TENTH ANNUAL BANANA COAST ELECTRICS ULTRA-MARATHON
May 3rd, 1992, from Coffs Harbour to Grafton – 85kms.
by Steel Beveridge
Ideal running conditions prevailed throughout this year’s event, with cool overcast weather which stopped just short of rain, and Yes, there was a following breeze. Mind you, great conditions are only as advantageous as your own condition makes them.
Geoff Boase made the most of both the weather and his self-confessed improved fitness to score a resounding victory. He not only knocked nearly twenty minutes off his time last year, he reduced the course record from Coff s Harbour to Grafton by eight and a half minutes into the bargain. As well, he became the third runner to post back to back wins.
Although it was fellow Queenslander. Cliff French, who crossed the finish line in second spot,
Boase’s early company had been former two-time winner, Jim Bennington. Bennington had held the previous record for the northern journey and was not about to give it, or the chance for a third win, up without a fight. French, however, is a noted strong finisher, and after catching Bennington 20K from the finish, pushed on to claim second place very comfortably.
Fourth went to Bill Joannou, as it had done last year. Bill and Maurice Taylor saw quite a lot of each other during the race, with Maurice coming in 7 minutes adrift at the end, thanks in part to a scenic detour near the finish line. It was not made clear if it was Bill’s map that Maurice read upside-down, or if that was the way it was given to him. One good thing, having been second fastest to Melbourne last year, Maurice is a very patient and forgiving gentleman as well as being well able to go a bit further than the rest of us.
Dipping under the 8.5 hours were Sydney-siders, Dan Narain and Phil Clarke with even less between them than the earlier two. Much later, the rear guard arrived. Isn’t it amazing how slow you can travel whilst still believing that you’re running? Mark Foley, recovering from a virus, Trudi Kidd and myself all survived this one.
Now next year …. the event from Grafton to Coff s will be on May 2nd, 1993, starting at 6am from the Grafton Post office.
RESULTS:
1. Geoff Boase 6.31.49 7. Phil Clarke 8.28.43
2. Cliff French 7.10.38 8. Steel Beveridge 9.20.19
3. Jim Bennington 7.29.09 9. Mark Foley 9.46.43
4. Bill Joannou 7.58.12 10. Trudi Kidd 10.08.42
5. Maurice Taylor 8.05.00 11. Stephen Lewis 13.19.10
6. Dan Narain •= -8.24.02
Tags: Australia, Ultra history
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Tags: Australia, Ultra history
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