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
Archive for the ‘Banana Coast’ Category
BANANA COAST ELECTRICS ULTRA-MARATHON 1993.
by Steel Beveridge
What a race it was! Geoff Boase did it again, but not without a really gutsy effort over the fmal five kilometres. The television news’ film showed the relief Geoff experienced as he crossed the finish line in Coil’s Harbour, claiming an unprecedented third win in a row. By the time I finished some two and a half hours later, the drama of Geoff s duel with Mark Steinberg was long over, but both gave credit to the other fi an enthralling race.
Geoff went out hard, forging an early and convincing lead. Fellow Queenslander, Asim Mesalic appeared to be the danger for much of the early going, but Mark Steinberg was working on an even, or perhaps a negative split, and it was he who joined Geoff at 60 kilometres.
From there on, the race was most definitely joined. It had all the hallmarks of the classic confrontations of sport –youth versus experience (Mark is 25, Geoff is 42), the defending champ versus the first-timer, and, (dare it be said) Queensland versus NSW.
Both runners knew about “Red Hill” but only Geoff had run down it before. Nobody’s legs enjoy a steep downhill after 80 kilometres. Geoff drew on his reserves and moved away, willing himself to the line. Fortunately for those able to see N.B.N. News later in the week, the images of the contest and the victory were clearly conveyed.
As a participant and an organiser, I hope the race next year is just as gripping, but I am sure neither Mark nor Geoff need quite such a contest, despite its bringing out the best in each other this time.
Generally speaking, the event proved successful with 10 entries, nine starters and seven finishers, although we would like to see more North Coast (NSW) runners step up in distance and ‘have a go’. Personally, I would prefer more slower runners, but entries from fast runners will be accepted as well.
The spread in this race was quite comprehensive. In addition to the three sub 7 hour runners, there was Bob Channells of Bowraville in 7.58.28 (He was backing up after the Australian 100km Track), Bill Joannou – 8:45:28 (Bill may have slowed a little by having to answer his mobile phone so often), me in 9:16:54 and Wayne Ward in 11:17:0 (Wayne battled ‘flu all the way in a very gutsy effort which we hope did not take too great a toll on his future health and well-being)
Next year, the start’s in Coff s Harbour at 6.00am on 1st May.
First 3 placegetters in 1993 Race:
1. Geoff Boase 6:42:47
2. Mark Steinberg 6:43:33
3. Asim Mesalic 6:57:34
