THE BLISTER
The Magazine for the Sydney Striders Running Club Established 1980
Issue 122
January — April 2014
Celebrating 30 Years of the
Six Foot Track Marathon
On Track: Edita Grinbergs
and Lachlan Cooper are
National Champions
Plus: Race reports on the New
York Marathon, Chicago, TGV,
Orange, Bolder Boulder, and
much, much more!
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BLISTER CO-EDITORS
Amy Cheung and Debi Thornton
CLUB PRESIDENT
Joe Degabriele
VICE PRESIDENT
Jo Cowan
SECRETARY
PRESIDENT’S DESK
Kerry Ross
TREASURER
Lynn Herrison
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
COORDINATOR
Pauline Evans
10KM SERIES RACE DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
James Masters
STa
STaRS/CALENDAR COORDINATOR
Jo Cowan
UNIFORMS
Maria Yiasemides
Hi Striders
2014 is off and running! As I get older and slower it
seems the younger runners get faster and faster.
The club played a larger coordinating role in the Six
Foot Track which saw over 860 runners complete the
course within the 7 hour limit with only 6 DNFs. A big
thank you to John Bowe and the team, especially
Colin Jetha, David Bray, Bruce Graham and Greg
Puttick, leading a team of 30 volunteers in addition
to almost 200 members from the NSW Rural Fire
Service.
JUNIORS COORDINATORS
Tony Wong and Caroline Yarnell
ANSW COORDINATOR
Jo Cowan
SUPER SERIES COORDINATOR
COORDINATOR
April Palmerlee
RESULTS AND TIMING
Paul Hannell
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Elizabeth Huband and Nigel Huband
SGT-AT-ARMS
David Bray
SPECIAL PROJECTS
PROJECTS
Bruce Graham
On the running side, many Striders participated in
our Six Foot Training Group on trails, while on the
road, the TomTom Marathon Training Group (MTG) has develop a new
group of runners lining up for their first Marathon in Canberra; Striders
will also be providing pacers to the Canberra Running Festival.
On the track the Juniors are the stars with two National Champions (Edita
Grinbergs and Lachlan Cooper) and five State Champions, an outstanding
performance from our growing band of young members (85 members).
We are deep into the planning of the May Awards Celebration Party with
an internationally recognised speaker, Sonia O’Sullivan and our new Social
co-ordinators Liz and Nigel Huband working hard to make the night memorable and fun.
Staying in touch can be difficult across the group but the Sydney Striders
Facebook page is building a good following with about half of the club
joining in (NB—it is a closed Members Only page). A link to the page is
available on our website. In future we will use the page to organise runners travelling to events to compete and share more information.
On a final note, make an effort to wear your Striders gear with pride – our
distinctive colours can be worn with pride as part of Sydney’s premier
road running club – it makes so much easier to identify fellow club members at events and catch up with each other.
Go Striders!
Joe
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Contents
Page
30 Years of the Six foot track marathon 1984 - 2014
John Bowe
4
Striders @ the SIX FOOT TRACK MARATHON 2014
Stefica Key
11
Sonia O’ Sullivan
Sullivan—
—Exciting Guest Speaker
Jo Cowan and John Bowe
12
ANSW Winter Racing
Jo Cowan
15
Upcoming 10km Striders Races and other races
April Palmerlee
15
Beginner’s Foot
Hailey Maxwell
16
New York City Marathon 2013
George Herrison
18
BolderBOULDER
Melanie Zeppel
19
Chicago Marathon 2013
Ginta Viliunas
20
Orange Running Festival
Linda Bushell
22
Mojo, Interrupted
Rachael McKinney
23
The North Face Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise (TGV)
Stefica Key
24
Juniors' Corner
Tony Wong
26
Get down and give me 10!
Greg Constantine
29
TomTom MTG Corner
Tony Kellner
30
The Super Series
April Palmerlee
31
Did you know...
Lisa Bovill and Shika Raju
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The Blister is published three times per year by Sydney Striders Road Runner’s Club, Inc.
Address: PO Box R1227, Royal Exchange, Sydney NSW 1225, Australia
Website: www.sydneystriders.org.au
Opinions published in this journal, whether expressed by members or non-members, do not necessarily represent the official
policy of the club.
Acknowledgements: Cover photo by Stefica Key. Additional photos by various Striders.
Sydney Striders Juniors: The Club was set up to encourage young runners to train and compete as a group. The training sessions take the form of group training rather than personal coaching. We train on Monday nights at the Sydney Academy of
Sport at Narrabeen, and Thursday nights at North Steyne, with members of all ages and standards: from 8-year-olds to HSCaged, from State Representatives to those keeping fit.
Please contact us via email at juniors@sydneystriders.org.au to learn more.
Volunteer Shout-Out
Want to play a role in your club as a
7.00 am Group Leader? Want to help
out at a Striders’ race or event?
Just drop us an email on
volunteers@sydneystriders.org.au
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30 Years of the SIX FOOT TRACK MARATHON
1984 to 2014
John Bowe
[This article was first published in RAYL January 2014
when local historians and the Orange Lands Office worked
on re-establishing the right of way of the track, erecting sign
posts and stiles.
and is republished here with permission]
There is something about this race, run by runners for runners, supported by the orange suited volunteers from the
rural fire service; the smell of damper or the whiff of burnt
eucalypt at the start; sweet watermelon, bananas and lollies, all mixed up with the scent of salty sweat at the aid stations; of elevated endorphins as you course down a hill or
grind your way back up it; the encouragement of a yell out
as you approach along a lonely fire trail. The realisation that
everyone who is there, really wants to be there.
In that heady mix, beats the heart and passion that laid the
foundations of ultra running in Australia.
There are few events that could be considered to have a
heritage equal to that of many of the worlds iconic ultras.
The Six Foot Track Marathon can legitimately lay claim.
The Six Foot Track Marathon was run for the first time 30
years ago, on 24th March 1984, to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the surveying of the track. It had been first
marked out as a bridle and walkers trail back in 1884, to
shorten the journey from the marked tree at Katoomba,
across the Coxs River to Jenolan Caves. It was six feet wide
so that two loaded drays could pass each other at any point
…. which in more recent times, approximates the distance
required for two leaden legged runners to pass each other
as they make their way along the Black Range!
The first recorded journey on the track was in 1887 by the
NSW Governor, Lord Carrington, and his wife. The journey
from start to finish took approximately eight hours and was
very popular until motor vehicles gradually took over in the
twentieth century, and an alternative route to Jenolan was
built. It was not until 1937 that the track became more formally known as the Six Foot Track. By the end of World War
2, the track had fallen into disuse, until the early 1980’s,
According to "Big Chris" Stephenson, Katoomba paper 'The
Echo' had the idea to invite some runners to christen the
track on re-opening. Sister paper "The Manly Daily", who
sponsored the Manly 100 miler, contacted Manly race director Ian Hutchison to organise some runners, just two weeks
out. So Ian contacted Chris and between them they organised 7 runners.
So on 24th March 1984, the track was formally re-opened,
and the Mayor of the Blue Mountains, Peter Quirk, triggered
the starters gun. Armed with bushwalking maps, the seven
runners set off splitting into two groups. There were no aid
stations, so along the way they drank water from Little River,
a few muddy puddles, and according to Max Bogenhuber,
even the offer of a shared barley sugar, politely declined!
Wives and partners met them with some food at Caves road,
and on they ploughed on to Jenolan Caves House. Of course
there are now 17 fully stocked aid stations spread over the
course length!
Bob Marden was the first to reach Jenolan Caves House 46.6
kms later, in 5 hours and 26 minutes, followed by ‘Big Chris’
Stephenson from Cronulla, Max Bogenhuber from Billy’s
Bushies runners in Sutherland, (the only runner who has
since run and finished each and every race) Ian Taylor from
Bathurst, who was organising a Bathurst 50 miler race in
September 1984, Ian Hutchinson from Leura, (Race Director
for the Manly 100 and first race director of Six Foot) Geordie
Fitzgerald of the Runnery Runners Shop from Manly and Bill
Miller from Bathurst bringing up the rear in 6 hrs 21 mins.
Max Bogenhuber will once again be there at the start line on
8th March 2014. There is every reason to believe that, age
71, Max will be greeted with an even louder cheering crowd
across the finish line, 30 years since that very first run.
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So the word spread, and 35 runners toed the line in 1985 at
Jenolan, with the course direction reversed. Kevin Skelton
broke the 4 hour barrier for the first time, in 3:45:12. It was
originally intended to alternate direction each year (like
Comrades), but race logistics and the finish in a car park at
Katoomba, just didn't quite measure up to the dramatic finish at Jenolan Caves. Matthew Cull won it in 3:28:17 in 1987,
and the legendary Don Wallace lowered the race record to
3:24:44 in 1991. And there it stood until 2007. Indeed it can
reasonably be asserted that it still stands, as the course
length was adjusted from 46.6 to 45km in 1992.
The race has continued to strengthen and grow over the
years since, becoming established as one of the first, the
toughest and most prominent ultra trail running events in
Australia. In recent years it has been quickly filling to capacity with 850 to 900 runners toeing the start line. This despite
the requirement to run a pre-qualifying marathon or ultra
event in the 18 months prior and with demand well exceeding capacity, it has helped to encourage a spillover effect,
stimulating interest and participation in many other ultra
running events emerging around the country.
There is a magical and unique community spirit to this event
with the essential support of the volunteers of the Rural Fire
Service at the aid stations along the course. Participants
nervously make their way in the early dark to Explorers Tree
greeted with traditional Billy Tea, Damper and syrup "Cocky's Joy"; the ‘biting at the bit’ dash of runners in five
successive waves to the head of the stairs (the course width
narrows to 50 cm about 800 metres into the race!); the constrained but impatient procession, giving the quads an early
workout down Nellies Glen; the knowing looks of veterans
as the novice greyhounds rip down the single track towards
Coxes; the momentary jolly whilst holding the rope crossing
the Cox's River, (knee or neck deep, depending on your
height!) followed by the foreboding, slow and steady grind
uphill to Pluvi; that unrelenting solitary journey through the
black range, where the adequacy of your preparation is tested and your soul is laid bare; and that final exhilaration, triggered by the sound of a cowbell and the cheering of the
crowds in the valley below, as each runner enters stage
right, to soak in every last moment, and the feeling of every
last step, in that last rollicking run over the final kilometre to
cross that unforgettable finish line. Beer drinkers on the
right, water melon on the left, and the first aiders in the
middle, ready with open arms!
