ALBANY TO PERTH, WA – 560KM

To all AURA runners,
Get your running shoes out and enter those 24 Hour runs! I lost interest because there was no Sydney to Melbourne. The present longest road race in Australia of 560kms – the Albany to Perth, is far better, but your only problem will be to get into it. It’s in West Australia and is to raise money for kids and is organised by Channel 7 TV as part of their Telethon Appeal.
This year in the second event, it was from Albany to Perth via the scenic route. The first half of the run was hilly, but worse than the hills in my opinion, was the camber of the road on some of those hills. The race was handicapped to try to get all runners to finish within a four hour period, where a street party was being held in the night club district of Perth.
The field is by invitation only and is influenced a lot by Ross Parker, who would be known by most Westfield runners. Ross is the originator of the event. In 1992, the run was Geraldton to Perth – 8 runners, 4 from the east and 4 locals, with 5 finishers (4 of them from the west). Bryan Smith was the winner, with Joe Record being first over the line.
This year, 9 runners, 6 from the east and 3 locals resulted in 7 finishers (3 from the west). Bryan Smith was again the winner. First over the line was Georgina McConnell. (They are tough in the west. Did you notice 100% finished!)
Why is this race the best? Well, when were you in a run where you had your van and petrol supplied, plus food, accommodation, and transport to and from the event? There were also rooms at towns we passed through where the runners could have a shower and a bit of sleep. Of course it was first come, first served, and I must thank Georgina for warming the bed up for me. Also, the timing of the event is important. The Telethon is run over the weekend, so they start the runners off so that they will arrive on the Saturday.
So you need one week off and you can do the run and be back at work if you need to by the following Monday. I have done two Westfields and 3 Colac races and can say without a doubt that this is at least as good as event.
So get into those running shoes and prove yourself in the 24 Hour races, or find out if Ross is open to bribes. The weather for the race was great and it was a top run.
Condolences to Maurice Taylor who did his hamstring in during a pre-race group start for television, and Wanda Foley, who was a bit light on training, but nevertheless put up a great effort.
George Audley.

The first runner to leave Albany was Wanda Foley, the last Bryan Smith, 31 hours later…, a lot of time to make up in 560km! The course followed the Leewin Way, through the south west, through some of the most scenic country in the south of WA, and more importantly to the runners, the coolest. The big disadvantage was the hills, especially the two between Bridgetown and Donneybrook, one up, one down, but both have to be seen to be believed. They are enormous.
Maurice Taylor had the misfortune to pull a hamstring before the event. The only other casualty was Wanda Foley, who retired with exhaustion. Bryan Smith had the fastest time as expected, and Georgina McConnell made line honours. She ran very strongly over the last day, her crew having to constantly amend her estimated time of arrival. At the start of the day, they expected her to fmish about 10.30pm but she finally made it around 5.30pm! The runners were accompanied by their vans to the Entertainment Centre in Perth. The vans were parked there and runners and crew then ran to Northbridge, the night club area, where Channel 7 had a street party for Telethon. The finish was then televised. Unfortunately, only George Audley and Mark Pritchard made it in for the party. Georgina was too early and the rest were too late!
All press cuttings from the Albany Advertiser by courtesy of George Audley, unless marked otherwise. The Perth press gave very poor coverage to what could become a great race. It was organised by Ross Parker and sponsored by Channel 7 and Hungry Jacks.
Charlie Spare.
RESULTS – FASTEST TIMES
1. Bryan SMITH    86 hours 17 min.                     5. George AUDLEY    99 hours 05 min.
2. Tony COLLINS    93 hours 20 min                   6. Mark PRITCHARD    100 hours 50 min.
3. Brickley HEPBURN    94 hours 05 min,        7. Ross PARKER    103 hours 30 min.
4. Georgina McCONNELL 98 hours 27 min.

Tags: Australia, Ultralegends

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• February 25, 2010 -- Albany to Perth – 1994

Tags: Australia, Ultralegends