APRIL 18TH TO 24TH 2015
“To provide a one off Ultra race of significance to all Australians to help commemorate 100 years since the ANZACS landed at Gallipoli”
The ANZAC Ultra 2015 will be the Australian Ultra running community’s way of remembering 100 years since the ANZACS were forged on to the Battlefield in Gallipoli. Commemorating 100 years since the original “Cooee March“ started at Gilgandra.
The ANZAC Ultra 2015 will be timed to start on the 18th April 2015 at Gilgandra and finish in Hyde Park in NSW.
The event will be a 7 day staged running race closely retracing the original route taken by the soldiers on the “Cooee March” in 1915.
This is all subject to ascertaining NSW Police permission prior to the Event. Email myself at pandbessam @ bigpond . com (close the gaps) for further details.
There are several people helping me with the Event. They are: Natalie Watson, Kevin Heaton, Sandra Howorth, Jessica Robson, Aaron Mailey, Hunter Dodds , Dean Cox, Heather Andrews and Caner Odabasoglu.
SUPPORT LEGACY
Proposed route
Race Options
Social Media and Other website references
Further Race Details
Fundraising Campaign for Startup costs
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Hey mate really think we dont need prize money or if so maybe like 1000 for first and Thats it. It should be more about the fundraising ad promotion of anzac day the rsl and legacy. Also I think keeping it at the best qualified runners will do more damage to the race than if it was more accessible to the general public, I have mentioned this race to a few of my old army mates and they would love to do something like this, they could easily do the distance but would never qualify. I think the ppl it would attract as it is are ppl just after the prize money, and just another race to add to there resume. I think invites should go out to certain top Australian and nz runners also an invite to a certain number of aust and nz troops and then as all other races aslong as u have passed a certain qualifier then first in best dressed followed by a waitlist.
Thanx fr reading mate and I hope this can help
I think this is a great idea. As a serving soldier I would love to compete in something like this but will never be classed as good enough based on your original idea. Perhaps qualifying standards that are attainable – 24 hours/160k’s, finishing C2K in cutoff time, etc.\I also agree with Josh’s ideas about inviting the best runners and shrinking the prize purse/raising money – you could get the RSL, Legacy and Defence on board for sure.
Please keep us updated on the progress of this event.
Also, get our Kiwi mates involved.
Some good points some so so,
Great concept, if we can help promote it let us know.
Best qualified runners, mmmm, dont make it an elite event, that will only take focus away from the fact that you are raising funds/awareness for legacy, besides that prize money could go to legacy.
Qualifying, well thats me out, 160k in 24hrs, how about 100.
Build it, they will come.
Look at The North Face 100, an event i have been proud to be part of since the start, it grows and grows. OK so its taken 3 years to get the numbers it now has, and i guess this would be more one off as no one would plan on being around for the 2115 event
but get it right and it something your grandkids will remember pop doing to help support our diggers from 200 years ago. (in 2115 that is)
Great Idea Phil would love to be able to compete 4 years away I would be 71 as an X soldier i feel strongly that the memory of those that gave their all for the sake of others is a worthy cause.
Ths is a great site good on ya.
I would have thought a lot of the ultra community would love to participate. Here’s a similar event, although probably more Perhaps entry fees could be minimised if volunteers (eg St Johns) provided first aid en route.
http://www.extrememarathons.com/augrabies/
I’m quite interested in this…and there’s a lot of time to train.
Hey Phil,
Just wondering if you have found a Race Director yet. Would love to have a chat about this.
Kind Regards
Gary Mullins
Gary, send me an email to planetultramarathon @ gmail .com (close the gaps)
Hi Phil, wonderful to see this is back on the radar. It has such potential.
Regarding qualifying standards:
* Steve is way off the mark with 100km in 24 hours as opposed to 160km. If a runner can’t run 160km in 24 hours, they would be very unlikely to finish 98km on day 3, then have time to eat, sleep and recover effectively to run well the next day.
*Steve H, you say “finishing C2K in cutoff time” as if it is relatively easy. It is one of the the hardest ultras in Australia. To earn a start at C2K, one has to be an experienced ultra runner, with 100 mile experience mandatory next year. C2k is considerably tougher than the Cooee March will be.
Phil, keep your entry standards fairly rigorous. You will be less likely to attract those with little idea and you will have fewer “problem” runners during the event, placing a strain on resources. Higher entry standards (eg 100 miles in 24 hours) may be set that need not exclude slower runners, but effectively weed out many of those who are ill prepared.