“It has to be respected and punishes under-preparedness
and over exuberance like no other. It is a race that rewards
the strong and conservative.”
The race is run as a 'not for profit' event, supported by volunteer runners, and the NSW Rural Fire Service - Blue Mountains District, providing essential logistical support the early
years of the event. It also provides the RFS volunteers with
an invaluable training opportunity, with financial proceeds
from the event, after costs, donated in support.
That amount has grown to almost $40,000 in 2013. After a
tough start to the fire season in late 2013, that mutual support is an integral part of the community spirit of this event.
Following and preserving the tradition established by founder and first race director, Ian Hutchison (1984); jointly with
‘Big Chris’ Stephenson (1985 to 1992); ‘Big Chris’ solo (1993
to 2000); Kevin Tiller (2001 to 2009); and Colin Jeftha (2010
to 2014), since 2001 the Sydney Striders Running Club and
it's volunteers have been formally supporting and administering the race event, and providing a rallying point for volunteer support from across the broader running community.
Race Director, Colin Jeftha adds:
“If you ask any bystander at the amphitheatre that is Jenolan Caves, it is an unique finish where both runner and spectator are aware of each other's presence, with the awaiting
crowd cheering and willing the oncoming finisher for about
4 to 5 minutes whilst the runner hears the ever increasing
cheering. This is one of the big reasons that the spectator
becomes next year's novice. The atmosphere of the finish is
something not replicated at many other races.”
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There is a wonderful 'can-do' chaotic process in any event
run by volunteers: fuelled by passion, consuming vast quantities of personal time, with the load often resting on the
shoulders of one or two individuals and the goodwill of
many others who quietly go about picking up the forgotten
pieces, fixing the bits that got broken or just making do! Every year, plans have to change last minute and miracles are
performed. The beauty of the environment we run through
means also needing to stand ready and prepared to anticipate threatening bush fires, extreme heat and drought,
damp and cool days, and inevitably ....the floods. In 2012 for
the first time, after all of the preparations, runners training
and anticipation, we all watched in awe as the Coxes River
peaked. That year the weather won, and for the first time in
its history there was no choice but to cancel the event.
Many of Australia's best male and female ultra trail runners
have been drawn to this iconic race over the years: The men
have included Don Wallace, Paul Arthur, Tony Fattorini,
Andrew Lee, Alex Matthews and course record holder and
Blue Mountains resident, Ben Artup, who won in race record time in 2009 in 3:15:25.
The women have included Dawn Tiller, Vanessa Haverd,
Jackie Fairweather, New Zealander Anna Frost and female
course record holder Emma Murray, who was first female
and fourth overall in 2006 in 3:37:27.
And many formal and informal traditions have established
around the race, including: The panic to run a pre-qualifier
event; Making sure you finish before the 7 hour Sweeper;
Earning your buckle and a guaranteed entry on finishing for
the sixth time; Running a further 6 races to earn the belt to
match the buckle; Adding your name to the small handful of
race legends that have completed 24 races, earning the right
to a permanent race number: Max Bogenhuber, Dominic
Boidin, Peter Barnes and Bob Fickel.
Perhaps running a ‘Six Foot Sicko’ time: less than 4 hours 11
minutes and 5 seconds …. the legendary time run by former
race director Kevin Tiller in 1994….and beaten by his wife
Dawn just 12 months later! Or participating in that race
within a race: the unofficial ‘’Beer Bet” run by a motley crew
of ‘legends in their own lunchtime’, has-beens and wannabes, who seem more intent on bragging, sledging, wagering
or bludging their way across the finish line to win the beer
(forget about the buckle / belt / or permanent number)
awaiting them after the finish line....and who wouldn't trade
it all in for a beer or three at the finish!
Dawn Tiller holds one of the more extra-ordinary records,
first woman an unequalled 6 times over a 10 year period
(1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 ...The missing 4 years
were due to pregnancy with 4 children!), holding the women’s course record (4:10:51) from 1995 to 2005, until Emma
Murray set a new course record of 3:37:27 in 2006 having
broken Dawn's record in 2005. The percentage of women
participating has steadily increased to about 20% along with
the quality, with many national and international quality
entrants. However there is some work to be done to elevate
that number to approximate the 50% at City2Surf. And why
not? Just ask Dawn….
In 2007 Tony Fattorini lowered the race time on the new 45
km course to 3:24:11, Barry Keem shaved another minute to
3:23:13 in 2008, Alex Matthews to 3:20:58 in 2010 and Ben
Artup holds the current 45 km course record, smashing it in
3:15:25 in 2011.
There was great excitement in the running twitterverse in
early 2014, as news spread that Australian Olympic and
Commonwealth Games representative, Marty Dent, would
be racing Six Foot in 2014. Marty completed his first Ultra
race with victory in race record time in the 60 km Kepler
Challenge in late 2013, and with marathon preparations underway for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games just 20
weeks later, will Marty give Ben Artups race record a shot?
In 1991, aged 29, Don Wallace lowered the 46.6 km course
record to 3 hours 24 minutes and 24 seconds. Despite the
course length being adjusted and reduced to the current 45
kms from 1992, Don held that race record for the next 15
years. Twenty two years later, in 2013, Don was still finishing
in the top 10 and still well
under 4 hours, crossing the
Colin Jeftha: “As the RD for the last 5 years, it is the
line in 3 hours 37 minutes
challenge to deliver with the reward of respect and
and 17 seconds. Between
recognition from one of the best groups of humble
1991 and 2013 (22 years)
and humbled runners. The opportunity to work with
Don has had seven finishes,
people like the RFS volunteers is second to none.
all of them under 3 hours
45 minutes.
Gill Fowler is one of the leading
women to watch in 2014, coming
off the back of winning the GNW
100 miler in late 2013 in a race record time, and second place in the
recent Bogong to Hotham rooftop
run.
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As anticipation builds towards the 30th anniversary; it is this
strong sense of community ownership; of something special
that needs to be protected; the toughness of the challenges
along the course; the variable weather conditions; the many
intangible things that make it what it is; of runners passion
and their desire to return time and again; of RFS volunteer
support. All of this and many other things, will ensure that
this much loved race will continue to grow and to thrive for
at least another 30 years.
Six for Six
Dawn Tiller
Not many races can claim to 500+ runners having earned the
six year buckle, 100+ earning the belt (12 years+) to go with
it, and 4 legends (24 years+) with a few more about to join
their ranks in the next few years.
1, What do you love most about Six Foot?
It's a very honest race - it's great scenery but you need to
have put in the effort to be able to race it else you will get
found out on those big hills.
2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
I think the finish is just so spectacular when we come round
the corner and can see the finish and hear the people cheering and you come charging downhill to see hundreds of people gathered around. It's very emotional and I have never
seen anything like it at any other race.
3. Your most memorable moment?
Not just winning but beating my husband's best time (by
about a minute) and having him there with our kids at the
finish line.
Marty Dent: “The increased interest has been driven
both by the allure of the race and the limitation of the
field, to the extent that it became one of the most in
demand entries of races worldwide. Trail running itself
has grown in line with running participation across the
board but has also been driven by the desire to do something different, and for many the desire to be relieved of
the pressure of min/km whilst still doing something not
many achieve. 6ft has been a part of that growth.”
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Dawn Tiller cont.
4. The hardest part?
The undulations along Black Range Road (26km to 35km) especially in the heat.
5. What draws you back?
When you are doing some serious training, it's like an annual
test to see how you are going.
6. Which other six footer has inspired you most?
Max - doing anything for 30 years is a big part of your life but
to keep coming back and finishing Six Foot in a good time is
just too hard to comprehend (he ran 5:29 in 2013 for his 29th
finish).
the demons that haunted me. The answer was that I had to.
4. The hardest part?
Everything between the start and finish lines. And that first
climb after the river up to mini saddle.
5. What draws you back?
I have started the race 3 times in 2000, 2007 and 2009. I also
did the training for 2010 (DNS due to stress fracture) 2011
(DNS due to stress fracture) and 2012 (DNS due to flood!).
What draws me back is the fact that you need to be so versatile to do well. You need; speed, endurance, strength, and an
ability to climb and run down hills well. Where else do you
get all that? It's a race that takes maturity and strategy.
6. Which other six footer has inspired you most?
The people who inspire me are the Living Legends of the race
and those, unlike me, who can keep coming back to the race
every year. People like Living Legend #2,Dominic Boidin in
particular who also first introduced me to long runs as a kid
when my Dad asked him if he could take me on a few trail
runs (I think I was getting in trouble at school and running
was meant to burn off teenager energy).
Also Don Wallace who has shown that even after 18+ years
you can run similar top level times. That changes your thinking about running performance as you age.
I don't know many other races where a person has been able
to this, apart from Dave "the man" Scott at Hawaii. But even
he only had 14 years between his first win (1980) and an
amazing second place finish (1994).
Ben Artup
1, What do you love most about Six Foot?
I love that it's just up the road from where I live and get to
sleep at home the night before the race. And that I can train
on the course easily when I need to. I also love how challenging the course is. It's brutality challenges you like no other
race.
2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
While there are now other great trail races that are as technically or vertically challenging, to me 6 ft is still the main race.
It's long tradition, and the way race directors have cultivated
that tradition also makes the race different to other races.
Where else do you get free entry for the rest of your life if
you just keep turning up for almost a quarter of a century?
3. Your most memorable moment?
Bizarrely one of the most defining and memorable moments
(in a painful way) was my 2007 race. It broke me in a way I
had never been broken before, both physically and mentally.
It taught me to respect the race and that it can't be compared
to any other race. I had agreed to quit running forever in the
last 5ks of the 2007 race. However as soon as I finished I
thought, wow, I had seen a dark and sorry side of myself I'd
never seen before, and that excited me. Could I return to face
Alex Matthews
1. What do you love most about Six Foot?
The camaraderie of other runners out on the course, supporting whilst fighting their own battles. I also love the challenge the race that serves up, there plenty of tough sections
(uphill/downhill and technical trail) which will find you out if
you are not fighting fit.
