Archive for the ‘New South Wales’ Category
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK ULTRA – 80KM TRAIL RACE
17TH OCTOBER, 1992
by Kevin Cassidy
Twelve months ago, I ran this race whilst still recovering from a heavy dose of ‘flu and as a result, the extremely tough course got the better of me and I limped home in a rather pathetic 10 hours 16 min.
This year however, things were going to be different. With a knowledge of the course, I set about a thorough preparation for this year’s race with plenty of hill work and some runs along Port Melbourne Beach (in readiness for the soft sand encountered in the last 20km.). Standing on the starting line, I was confident of a time around 9 hours. Suddenly the gun fires and we are off, snaking our way through the forest tracks which are clearly marked by a series of pink ribbons tied amongst the trees. By the time I reach the 30km mark I am still feeling strong and I pat myself on the back for running an intelligent race so far. Minutes later, things were to change dramatically. As I approached an intersection, the pink ribbons could not be seen, but I managed to catch, out of the corner of my eye, a series of ribbons leading us up the mountain, so naturally, I followed. At the top of the climb, the track and ribbons disappeared (I could see my race plan going out the window), and soon I am joined by two other runners. We search around for a while before deciding to return to the intersection down below, where we meet up with a local runner who leads us on to the correct course. It is obvious to us now that some bush-walkers had not only removed the ribbons, but had purposely sent us the wrong way. Local runners knew the course without the aid of ribbons, but many of us interstaters are dependent on them, and quite a few suffered the same fate. Poor Nicole Carroll of Queensland was leading the women’s race when she became so hopelessly lost that she ended up withdrawing from the race.
Once I am back on the correct course, I am furious. My temper has been completely lost and I am in a foul mood. I run flat out over some very rough terrain in order to make up for lost time (approximately 10 minutes) before arriving at the apple pie aid station.
Five kilometres down the track, I am surprised to find I am almost back on schedule, but I suddenly realize how foolish I have been. I am not even half way and my increased pace is already taking its toll. I slow down a bit but I am mentally rattled, and as the race continued, my 5km sprint proves to be very costly.
I am not sure which has angered me most, the sabotaged course which has cost me about 10 minutes, or my stupid attempt to make up the lost time, which is obviously costing me an awful lot more.
In the final 30km of the run, I have managed to accept what has eventuated and merely do what I can to finish. After what seems to be an eternity of traipsing through the sandy tracks, I drag my completely-spent body across the finish line in a very disappointing 10 hours 14 mins. (So much for my 9 hour run!) I was feeling really cheesed off. If the wrong turn I took had been because I wasn’t looking where I was going, then I would have just laughed at myself, but to be purposely led astray is pretty annoying. However, after relaxing with a few drinks, I was able to see the funny side of things and vowed to come back and have another crack as a well organised and very challenging race,
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1992 Results
THE SIX FOOT TRACK MARATHON
by Kevin Cassidy
On the 21st March, 1992, the Victorians returned to the Blue Mountains with the express intention of repeating the 100% finish rate that we chalked up last year. Our 12 member team consisted of Peter and Liz Feldman, Kevin and Margaret Cassidy, Colin and Dot Browne, Graeme Robertson, Alan Witt, Ross Shilston, Norm Brooke, Ray Carroll and the Pres., Geoff Hook. – all of whom were under the watchful eye of team manager and chief motivator, June Kerr. Graeme, Peter, Liz and Margaret were the 4 “virgins”, tackling the rugged and mountainous 46km course for the first time.
On race morning, we had a quick breakfast, followed by a motivational speech by Alan Witt, demanding that we achieve our 100% finish rate for the second consecutive year. By the time the race started, we were ready to grind the NSW boys into the ground. The starter’s gun was fired and the 330 odd runners (extremely “odd” runners) left Katoomba for the picturesque Jenolan Caves. A gruelling journey lay ahead.
Well, how did we go? We absolutely blitzed’em. By the time the sweepers had brought up the rear of the field, our entire team was showered, dressed and enjoying a drink at the Caves House bar. Numerous pbs. had been run, and some gutsy performances had been put up by our first timers.
There was plenty to celebrate that night, and Alan Witt, having run a nice pb. himself, was full of praise for our 100% success rate, in particular, the efforts of our first timers. Once again, the NSW boys couldn’t boast a 100% finish rate. (Suffer Big Chris!)
As we headed home the next morning, I couldn’t help but wonder about those old, but often asked questions, “Just why do rugby players stick their noses in each other’s bums?” and “Why in NSW are drinking glasses called schooners?” Who knows? (Who cares?) See you all next year at the Six Foot Track!
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