The Cooee March is a great concept, so even if you limit the field to several 100 runners, you may well be over-subscribed. Selecting runners on merit and higher qualifying standards will make your job easier than having lower qualifying standards and /or entry on first-in, best-dressed basis.
Paul,
Thanks very much for your kind words. Very much appreciated. I will probably spend the next 6 months selling the race at RSL / Centenery Committee level and the build from there. Talk in a few days.
Regards
Phil
Hi Phil, congrats for the idea commemorating the thousands fallen at Gallipoli – no matter for which flag. Ultra running only for a year but trying to spread it in Turkey, I’m excited with your project. Hard to promise how to manage the travel, but please post the details. Also, why not organising a similiar event near the venue, maybe combined with the memorial day events at Gallipoli, in April.
Regards,
Caner,
Thankyou for your interest. Much appreciated. I think it would be fantastic if we had a team of runners from Turkey competing in the event. I like your idea of the events at Gallipoli as well, sends a shiver down my spine, but think I will concentrate on this first.
Phil
On the topic of entry requirements. Very few people would have had the opportunity to do a 24hr race (only 1 here in NZ on a track) to allow them to qualify. Maybe completing a 100km race (such as North Nace in Aussy or Tarawera in NZ) would be a more suitable way to demonstrate entry ability. It is also near impossible to compare times between races due to terrain.
Kate, Thanks for the comment. Each individual case and circumstance will be on its merit. The bigger your running resume is, the more chance you will have of getting a start!
Hi, Phil!
Really a great and challenging event!! Being a novice ultra runner, I may not be eligible for the event right now but who knows, there are still two years left!
Keep on guiding/blessing me, too (like you have done to legendary Indian Ultra runner, Mr. Arun Bhardwaj)!
We wish huge success to your proposed 2015 event!
Best regards and greetings from India!
Shail, New Delhi
Would be interested in helping this get up and running and promoting it through the ADF. Have you had any contact from someone in Defence? If not I’m happy to do what i can. Would also be interested in entering a Army team if I could get a team qualified. Please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Darran
This is a fantastic idea. I’m totally on board to participate in the full option and I’m happy to help in any way I can in the lead up. Let me know what you need to make this happen, Phil. Thanks for initiating this race. Looks awesome and I’m very excited.
Wow i really want run that race!! À great idea!!
I have à lot of time to train, but it’s a very nice goal to finish the 7 day stage race!
Kind regards from Holland,
Joppe Boon
running multi day races is mostly about endurance training running 100 miles in 24 hrs doesn’t mean you have endurance or experience to run multi days i have run 17 six day races and seen most 24 hr runners and trail runners fail to match up to the task of backing up day after day my best 24hr is only 170kms about 12 years ago but since then have run slow times but still have the endurance to beat most of the trail runners and 24hr runners in multi days as are most multi runners they are totally different races believe me or check out the failures of 24 hr fast runners in the records of Colac six day races over the years the army has to have a team running plus servicemen it doesn’t matter about times it is a recognition of Australian sacrifices over time my family lost members in war so count me in over 70 and member Colac R S L
Hi John,
Thanks for your comments and feedback. It is much appreciated. The biggest problem for the race will be getting permission from the Police , getting a reasonable number allowed to enter the event and getting a reasonable time frame from the Police for the runners to finish the event each day. That is why we will need to have some sort of vetting process in place for the event. It might not be a 100 miles in 24hrs but “demonstrated ultra ability”. Then we will be able to assess those that have done well at the 48hr, C2K and other multi day events up against 24hr runners that have done 160km plus. But your feedback is appreciated and you know that I will always listen and try and act!
Relay event – yes hopefully we can pull that off and have Defence and Civi teams competing in a Relay style event as well. Lot of work to be done with the Defence Department in that respect.
Yes please tell the Colac RSL about this, the ACT RSL already know about it, along with the ANZAC Centenary Committee and a Committee from the NSW RSL.
A long way to go yet, getting Police permission will be the big hurdle, but I will give it a red hot go!
Regards
Phil
PS – It would be nice to see you at the starting line.
the army cadets could be utilized for drink stations and camping tents at each stop they have a lot of equipment Colac six day committee used them for tents but being an event i think they would be pleased to be involved including cooking meals etc look into these possibilities they have mobile kitchens
Thnaks John, didnt notice that you had replied! sorry. Yes, the Cadets are a definite way to go, Ill keep plugging with the “In the Front door”approach to the Defence Dept first and if thats no good, plan b! (I sent you an email as well)
Hi Phil, awesome ANZAC project. Can we correspond privately about the race organisation. I may be able to assist. My email is thebodhisatva@gmail.com. Look forward to touching base. Matt