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2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
The challenge of the rugged terrain, humid weather and
tough competitors and 'bragging rights' that go with running
a successful race!
3. Your most memorable moment?
Winning the 2010 Six-Foot track in 3:20.58 is a great memory.
4. The hardest part?
Navigating down Nellies Glen staircase without falling over
5. What draws you back?
The fact that the race throws up a number of challenges and
together with the sense of achievement in finishing unscathed!
6. Which other Six-Footer has inspired you most?
Ben Artup was a machine in 2009!
Max Bogenhuber
1, What do you love most about Six Foot?
It used to be the privileges I was afforded (parking at the
start, start in wave 1) as the only runner to have run them all
since its inception. Plus the fact that I wanted to keep that
streak of running every one alive. Starting with the number '1'
bib does give you a special feeling.
2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
The aid station being manned by the RFS. They do a fantastic
job and without them there wouldn't be a race.
3. Your most memorable moment?
I have two memorable moments:
a)
In 2001 I ran as the sweeper. I wore a 'grim reaper'
outfit and I was carrying a rather loud whistle. As I
came along the Black Range I sneaked up on a lady
b)
who was dropping behind schedule. As I got really
close I blew my whistle real loud. The lady turned
around and got such a scare she jumped about six foot
in the air.
I can't say for sure which year, but in one of the early
years, maybe 1986 or 1987, the Cox's River was so
high the RFS had put two ropes across for us to hang
onto as we crossed. It was a real sight to see, all those
runners over their head in the river, hanging on to
those ropes for dear life.
4. The hardest part?
For me, the hardest part is the three month period leading up
to the race. At my age (I'll be 72 in a few months) it is really
hard to put in the miles required to do the race justice. In the
race itself, the hardest part is the section from the Pluviometer to the road crossing. I always tell people "the race starts
at the Pluviometer".
5. What draws you back?
Keeping the streak alive.
6. Which other six footer has inspired you most?
In the early years there was a guy by the name of John Williams. He taught me to run/walk the hills. Until I had spoken
to John I never walked a step, trying to be the tough guy. But
John taught me that you can't beat the hills, so it is best to
adopt a run/walk strategy. It was this strategy that gave me
my fastest time (3:58:48, when I was nearly 46 years old).
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Dominic Boidin
1, What do you love most about Six Foot?
In the early days it was running it with my father, brothers
and mates and enjoying the company of like-minded people
running through the beautiful Blue Mtns. But now it's being a
part of an event that I have supported for many years and I'm
still really enjoying the challenge.
2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
I'll be poetic and say its like The Man from Snowy River poem
without the horses. Runners champing at the bit, raring to go
and seeing who can lead the mob home in mountainous
country. It's a great event that has no equal!
3. Your most memorable moment?
I have many! Being a sweeper in 1992 with my two brothers
was a highlight but becoming a Legend in 2009 was by far my
most memorable moment. This was the same year that my
mate Ben Artup set the current course record, making it extra
special.
4. The hardest part?
The hardest part is during the race. You never know what
may happen on the day, injury etc. However, I've been fortunate enough to get through all my 6 ft tracks unscathed.
5. What draws you back?
The challenge of this iconic event, supporting the RFS, catching up with the old crew and being a part of the local running
mob, the Blue Mountains Marathon Clinic (BMMC). The
bottom line is I just love doing it because I still can!
6. Which other six footer has inspired you most?
Without a doubt Legend Max Bogenhuber. One of the originals. An incredible athlete and still going strong. It's runners
like Max that inspire the current league of 6ft track participants that will keep this event strong and healthy, raising
funds for a very worthy cause, the RFS.
Tony Fattorini
1, What do you love most about Six Foot?
The excitement of the final descent to Caves House. Nothing
beats that sense of relief at seeing the finish line.
2. What distinguishes it from other races you have run?
The enthusiasm and spirit of volunteers who make it happen,
and the lack of any commercial incentives make it very special. A for-profit event could never have the same atmosphere.
3. Your most memorable moment?
Overtaking Paul Arthur in 2007 and thinking, "Sh*t! I'm in the
lead!"
4. The hardest part?
That short steep climb just before Caves Road. Makes my
lungs explode every time.
5. What draws you back?
Knowing how good it will feel to sit in the sun with a cold
beer afterwards.
6. Which other six footer has inspired you most?
Tough call. Can I have two? Ben Artup's record-breaking run
was incredible. He prepared perfectly and ran a brilliant race
all on his own. But I'm also blown away by Don Wallace's recent times. On an age-adjusted basis he's in a class all of his
own.
10
Striders @ the SIX FOOT TRACK MARATHON 2014
Images courtesy of Stefica Key
11
Sonia O’ Sullivan—Exciting Guest Speaker
Jo Cowan and John Bowe
This article is taken from the Athletics Illustrated website.
© Copyright – 2013 – Athletics Illustrated
Sonia O’Sullivan represented Ireland on the international athletics stage for 19 years between 1988 and 2007.
In that time she competed in four Olympic Games, six
World Cross Country Championships, six World Track
and Field Championships and five European Championships, medalling 11 times, including double gold during
the 1998 World Cross Country Championships. She also
won a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
5000 metre race and gold in the 5000 metre event at
the 1995 World Championships. She set an Olympic
5000 metre record in Atlanta with her 15:15.80 semifinal win.
Her range as a top-level athlete stretched from 800 metres, where her best at that distance is an international
quality 2:00:69 , to the marathon, where she has run as
fast as 2:29.01. She set at least seven national records
from the 1000 metre distance to the half-marathon. She
Sonia O’Sullivan will be the guest
speaker at our Sydney Striders Party,
May 23 at Dockside, Darling Harbour
SAVE THE DATE!!!
also owns three world records in the 2000 metre and 2
mile distances as well as taking the world indoor 5000m
record at the age of 22, by finishing in 15:17.28. and
would be considered by most sports commentators in
Ireland, and indeed most Irish people, to be one of the
greatest Athletes that Ireland has ever produced .
For most of the 1990's and early 2,000's she was one of
the worlds leading 5,000 metres runners with a PB of
14:41 which she ran to take silver at Sydney Olympics, a
fraction of a second behind Gabrielle Szabo.
12
With special guest speaker
Sonia O’Sullivan
13
Some of her other achievements:

Gold in the 5,000 m at World Championships in 1995.

Double gold medals in the 1998 World Cross Country Championships in 4 km and 8km, beating Paula Radcliffe to silver

World Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 1995

Flag bearer for Ireland at the Sydney Olympics

Chef De Mission for Team Ireland at London Olympics.
The mother of two grew up in Cobh, Country Cork, Ireland and has recently moved to Australia. O’Sullivan retired before the 2008 Beijing
Olympics Games, and has started a new venture called AgRith; an athlete mentoring service.
One of the humblest and most impressive people you could ever come
across, Sonia is nothing short of a National hero in Ireland. She is married to Nick Bideau and lives in Melbourne with her two children and we
are very privileged that she has agreed to talk to us at our Annual
Awards Dinner.
Sonia will be an amazing guest speaker. Make sure you book your seat
to this night! It’s going to be so much fun and very inspiring!
Booking details will be sent out shortly via Striders email.
Sonia’s personal bests include:
OUTDOOR
800 Metres
2:00.69
Sankt-Peterburg
28 JUL 1994
1000 Metres
2:34.66
Villeneuve-d'Ascq
02 JUL 1993
1500 Metres
3:58.85
Monaco
25 JUL 1995
One Mile
4:17.25
Oslo (Bislett)
22 JUL 1994
2000 Metres
5:25.36
Edinburgh
08 JUL 1994
3000 Metres
8:21.64
London
15 JUL 1994
Two Miles
9:19.56
Cork
27 JUN 1998
5000 Metres
14:41.02
Sydney
25 SEP 2000
10,000 Metres
30:47.59
München
06 AUG 2002
10 Kilometres
30:59
Milano
21 MAY 2000
15 Kilometres
49:50
New Delhi
03 OCT 2004
Half Marathon
1:10:04
Brussels
05 MAY 2002
Marathon
2:29:01
London
17 APR 2005
5 Kilometres
14:56
London
01 SEP 2002
8 Kilometres
24:43
Balmoral
22 APR 2000
5 Miles Road
24:50
Balmoral
22 APR 2000
10 Miles Road
INDOOR
51:00
Portsmouth
08 SEP 2002
1500 Metres
4:11.27
Lisboa
10 MAR 2001
3000 Metres
8:44.37
Lisboa
10 MAR 2001
5000 Metres
15:17.28
Boston, MA
26 JAN 1991
Source: http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/ireland/sonia-osullivan-61397#personal-bests
14
ANSW Winter Racing
Calling all Sydney Striders . Want to improve your speed
during Winter?
The ANSW (Athletics NSW) Winter racing season is upon us
and there is no better way to improve your speed than to
race over these distances during Winter. These events are fun
and for all levels of ability with distances from 4ks onwards,
depending on the event.
If you run in 3 events for Sydney Striders your ANSW membership fee will be FULLY REIMBURSED!
Great incentive to be involved. The
event schedule is:
Saturday 12th April 2014
2014 NSW Novice Championships
Scarborough Park - Hawthorne Street,
Ramsgate
Saturday 3rd May 2014
Sydney:10 (Incorporating the 2014 NSW
Road Race Championships) Homebush
Saturday 31st May 2014
2014 NSW Cross Country Relay Championships The Kingsway, Miranda
Saturday 21st June 2014
2014 NSW Cross Country Championships Willandra, Nowra
Saturday 12th July 2014
2014 NSW Road Relay Championships Ourimbah
Saturday 2nd August 2014
2014 NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships Ry-
Upcoming 10km Striders
Races and other races
April Palmerlee
Jo Cowan
dalmere
Sunday 7th September 2014
2014 NSW Half marathon Championships
Bankstown
Sunday 21st September 2014
2014 NSW Marathon Championships Sydney
Sunday 19th October 2014
Fernleigh:15 (Incorporating the 2014 NSW 15km Championships) Newcastle
Getting involved is easy. Go to
http://www.nswathletics.org.au/
Join/ANSW-Membership
Select the appropriate ‘new’ or
‘renew’.
