terrain that will suit her. She is a gun of the highest
standard and will be flying around the Grose.
Contenders
Gretel Fortmann is coming of a series of crazy mountain adventures and will be very
difficult to beat in this type of race. She will bring it home strongly on the
final climb and but can she run well enough to knock Ruby off?
Justine Medin has been strong all year in Skyrunning and with plenty of course
time and with fresh legs she will be a big chance for the podium.
Wildcards
There will be a few surprises no doubt and with an open field there
is going to be a few ladies pushing the front, don’t be surprised to see Reegan Ellis come back strong after
having her first child in the last year.
Mens
Favourites
Jono O’Loughlin will be very tough over the 23km. He is in form for 2015, loves the
tough trails and climbs of the Blue Mountains and will run like a beast. Good
luck dragging up the climb with him at the end.
Mick Donges is as technically gifted runner as you will find. He is in good
form after a European trip and some good local races. Mick will be there when
it matters the most.
Contenders
Aaron Knight has burst onto the scene and is taking to the trails like a
natural. He will enjoy the course and with a big climb to finish will be hard
to hold off.
Scott Hawker is coming back from injury but has been running well in training.
Of the Kiwi runners he is the only one to be snake acclimatised so his
knowledge will be sought after by his fellow countrymen.
Kristian Day is another of the NZ crew and with some solid results under his
belt will be very much around the front pack. How fairs on the unfamiliar
Aussie trails could well be the answer to his result.
Wildcards
With a strong local contingent there are plenty of runners waiting
to show how well they can run on these crazy trails. Shayne Bunting, Ben Artup
(unofficial King of the Grose), Darrel
Nelson and Dirk Streefkerk will
all be pushing the front end along.
So who will be the first ever winner of a race in the Grose
Valley??? By 4pm on Saturday we should know!
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