If you are a new member select Sydney Striders, then select Winter Only' Athlete 13/14 and follow the
prompts. Your registration number
will be posted to you.
Please advise Sydney Striders that
you have registered by email: answ@sydneystriders.org.au.
If there are any difficulties, please contact:
Jo Cowan on 0410 514 189
For further information please email
athletics@sydneystriders.org.au
Your Striders ANSW team co-ordinators are: Mary Stringer
(women) Tom Highnam (men) EJ Davies for all Masters
events.
50km, 21km, 6km, 1km
Ned Kelly Chase –26 October -- Wangarrata VIC www.nedkellychase.com.au - 100km, 50km, 25km relay, 10km
Auckland Marathon – Auckland NZ -- 2 November www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz -- 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km
Saturday, 3 May
Sydney 10 at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush
This is the ANSW State Title race but Striders will still be
awarded points for time and handicap from these results.
Register at www.sydney10.com.au
Saturday, 10 May
Internal 10km Handicap at Lane Cove
OTHER RACES OF INTEREST TO STRIDERS:
Cancer Council Fun Run - Sydney - 22 June –
www.run2cureneuroblastoma.gofundraise.com.au
10km, 5km, 1km
Sixty4 Southern Highlands Challenge – Wingello NSW
31 August – www.southernhighlandschallenge.com
15
Beginner’s Foot
Hailey Maxwell
In July 2013 I completed my first marathon, the M7 Cities
Marathon, in 4 Hours 14 minutes. As I crossed the line I was
overwhelmed with emotion and support from my family and
friends who came to cheer for me. I thought I would never
again feel as amazing as I did that day. After collecting my
medal and celebrating my achievement, a running buddy
mentioned that I now qualified for the Six Foot Track Marathon. At the time I had never heard of the race so I questioned him about it and it got me thinking about running. A
few days after the race I did some research and thought I’d
give trail running a go, but I didn’t want to do it alone so I
contacted the Sydney Striders who I knew had a group training for the Six Foot Track Marathon event and I immediately
signed up. My first contact was Andy Stiddard who was organising the training runs for the group and he was most
helpful and supportive. I bought myself some trail shoes and
joined the Sydney Striders Six Foot Training Group for their
first run on 9th November 2013 at the Lane Cove National
Park. I was feeling very nervous that day as I didn’t quite
know what I was getting myself into.
I got up at 4.00am to have breakfast, get ready and drive
from the Sutherland Shire to Lane Cove. It rained for most of
the run but that did not alter the experience for me at all as I
had such a fun time out there. Looking back it was a very
good course for somebody who is new to trail running, as it
had a bit of everything and wasn’t too technical, plus it has
beautiful water views. I also got to meet and run with the
lovely Maria with whom I have shared many hours on the
trails since then. We even ran part of the path with a bush
turkey (and no, it wasn’t me, ha). After that first run I was
definitely hooked and looking forward to my next run with
the group, which was two weeks later at the Whale Rock Run
(I missed a week due to a Volleyball tournament in Canberra).
Our meeting point was the Waterloo Park in Marsfield and we
had a big turnout for this run, plus some free yoghurt and
cheese at the end. This trail was more of a proper “trail” run
and gave me some more insight into the sport. My love of the
trails was growing more and more, and every week I looked
forward to the next trail run.
Throughout the weeks we ran on courses such as the Ourimbah Quarry, Clare’s Calamity, Quarry Road, Otford to Bundeena, Hornsby Hurricane and our final session was at the
Equaliser in Belrose. All of these courses challenged us in
different ways and set us up with a great base in preparation
for the big race. Our group ran through many tough courses
and shared lots of laughs as we ran the trails each week, and I
couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday morn-
ings. We owe a great deal to Andy for organising these runs
so well and for turning up each week even when he could not
run due to injury. Thank you Andy!
And slowly it had crept upon us. It was race day.
Most of our Striders crew had arrived at Katoomba the night
before including Sherin and I who had stayed at The Carrington Hotel. We all made our way to Katoomba High for the
buses to the Start line and when we got there the atmosphere was electric! We saw most of our training group before
they started in the various waves. We talked race plans and
wished each other well. There was such a buzz in the air and
everyone was grinning from ear to ear. As the guns went off it
was time to put all those hours of hard work into completing
the tough 45km course that lay before us. The first challenge
was going down Nellie’s Glen, a slippery, uneven, anklebraking section of forest stairs. Many people had warned me
about this section and advised to take it slow. But slow was
the only option by the time our Wave 5 got to those stairs.
Everyone was cautiously going step by step and it way too
narrow to pass anyone so slow was the only option. Good.
Next we hit some fire trail and I made a quick toilet stop
about 5km into the trail (I’m blaming it on the nerves). Maria
and I set off together and I was lucky to have her company for
most of the course. We kept each other on track and stuck to
our race plan, which meant taking it easy all the way up to
the Pluviometer and then stepping it up a notch from there
onwards.
16
We were happy to have some fog cover at this point too, as it
kept the hot sun off our backs. As we passed through many of
the water stations manned by the lovely people of the local
RFS, we made time to say hello and give thanks at them all. I
am very grateful for their service not only in assisting us on
race day, but for all the hours they give voluntarily to protect
the community. My hat goes off to them.
After the gruelling power walk up mini saddle, the Pluviometer was our first victory and there were celebrations from all
of the runners and volunteers when we got to the top. Now it
was time to buckle down and get some speed back through
the Black Range and that’s exactly what we did. Maria and I
kicked up a gear and eventually I had to let her go ahead as I
was feeling a little light-headed, but I wasn’t going to let it
stop me. I slowed to have another gel and some water, and
within 5 minutes I was feeling much better. I ran and I ran and
I ran. I surprised myself with how much of the last section of
the course I ran, even when everyone else around me was
walking. I felt great, better than ever in fact, and I kept passing people and wishing them well. I also got to run with Leonor and Margaret near the Pine Forest and I’ll never forget
Leonor singing “Highway to Hell” as we laughed and carried
on. Slowly I was gaining speed again and occasionally I could
see Maria in the distance ahead of me. She was going so well,
especially as her taper had come early due to some foot
problems. I tried to catch her but she was just too quick for
me. When I got to the final road crossing I knew it was all
downhill from there and I kicked it up
another gear. I passed more runners
and one man told me I looked like I was
flying. I’m pretty sure my 6 foot tall
lankiness doesn’t look that elegant
(especially after 40km) but I’ll take it!
I approached the last water station and
said ‘G’day’ to the friendly RFS staff and
one of the gents who I had spoken to at
an earlier station asked me ‘How are
you still smiling?” and all I could reply
was “How could I not, I love this!” So
with that I took off down the last trail
towards Caves House. It was a tricky
section of loose rocks on single trail and
most people were walking it. The quads
were burning but I was determined to
keep on running, as I had promised
myself to run the last section. I stayed
low and kept my legs moving heel to
toe like I’d been taught, and I kept my
arms loose at the sides for balance. And
then I heard the roar of the crowd as I
got to the top of the last walkway down
to the Finish and I
burst into tears. I
was here, I had
made it and I was
going to finish! I
sprinted down the
concrete
zigzag
pathways as fast as
my legs would carry me, took the last
few stairs and
rounded the bend
to the finish line as
the crowd cheered
louder and louder.
I even heard them
say my name over the speaker, how exciting! There were
hugs and tears as I got my medal and saw all my running
friends. The goal I had set for myself was to beat the sweepers which meant I had to complete the course in under 7
hours, and I had totally smashed that by finishing in 6 hours
and 8 minutes. You could not wipe the smile of my face and
it’s a moment in time that I will never forget. I owe a great to
deal to Striders who have encouraged me and who volunteered at the event, as well as our training group who have
taught me so much in the past couple of months. I have had
the most amazing journey in the lead up to the Six Foot Track
Marathon, and I couldn’t have
done it without you all.
It is one of the most enjoyable
running experiences I’ve ever and
I’m so happy to have made so
many life-long friends along the
way. The support, encouragement and sheer joy on everyone’s
faces as we crossed the finish line
at Caves House was like nothing I
have experienced before. Runners are an awesome bunch and
the Sydney Striders are one of the
best groups of people that I have
ever met.
My next adventure is conquering
my first NorthFace100 in May and
I am competing in this to raise
funds for Dementia research. If
anyone would like to donate you
can do so via this link: https://
cheba2.everydayhero.com/au/
running-hailey
Thank You and Happy Running!
17
New York City Marathon 2013
George Herrison
Early in 2013, Lynn and I decided to run the New York City
Marathon. I last ran it in 2001 (just a few weeks after September 11...), and it was an amazing experience. I wanted Lynn to
have the same experience of running an overseas marathon
and so NYC it is. Arriving into NYC on
Wednesday night, we ventured out
to the Expo on Thursday morning to
pick up our marathon kit. On Friday
morning, we met other Aussie runners from Travelling Fit in Central
Park for a light 5km run, and ran into
other groups from Europe and South
America. I was asked to be part of
the Parade of Nations on Friday
night in Central Park, which I enjoyed immensely. The fireworks display to the playing of Frank Sinatra
‘New York….New York ‘ was something we will never forget.
At 4.45am, on Sunday the alarm went off – not much sleep
due to nerves. The temperature had fallen suddenly overnight to 2 degrees. We ventured out for a short walk to catch
the 6am bus to Staten Island for the running of the 43 rd New
York City Marathon. The spirit on the bus was jovial and lots
of chatter from Australians from all over, many of whom we
had met in the days leading up to the marathon. On a windy,
overcast day, Staten Island greeted 51,000 runners; we all
went through a body search, by New York’s finest. After the
cancellation of last year’s race, in the wake of the storm
Sandy, and seven months after the
bombings at the Boston Marathon,
this year running of the NYC Marathon, was going to be a very special
occasion. We settled in the tents for
our 4 hour wait – the time went
quickly as we tried to keep warm,
chatted and drank coffee. Amazingly
the nervousness disappeared and
we felt relaxed when we were finally
called. We started in the fourth
wave, the last group to leave the
Island at 11 o’clock, on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, we ran together,
as my role was to pace Lynn . We
started well, and stayed on track
with our projected time, we reached
the 5 km mark at 31 minutes, the 10
km mark at 62 minutes, and the half
way mark in 2hrs 14 minutes. In
cool temperatures with a stiff wind from the north that took
its toll on Lynn, the pace dropped off a bit during the second
half of the race. Cheering really pushes you forward, and we
used that to keep us moving. New York’s immigrant community, as well as foreign visitors,
showed up waving the flags of their
homelands and shouting encouragement to their countrymen and women in various languages. It was the
assembly of so many people from so
many cultures, all supporting individual endurance and resilience. We
heard many calls of “Go Sydney” as
we ran in our striders singlets. There
were all sorts of bands along the
route, which created an amazing
buzz. It is estimated that more than
2 million people are on the course – at many a point the
crowd was deafening. At the 30km mark , our projected time
was over by 7 minutes. Lynn felt good as we faced a steep
uphill with the wind on our faces. The gradual climb from the
36th to the 38th km mark was the toughest part the race and
Lynn lost some time there but recovered as we entered Central Park.
The last 4km though Central Park was just as hard, and we
passed a lot of walkers, which made it difficult for the runners. We crossed the finishing line over our projected time,
but were pleased, with our efforts. We were not concerned
about our time, our aim were to cross
the finishing line together. This was be
one of those very special occasions in
our lives....We have savoured that moment. New York is one of the best marathons in the world. The crowd support the organisation and the pride you
feel is amazing. The experience of running through the 5 boroughs of New
York City is unforgettable starting in
Staten Island, Queens, The Bronx,
Brooklyn and finishing in Manhattan.
Interesting stats:
|Temperature - 6 degrees Celsius |
Starters 50740 | Finishers 50266 (99%)
| Australians - 749 | US citizens - 34% |
Women - 39% | Oldest finisher - 89 NZ
man 6.30 |
18
BolderBOULDER Melanie Zeppel
Bolder Boulder in Colorado is one of the world’s greatest 10km
races. To treat myself with a visit to Boulder, a town filled to the
brim with trails, cyclists, runners and people wearing lycra, a conference to Belgium right after my 41st birthday made perfect timing
- Boulder is pretty much on the way to Belgium, right?
To start, when you register you are placed in a wave with about 300
people who run the same 10K pace as you – i.e. you were surrounded by people running at the same pace as you, a large, swarming,
steady breathing mass of people, arms swinging, breathing, silently
padding along the streets, in unison. And if the elevation hits you,
and you start falling behind the group, and see people with the
different coloured bibs start overtaking, it’s time to crank it up.
Some highlights included different locations of belly dancers, and
bacon being offered to runners. Bacon – just what you need midway through a hard 10 km race! And beer! The swag bag at the end
contained a bagel, cream
cheese, beer and a veritable
host of calorie laden junk-food
treats. Fortunately for those
nutrition-minded people,
there was a charity station at
the end where you could donate food.
I also realised I wasn’t going to
run my normal pace due to jet
lag and elevation. I was told
elevation adds approximately 3 mins to a 10 km race. Around when
I realised this wasn’t going to be a fast race, I noticed a gaggle of
youngsters, high school boys who looked like they were part of a
track team. They were wearing Hawaiian shirts, appeared a little
tipsy from the night before, and they were having an absolute ball.
They were clearly sub-40 runners swerving from one side of the
road to the other, high-fiving grandpas, letting out loud hoots of
joy! One guy was running in a g-string…There was a ‘slip and slide’
set up in someone’s yard, which the high school boys dashed over
to, launched onto their stomachs and glided along the plastic, before getting up to keep running. I noticed that, despite rumours of
his death, Prefontaine was running. He had a big smile, had lost a
little of his stockiness, the distinguishing moustache was proudly
displayed and he was having a great time. I said to him “I want a
photo with you at the finish”. I also quietly vowed that, I really
needed to beat Pre to the finish line!
The route was mostly flat with slight inclines, with brilliant scenery
including the Flat Irons in the distance. Curiously, there were markers for every km AND mile, and also at 7.5 km. Just so you could
keep track! There was live music playing, with four live bands playing at almost every km.
Following the public race, there was
a stadium filled with people to watch
the elite race. This is where I sat in
the stadium, watching tellytubbies,
cows, babies, people running in wagons with ‘hot-air balloons’, and then
walkers, then it was the elite race! I
believe Shalane Flanagan was running! Following the elite finishers,
there were sky-gliders descending
from the sky to celebrate.
There was a gaggle of free food options so you can consume double
or treble the calories you expended in the race. Free samples of
‘Chicken burritos’ were being thrown out to the crowd; ‘silent disco’
where you put on head phones, listen to the music while wearing
outrageous glasses, feather bowers, hats and dance like nobody’s
watching. There were free ice-creams too! A beer with Olympic
marathoner Lee Troop and the Boulder Track Club that evening
complete the day. Lee also took me on a glorious trail run through
the spectacular El Dorado canyon the following day. The glorious
end to this story is that upon my next visit I shared a meal and
stayed with the gracious and hilarious Lee and Freya Troop and
their adorable kids.
Upon returning home, I was surprised to
find a package from BolderBoulder, containing a solid key ring with a ‘9th’. Despite
a time of 46:20, which seemed to be disappointing on the day, I came 9th in my age
group. Curiously, 7 out of the 8 women
who beat me were from Colorado. Altitude
training anyone?
Each time I pick up the key ring, it is a beautiful reminder persistent
effort and training leads to great things.
This is one of my all-time favourite races, a brilliant town for training, of runners, and I highly recommend it for the bucket-list!
19
Chicago Marathon 2013
Ginta Viliunas
This is the long-awaited Chicago race report. Chicago is
probably the marathon in respect of which I have been
most apprehensive, as it was the first time that I’ve had to
manage a lower limb injury in the lead-up to it. I’ve bored
you with tales of Running in Space, ie, training on the marvellous “Alter G” machine. I had advice, support and assistance from the epic Sean Williams; although not my coach,
Sean’s garage was the home of the Alter G machine so I saw
a lot of him. He is an awesome running coach, one of Australia’s best.
Although their outfits did rather stand out amongst the
marathoners’ tech fabric gear, fuel belts (nervously stuffed
with sachets of energy gels), compression socks and running
shoes in every colour of the rainbow, these guys really
looked as though they could have completed a full Ironman
event, on zero notice and without a warm-up, wearing their
blazers! More security measures were in clear evidence on
the course: along the way, at apparently random intervals in
front of the crowds of spectators, I saw about 20 or so uniformed, armed members of the Chicago Police force with
very compliant-looking Alsatians. (I strongly suspect the
dogs were also armed.) The security was awesome! I will
confess to a slight chill when the ‘first post-Boston WMM
event on US soil’, thought actually struck home, but by then,
I was well on the way to the start line and the very familiar
first words of “The Star-Spangled Banner” could be – very
faintly - heard over the sound system. The guy next to me,
who turned out to have a beautiful baritone voice (and very,
very good legs J) immediately joined in the singing.
Sean’s advice, hints and, most importantly, his encouragement were pivotal. Crucially, too, Sean’s gorgeous 4 year old
daughter, Matilda provided me with ice cubes to eat during
a few really hot training sessions. I also consulted and took
directed advice from the Wonder Physio, Ken Raupach. Coupled with Ken’s trademark upbeat, cheerful and very practical encouragement, this was a winning combination. However, this time round, I really think that being able to train
on the Alter G was the thing which got me to the start as
well as the finish line in Chicago. Awesome stuff. How lucky Within a word of him joining in the anthem, everyone’s
am I to have found it just in the nick of time?
hands went over their hearts as we all sang, our voices soaring above the mass of tech fabric, running shoes and fuel
On Sunday morning, 13 October, 2013, together with the
belts, visors and that (by now quite familiar to me) smell of
other 40,000 or so runners in the start corrals, I was acutely
the start of a major event. It’s a distinctively clean smell:
conscious that the Chicago marathon was the first World
freshly-showered folk, the mint/eucalyptus fragrance of
Marathon Major event to be held on American soil, since
Dencorub type products having been recently applied and a
the Boston tragedy in April 2013. It has to be said that, on
bit of the sweet scent of Gatorade/Powerade around the
race day morning, I was in probably the safest place in the
place.
United States. The start area in Grant Park was an exclusion
zone: apart from participants, race officials and volunteers, Despite the very palpable nervous energy in the crowd, as
everyone was excluded for a substantial perimeter (800 we sauntered to our assigned start area, we sang loudly and
metres or so).
with real feeling, all but drowning out the voice of the professional who was supposed to be singing it to us. It was a
On our way to the start corral, there were several seriousprecious and really spine-tingling experience with, as one
looking helicopters - cruising quite low – overhead and
would expect, many choked-up and teary voices. After we
about six massive cherry-pickers with rifle-armed, black unifinished the anthem, I thanked Beautiful Baritone With
formed personnel. The most impressive fellows, however,
Good Legs for starting the singing. He turned to me, offered
were hanging around in groups of three, looking particularly
a firm handshake and with a mild yet clear southern drawl,
humourless: unbelievably fit-looking, ‘ripped’, plain clothes
said: “Why, ma’am, it’s an
FBI agents (complete
absolute pleasure. My name
with earpieces and
is Joe, I’m from Alabama and
wires tucked behind
that’s how we roll! Have a
their ears, just like in
great race!”.
those CSI and NCIS
shows on TV). I knew
I made my way to the front of
they were FBI, not bethe 3:30 pace group, standing
cause I have a highlynext to Todd the Pacer, one
developed imagination,
of about six or so 3:30 pacers.
but because I read the
I had ascertained that Todd
very understated badge
was a 2:50 marathoner. He
(about the size of an
appeared to be seriously cool
Aussie ten cent piece)
and seemed to be the guy
on the lapels of their
who could get me home in
chic ‘Abercrombie and
dream time, despite my comFitch’ style, studied caspromised training in the leadual blazers.
up to Chicago...
20
Sadly, it didn’t quite work out that way. Todd was a very
encouraging running companion and an excellent pacer: he
had something to say every now and again, (a perfect pitch
of patter), a nice, self-effacing sense of humour and was
easily able to punch out those metronomic Ks in a whisker
under 5 min/K pace. Delighted that it looked as though I
had found the Man Who Could Help Me Get There, I stuck
with Todd – comfortably – until the 15K mark. Then It Happened. Totally without prior notice, Todd ran off the
course, calling out to those of us who were using him as a
(to that point, fabulous!) pacer, “Run with him!”, indicating
one of the other 3:30 pacers. I was gobsmacked at this turn
of events, not only that it happened at all, but also at my
own reaction to it. I felt as though I’d lost my lifeline and
motivation. I started to slow, just a little bit, then a tiny bit
more.... It is ridiculous to blame the pacer and I am not doing that: I chide myself for relying on Todd to the extent to
which I did. Hopefully, lesson learned! Stress seems to be a
good teacher.
The course? The course itself is great, uber-flat. I don’t
know why the organisers bother with an elevation map; it’s
a dead straight line.
The Chicago marathon course starts in Grant Park and
takes runners through 29 unique neighbourhoods, passing
many Chicago landmarks: we ran down Columbus Drive,
along State Street and past the well-known Chicago Theatre, through the canyons of skyscrapers in the Loop, under
many points of the “L” (elevated railway – think “Blues
Brothers”), Lincoln Park Zoo, Wrigley Field (home of the
Chicago Cubs), Old Town, Franklin Street Bridge, Little Italy,
Pilsen, Chinatown, onto Michigan Avenue past the McCormick Place Convention Centre and the final Roosevelt Road
overpass which turns back into Columbus Drive for the very
welcome finish line. I think there were other landmarks
along the final few miles (and I’m sure a map would inform
me of them) but, the above are all that I remember...
The official estimate was that of 1.7 million spectators lining the course, yelling, cheering, dancing and playing music.
Tons and tons of zany costumes, posters, themed street
parties in full swing. The supporting crowds in the mid-west
are much more restrained than their New York cousins, but
there were several randoms yelling and displaying posters
with slogans along the lines of “Run faster, I just farted!”.
Although I was most keen on the Lithuanian Cheer Zone at
Mile 17, there are 3 main Cheer Zones on the course: 1) the
Bank of America Cheer Zone; 2) the Merrill Lynch Cheer
Zone and 3) the US Trust Cheer Zone. J As always with a
WMM event, the infrastructure was awesome. Everything
was well-organised. The Chicago Marathon Expo, was
amazing. Easily up there with the very best of them in
terms of atmosphere, availability of any and every kind of
running thing you can name, freebies of all kinds and loads
more! The race boasted 20 well-stocked aid stations (each
with water, Gatorade, toilets and first aid), plenty of volunteers to make sure that the runners got their stuff, security
second to none, loads of medicos and support at the end
for everything!
The knowledge that the Lithuanian Cheer Zone (the best
one!) was ahead at Mile 17 sustained me for many a mile. I
passed the time, displacing evil thoughts of Todd’s Betrayal, with happier visions of my dear Chicago Lithuanian
friends (Alvida, Ruta, Daiva, Carina and Julija) who, together with a substantial representation from the Chicago Lithuanian Consulate, had sacrificed their Sunday morning and
were out in force, near the University of Illinois.
I thought that the magical “MILE 17” sign would never
come...I was so, so, eagerly anticipating not only friendly
faces and loud cheering but, critically, the banana which
Daiva had said she’d have, ready for me. I saw them all
from about 100 metres away. I couldn’t miss the very distinctive yellow, green and red Lithuanian flag, as well as the
huge Aussie flag which Ruta had so thoughtfully procured
and brought along J.
I saw Alvida’s beaming smile from a long way off and Julija
and Carina jumping up and down on the spot, waving madly! I have never been so grateful for the perfect specimen
of a banana which Daiva, with shaking hands, was peeling
for me (did I even say ‘Thank you?’.... oops! maybe not at
the time!). I saw my 18 year old daughter Vida at the front
of the crowd. It was my intention to grab her face and plant
a kiss on it – somewhere – but I’m afraid that I only managed a slobbery excuse of an encounter.... as I ran off, to
the sounds of Vida saying “Oh my God, YUUUUCK!! That
was really, really gross!”
The 2013 winners were both Kenyans. The men’s division:
29 year old Dennis Kimetto won in a Chicago course record
time of 2:03:45 (pace: 2.93 mins/K), the 4th fastest marathon of all time. The women’s race: 32 year old Rita Jeptoo
in 2:19:57 (pace: 3.32 mins/K), the fastest marathon in the
world run by a woman in 2013. As for me, I got to the start
as well as the finish without the need for any medical
attention. Although not a totally flash time (3:58:10), as it
was my 10th marathon in 5 years – particularly given the
compromised training this time due to the Parisian knee –
I’m very pleased.
My personal stats: I placed 11,021 overall out of 38,881
finishers, 3,023 out of 17,394 female runners and 34 out of
423 women in the 55-59 age division.
21
Although I read somewhere that over 1,000 medical volunteers were available on race day, I don’t believe it. I remain
very confidently of the view that every medical practitioner
and every medical student in the State of Illinois was in Grant
Park on 13 October 2013. At the finish zone, as the 38,881
finishers made their way through the wonderfully red, white
and blue coloured finishing gates, there they were, actively volunteering and so eagerly and totally ready to lend a
hand to help out and attend to any medical needs, emergency or not. Happily, as no full-scale medical emergency occurred during this event, the result for all of these wonderful
and selfless volunteers was that many of them appeared to
be delightfully idle. After the finish line, with runners emerging from the Gates of Hell, the medicos actively scanned the
runners, on the keen lookout for the walking wounded. Having received from the countless sterling volunteers, my heat
blanket, my well-deserved (and very cool!) Chicago marathon
medal and my goodie box of rejuvenating nourishment, I was
absent-mindedly rubbing my right - slightly stiff - thigh muscle
as I walked along, soaking it all in. During my 400 or so metre
walk past the finish line, I received no less than half a dozen
really earnest inquiries along the lines of “Are you all right,
m’am?”, “ Would you like a doctor to have a look at that leg?”
and three offers of a wheelchair. So, either I looked a whole
lot worse than I felt, or the medicos were bored and looking
for activity! Delighted that I didn’t need it, I declined all offers
of medical aid, but, I have to say that, had there been an MRI
machine handy, I might have taken them up on it, just to
check things out!
Vida and I had a great time together in Chicago, she’s a very
easy travelling companion and, happily for me, she always
brings her very fine sense of direction with her. We had fun
and some great food with the Aussie gang (Wayne Raven,
Tina Tang, Alan Tyler and Gina Chapman-Davies). We also
spent time with the Lithuanian element. That Litho Cheer
Zone was truly awesome stuff; a major highlight of the race
for me. I went to the Lithuanian Consulate afterwards for a
reception for Lithuanian runners. It was the first time that I’d
run any race – much less a marathon - with so many Lithuanian compatriots! There were about 14 runners either from
Lithuania or Lithuanian citizens living in the States (plus me, a
Lithuanian citizen living in Sydney J). Vida also got to see my
old neighbourhood (Cicero): St Anthony’s (my old primary
school and church) and the house where I grew up until the
age of 12. And the really good news for Vida, is that she got
to see all that in the company of her mother PLUS three of
her mother’s dearest childhood/girlhood friends.
ball (I could hear the coach shouting from inside the historic
Cameron Stadium as I ran past). Naturally, there were tons of
runners, also. Amazing. Vida seems to have things on track at
the moment.
My next marathon is Boston on Patriots’ Day, 21 April 2014.
That promises to be one awesome event. I predict many a
tear will be shed: in the start area, along the course and at
the finish.
Can’t wait!
Orange Running Festival
Linda Bushell
Patricia Cretin (a fellow Strider) and I drove to Orange on
Friday evening. Orange is a beautiful country town with
delicious food and coffee everywhere! A lovely place for a
weekend away, not too far from Sydney.
The running festival was held over Saturday and Sunday with
2km, 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon
events. Patricia and I raced the half marathon on Sunday
morning. The course is beautiful and scenic. Running temperature was perfect too! The event was very well run with
lots of happy and helpful volunteers and courtesy 5-10min
massages for competitors tired bodies after the event!
We will be back next year!
After Chicago, I went to check out Vida’s new freshman world
at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. A truly wonderful place, Duke is blessed with stunning natural beauty
and an awesome built environment. The main drawcard,
however, is the calibre of the staff and students. Really sterling stuff. One of the chemistry professors received the Nobel
prize in 2012. The athletics dept is top-heavy with former
Olympians and Olympic coaches, managers, etc. Vida seems
to be bleeding blue, a true Blue Devil, as they say at Duke! It
was nice to meet some of Vida’s friends but as she had classes to attend, I got to spend a fair amount of time exploring
by myself. The place buzzes with people Doing Stuff. I went
out for a run at 6:45 am on Sunday morning; there were so
many students out training: baseball, track, lacrosse, basket22
Mojo, Interrupted
One runner’s reflections on the highs and lows of a
running life
Rachael McKinney
I’m a runner. I’ve been a runner since 2009. Even though my
first race in Sydney was actually in August 2008 (C2S), and
once a few years earlier I ran a half marathon, I wasn’t really
a runner then; more a fit person experimenting with running.
But as I said, now, I’m a runner.
I’m also an accountant, and after five years of regular running
you can imagine I’ve got some pretty nifty spreadsheets logging my every kilometre (even the guesstimates for those
times when I put aside the Garmin and ran to ‘feel’). So when
it came time for last year’s annual review I was able to look a
little further back - numbers like five will do that to you – and
reflect on a solid career of running: an annual average of
about 2500km, a significant number of race finishes across
the spectrum from 5km to 100km, and the odd bit of age
group bling thrown in for good measure. Not too shabby, I
thought. Shabby or not it seems you can’t take anything for
granted in the world of running – especially your Mojo.
But take it for granted I did, so you can imagine my shock
when I got home from a recent holiday and I realised that not
only was I nowhere near on track for my annual average of
2500km – but I was at risk of concluding that I was, in fact,
NO LONGER A RUNNER!!
Almost 3 months into the year and all I had to show for it was
16 runs totalling 163km. (I told you my records were good).
That’s an average of just over 10km a week! (I told you I was
an accountant). Quickly ascertaining that I wasn’t in fact recovering from injury (I wasn’t) I realised the problem: I’d lost
my Mojo. And I mean lost it. Not just misplaced-it-for-a-weekor-two-it’ll-turn-up-soon-enough lost it, I mean I-haven’t-theslightest-idea-what-it even-looks-like-anymore lost it.
Me at the Central Coast Half Marathon in 2013
Yes I’ve always been into the gym, but as a supplement to my
running. Body Pump™ for strength and Body Attack™ to build
agility. Little did I realise when I signed that membership form
in triplicate that poring over class timetables would take over
from planning out 9-week half marathon training programs.
But then I went on holiday. Three weeks of no gym (or running) just holiday. And when I got back just as quickly as it
had disappeared there it was, admittedly looking more than a
little bit neglected but unmistakeable all the same, my Mojo.
Don’t know where it went but its back and I’m running again
just like old times and not asking too many questions. It
seems my Mojo wasn’t lost after all, just interrupted.
Ok so I’m exaggerating I mean those 163km didn’t run themselves, but they were an afterthought in a year so far dominated by Body Attack™, Body Pump™, Body Balance™ and
Body I-don’t-care-what-you’re-calling-it-I’ll-be-there. Les Mills
had become my new Hal Higdon and I hadn’t even realised!
I should have seen the signs. I started playing fast and loose
with my Mojo back in November last year after I took advantage of a work deal that gave me a free month at a gym
near the office (you know the one – its everywhere). Soon I
had chucked in membership at my old difficult to get to gym
and joined up. Seduced by the ease of a 45 minute lunchtime
session, hitting the snooze button was no longer a guarantor
of guilt; I could just head to the gym later in the day and still
get a workout in!
...and I am back! (with Manal Garcia)
23
The North Face Tour des
Glaciers de la Vanoise
(TGV) Stefica Key
An anxious knot in the pit of my stomach was all I could think
about as the bus we were travelling on wound its way on
narrow roads towards our destination in Pralognan, a small
village in the French Alps. Outside, the grey skies and misted
in mountain peaks hid what awaited Mike the next day.
What have I done?
Six months earlier on a warm Sydney Sunday morning I
searched for races in France that would coincide with our
long talked about 20th wedding anniversary celebration holiday to Europe – nothing too long or too hilly Mike said.
Haa…haaa soon I found the perfect race - The North Face
Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise (TGV). Sounded perfect, the
sort of race I would dearly have loved to have done: 75km of
pure mountain running heaven, circumnavigating a glacier in
the Vanoise National Park and the entry fee was only 70 Euros. The race was limited to 500 runners, the timing was
perfect, and after much discussion about how perfect this is
going to be, Mike agreed to enter.
Fast forward to 29 June 2013 and we were on the bus headRace briefing
ing to Pralognan for the race briefing. It was cold, raining
and a heavy mist hung low in the valley obscuring much of
the surroundings, not what I imagined. Google images of the
Vanoise region in July promised summery, sunny blue skies
and flower covered mountain vistas that stretch out forever.
I was now seriously concerned: in addition to the usual ultra
-race logistics of nutrition and hydration, we added language
barrier, unfamiliar course, steep mountainous terrain and
unpredictable weather – so many unknowns.
After settling into our apartment we found race registration
and at this point there was no turning back, whatever the
weather. Race briefing was at 6.30pm and by that time the
rain had stopped and the clouds started to recede. Race day
was predicted to be clear. We did not understand much of
the race briefing except that due to the late season snow
covering much of the original course, the race was re-routed
and will now be 65km with around 3,700m of elevation gain.
Race start
Race morning was just as predicted, no rain and not overly
cold. Pre-race energy was like any other race where runners
nervously pace about, eager to get underway and get the job
done. The race got underway about 5.20am. The re-routed
course looped through town which was great for spectators
to be able to see runners later in the day.
24
touristy hoopla of its more popular neighbours. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a professional and well
organised race, set in a stunning alpine landscape and challenging mountainous terrain, without waitlists or entry lottery
or high entry fees.
Picture postcard perfect day
And what a glorious day it turned out to be. As the morning
progressed, the clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine. The
valley setting was so beautiful I could not stop myself from
taking pictures just about everywhere I looked. Picture postcard perfection, just like Google images promised.
Glacial lake on the way to Col de Vanoise.
Google translation of the race website promised “More than
exceptional sporting challenge, the TGV is a friendly event
around the trail in a true spirit "Mountain". A trail where the
beauty of the course is at the height of his trouble!” Spot on.
Check it out if you happen to be in France on the 5 and 6 July
2014 http://trailsvanoise.wix.com/pralognan
Cheeky marmots
As for the race, Mike had a ball. The course was so well
marked with fluoro paint on the ground – there was no
chance of getting lost. The aid stations were well stocked,
other runners were friendly and communication was not a
major problem. The amazing alpine scenery was obviously
the highlight of the race, along with cheeky marmots in the
alpine meadows. The most beautiful part of the course was
also the highest point where the race route traversed a suspended glacial lake, with stepping stones providing access
across.
The race was won by an ex-BMX bike rider who recently converted to trail running, Yvan Diot in a time of 7:08:22 and the
first female was Laureline Gaussens in time of 8:17:41. Mike
crossed the finish line in 12:08:03.
We stayed in Pralogan for a week after the race and hiked
much of the surrounding National Park. While the neighbouring Chamonix , Courcheval and Val d’Isere get all the attention, Pralognan offers stunning Alpine landscapes without the
Mike on his way to the finish line
25
Juniors’ Corner
Tony Wong and Greg Constantine
Training and membership
Monday night training continues at Sydney Academy of
Sport, Narrabeen at 6.00 pm. The cost is $5.40 for the use
of the track and to be paid at the gate.
We currently have 85 members. Mid-week training will be
either on Wednesday or Thursday at 6.00pm and the venue will vary. Please email us for further details at
juniors@sydneystriders.org.au.
NSW Junior Athletics Championships 7-9 February 2014
This was our most successful NSW Junior Athletics Championships ever, with 5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Josh Phillips opened our account with a bronze in the Under 16 Boys 3000m in 9.28.62, less than 2 seconds ahead
of team mate Lachlan Cooper. Further back, were Jack
Mills and Fraser McKinley who both had solid runs.
Tessa Constantine exploding out of her blocks in the NSW Under 16
Girls 400m Championships
Our first gold medal of the weekend was won by Daniel
Franken in the U18 Boys 3k in a time of 9.13.75.
Lachlan Cooper added a bronze to the tally on day 2 in a
tightly finished Under 16 Boys 800m in 2.02.21. Liam Gorman ran 2.15.52 in his heat.
In the Under 20 Boys 3k Steeplechase David Gardiner won
silver in 10.36.36 while Daniel Francken added a silver to
his gold from day 1 in the Under 18 Boys 1500 in a time of
4.07.09.
In the 2K steeplechase Paul Loader and Adam Halmy won
silver and bronze in 6.41.26 and 6.48.07. With his usual
late run, Lachlan Cooper came through strongly to claim
gold in the Under 16 Boys 1500 in 4.18.66. Fraser McKinley
was 5th in 4.45.55.
Beth Murray, our only field event athlete in these Championships, was 22nd in the Under 16 Girls Long Jump with
4.13m.
In the Under 20 Girls 400m, Bethany Halmy came 5th in a
PB of 58.00 while in the Under 14 Girls 200m, Sophie Wickham ran 27.95 in her heat.
Having won a silver medal in the 800m, Edita Grinbergs
took gold in the Under 14 Girls 400m in 59.15.
Daniel Francken in action in the NSW under 18 Boys Championship
26
Tessa Constantine, who was still 14 won gold in the Under
18 Girls 400m hurdles final in a time of 1.06.15. Tessa also
came 8th in the Under 16 girls 400m.
In the Under 20 Girls 800m, Bethany Halmy missed out on
a place in the final by less than a second in 2.21.55 while
Paul Loader came 5th in his heat in 2.04.41 in the Under 18
Boys 800m.
Sophie Gocher was 5th in the Under 14 Girls 1500m in
5.03.31. Sophie Wickham came 4th in 32.90 in the Under
14 Girls 200m Hurdles.
13 year old Liam Gorman came 4th in the Under 16 Boys
2k Steeplechase in 7.01.56 while Jack Mills on his debut in
the event came 9th in 7.18.98. Amelia Gorman was 4th in
the Under 20 Girls 3k Steeplechase in 12:43.
Australian Junior Track and Field Championships 12-16
March 2014
The event started with a huge honour for Strider Bethany
Halmy who was asked to represent the athletes at the
cutting of the cake to celebrate the 20th anniversary of
Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre opening.
There were mixed fortunes for the 11 Junior Striders who
made it to their respective start lines. This event was held
at the end of a very long season, some efforts were hampered by injuries and illness in the lead up to these Championships.
Top: Edita Grinbergs with her gold medal in the Australian Under 14
girls 400m Championship. Below: Lachlan Cooper, Australian Under
16 Boys 1500m Champion.
However, this is a qualification only competition so the
effort everyone put in just to make the State team is a
massive achievement. Having said that we now have 2 National champions.
Edita Grinbergs, in the Under 14 Girls 400m and Lachlan
Cooper in the Under 16 Boys 1500m. Edita also won silver
in the 800m and Bethany Halmy won a bronze in the Under 20 4x400m relay. Edita’s 400m win was our second
ever gold medal in these Championships and a new junior
club record of 57.57.
The 400m event is popular with Strider girls with solid runs
by Bethany Halmy in the under 20 girls in 58.30 and Tessa
Constantine in the under 16 girls in 59.18. The NSW under
18 Girls 400m hurdles Champion went on to finish 4th in
the Under 17 Girls 400H.
Having won the 400m, Edita Grinbergs went on to claim a
silver medal in the under 14 girls 800m in a time of 2.13.24
which is also a junior club record. Sophie Gocher came 8th
in her heat of 2.26.25.
27
Lachlan Cooper claimed gold in a tactical and physical under 16 boys 1500m final. Lachlan made his move on the last
lap in 60s flat, finishing in the winning time of 4.14.28.
Tessa having her spike length check by an official before being allowed to step onto the track to compete in her event in the Australian Championships.
Bethany Halmy setting off in the first leg of the Australian Under 20
Female 4x400m
In the Steeplechases, Adam Halmy and Paul Loader were
10th and 12th in the under 18 boys 2k event. Their times
were 6.42.86 and 6.54.01 while Liam Gorman, nursing an
injured foot came 8th in 7.28.53. Amelia Gorman in her first
year of Steeplechase came 12th in the under 20 girls 3k
event in a time of 12.49.46. Daniel Francken had a solid
weekend of racing in the under 18 boys with a 9.12.44
3000m and a 4.10.02 in the final of the 1500m. Finally David Gardiner, having recovered from illness earlier in the
week had the opportunity to run as part of the Sydney
Track Classic. Despite a huge thunderstorm he went on to
finish in a new PB of 10.25.29.
RESULTS ROUND UP
Josh Phillips won the Australian All Schools under 16 Boys
2k Steeplechase in 6.14 back in December. Lachlan Cooper
set a NSW under 16 boys record in the 1 mile Championship in 4.30.32. In the NSW 5000m Championships, Joe
Jones was the first junior home in 17.48.83. Becky Rogers
won the F15-18 category in the Sydney Trail Running Series
10k in Manly Dam in March, having finished 2nd in the February event.
(Left) Adam Halmy and Paul Loader attacking the water jump in the Nationals Under 18
Boys 2k steeplechase; (right) Striders squad at the Sydney Track Classic
28
Get down and give me 10!
10 quick questions with junior Strider Tom Davies
Greg Constantine
GC: We are at Homebush warm up track on a Friday night
for the NSW Little A’s State Championships. Hi Tom,
thanks for your time, I know you are about to warm up for
your 3k race.
TD: No problem.
GC: How old are you and what school do you go to?
TD: I’m 12 years old and I’m in year 7 at Sydney Grammar.
GC: How long have you been a Strider?
TD: A little over 2 years.
GC: What’s your favourite event?
TD: The 3k.
GC: What’s the best thing about being a Strider?
TD: It’s always fun at training even when the sessions are
hard. Also, everyone in the group is really friendly. It’s a
pretty cool group.
GC: Do you have a best strider mate?
TD: I like them all but Daniel Cooper is a great mate.
GC: At this time of year there are plenty of kids carrying
injuries, how are you holding up?
Tom Davies at the NSW 3k Championship in November
TD: Yeah great, fit and healthy and ready to go.
GC: What has been the highest level you have represented
at?
TD: I went to National Cross Country last year, which was
pretty awesome.
GC: You compete in many different events on road/crosscountry/track, what’s your favourite surface to run on?
TD: I like Cross Country the best. I’m only a little guy so being light on your feet helps you run in the mud or soft
ground. I feel like it gives me an advantage.
GC: What’s your preferred brand of running shoe?
TD: That’s an easy one. Nike.
GC: Where will running take you? What’s the Tom Davies
dream?
TD: Well, definitely the Olympics one day and maybe represent Australia at World Cross Country. When I get a bit older, of course.
GC: Of Course! Thanks Tom and best of luck, go get’em!
Footnote to interview, an hour after this interview
Tom came 2nd in his 3k race. Well done Tom!
AND FINALLY…
Looking ahead...
Start of the ANSW Winter Series!
We had our first pizza night on the 27 March after training
complete with lucky door prizes and quiz as well as an impromptu committee meeting amongst the hard core parents chaired by Ben Sinclair.
29
TomTom MTG Corner
Tony Kellner
dent. Fantastic effort by everyone to finish their First (for
most) Marathon.
The times below are indicative only, as no official results are
available at the time of writing the report. Any errors or omissions are apologised for in advance.
Your TomTom MTG leaders: Shika Raju, Tony Kellner,
and Joe Degabriele
This is our first Marathon Training Group going through with
our new sponsor TomTom, who supported the Group with
encouragement awards and promotions throughout the season.
|Tony Kellner 3:47:55|Katherine McSweeney 4:02:53|Lisa
Bovill 4:04:09|Tricia Gresham 4:04:35|Lina Nguyen
4:07:25|Priyaneetha Paquet 4:16:14|Millie Smith
4:21:52|Balvinder Young 4:29:32|Joe Degabriele
4:30:07|Silvia Lee 4:30:36 |Michelle Ng 4:36:05|Rick Collins
5:07:26|Andre Daisy Macchi 5:21:02|Marliyn Lewis 5:39:00|
On a personal note, I would like to thank Joe Degabriele for
helping with the running of the MTG, especially the Greyhounds. With Phil and Mary off injured, Joe filled in with the
organisation and encouragement of the Group – Thanks Joe,
and I hope the injury clears up quickly!
Canberra turned on a fantastic morning for the marathon,
clear skies with no wind. The MTG turned up nice and early
and were clearly jumping out of their skins and ready to run.
The new course was fantastic and very scenic. There were a
few out and back sections along the course where I was able
to see how the MTG were running. At the points I could see
them they all looked very strong and in control.
As the day progressed, it became fairly warm, but it didn’t
seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the Group – they were all
looking cool, calm and collected. There were a few hills along
the back section of the course, but after all the hills and thrills
in the training runs, no hills were going to get in the Group’s
way!
All too soon the finish line appeared. The looks of exhaustion
were soon replaced by looks of joy and exhilaration, with a
massive sense of achievement. The camaraderie within the
Group, built up after many weeks of training, was clearly evi-
Next stop, after a few weeks recovery, is the Sydney Marathon in September. Bring it on!!
For updates, join our Facebook page “Sydney Striders
TomTom MTG” or email mtg@sydneystriders.org.au
30
The Super Series
April Palmerlee
The Super Series has a tradition of recognising and rewarding Striders’ efforts over a range of distance events
throughout the year. Originally conceived by Life Member
Kevin O’Kane in the 1990s, the series now comprises some
30 events throughout the calendar year, with distances
ranging from 10km to 100km. Locations vary from the CBD
to regional NSW and even interstate. The races are held
on roads, trails, and athletics tracks.
There are several Striders-only events, as well as events
put on by large corporations and small non-profits. The
fields range from 80,000 to under 100. With so many
different options, hundreds of Striders have found enjoyment in participating in these events each year.
The points structure has also been re-calibrated to ensure
that points are awarded fairly, taking into account distance, difficulty and size of event. At the end of the year, a
member’s eight best events are tallied for a final point
score, taking into account bonus points received for registering as a member of a Strider’s team or for tackling a
more challenging event. Winners are awarded in each age
category. Eligibility for prizes hinges on the member being
current financially and having completed volunteer service
during that year.
This year has already seen some spectacular events, with
the members-only Equaliser kicking things off in February,
closely followed by the iconic Six Foot Track Marathon.
The month of April sees several Super Series events taking
place: Lindfield Rotary Fun Run (6 April), Australian Running Festival in Canberra (13 April), Running Wild’s Mount
Solitary ultra (26 April), and Sydney Marathon Clinic’s
30km (27 April).
This year, we have increased our efforts to make participation in Super Series events enjoyable by seeking discounts
from race directors, as well as arranging for places for
Striders to gather before and after the events. We have
had very good responses from many of the race organisers, who are keen to show their appreciation for the support the club gives to their events. In addition to the three
series events that are free to members, we have also been
able to secure discounts from: the Canberra Marathon,
Canberra Half-marathon, and Canberra Ultra-marathon;
the SMC 30km; the Gold Coast Marathon and the Gold
Coast Half-Marathon; the Westlink M7 Cities Marathon
and Westlink M7 Cities Half-marathon; and Carcoar Cup.
Other arrangements are in the works.
Members who have questions or suggestions for the Super
Series are encouraged to contact our Co-ordinator, April
Palmerlee at superseries@sydneystriders.org.au.
The series continues to grow and evolve, in line with members’ interests and participation. Last year saw the expansion of the series from eight events to 30. This year, a
wildcard marathon and half marathon have been added
to the events, so members may submit their times from
any qualifying event anywhere in the world.
31
DID YOU KNOW...
Lisa Bovill and Shika Raju
1. Exercise has been shown to significantly improve
memory and cognitive ability.
5. Long distance runners have a higher percentage of
body fat than sprinters. Marathon runners are essentially skinny-fat people!
Exercises to burn fat (M. Drielsma 2011)
***
The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A 6. Drinking coffee before your run can improve
your performance and drinking coffee after
meta-analysis (Y. K. Chang et al. 2012)
your run can aid recovery.
***
Caffeine and Running (Runnersconnect 2011)
2. Glucose is your body’s preferred energy source. When
***
your body runs out of glucose, it takes protein from your
muscles for energy (breaking down your muscle tissue). 7. A good post-run snack is chocolate milk. The protein
in the milk repairs cells and the sugar from the milk and
Don’t Quit Sugar (C. Platt 2013)
chocolate replenishes your body’s glucose stores.
***
Got Milk? Try Chocolate After Your Workout (K. L. Philips
3. You can experience the same kind of high from run2010)
ning that you can get from smoking marijuana...
***
Endocannabinoids and exercise (A. Dietrich 2004)
8. If you shorten your stride, you can actually run faster!
***
Women’s Running Magazine, Nov/Dec 2013 issue
4. Research suggests central nervous system fatigue
***
causes a runner to “hit the wall” rather than muscle re9. Weigh yourself before and after your run – you should
lated fatigue. To combat this during a race, consume
aim to drink 1 litre of fluid for every kilogram you’ve lost.
carbohydrates and caffeine and avoid fatty foods.
Serotonin and central nervous system fatigue: nutritional Women’s Running Magazine
considerations (J.M. Davis et al. 2000)
Nov/Dec 2013 issue, p. 69
Angus Webber (left) won in the U16
at the Manly Fun Run 2013, picture
here with Prime Minister Tony
Abbott and friend James Grant.
Q. What do you do if a
Strider forgets something?
A. Try to Jog his or her
memory!
(Courtesy of Nigel Huband)
Have a run-derful
Easter break!
From the Blister team
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