16
Nov
Archive for the ‘NSW’ Category
5TH TAMWORTH (NSW) 24 HOUR CHARITY RUN
SAT- SUN. 13TH & 14TH MARCH, 1993
Tamworth,the home of Australian Country and Western music, with a population
of nearly 50,000, was staging it’s 5th annual 24 hour charity run in conjunction with the NBN Telethon Cancer Appeal. The temperature was to average 28° through the day and a pleasantly cool evening was to follow.
28 ultra runners, local relay teams, walkers, plus a team of ultra cyclists faced the starters gun. The field of ultra runners comprised of the previous three race winners, Bob Burns 1990, Ralph Bristow 1991, Tony Collins 1992, plus Georgina McConnell, holder of the female track record. Included in the line up were Australian Ace ultra runner Bryan Smith winner of the Sydney to Melbourne in 1991, and the legendary Cliff Young. Other prominent participants included Maurie Taylor and the young tenacious Peter Gray. There was a fine array of local runners, Kelly Humphries, Tony Farnham, John Henderson, John Morris and Joy Leaney.
The race was underway at 10am, almost a carnival atmosphere from the surrounding activities, various types of country music, and many other interesting exhibitions, and food outlets. It felt like the whole community was behind the race organisers Dallas and Ted, and their many helpers.
The first few hours had Smith leading from Tony Farnham, Craig Rowe, Peter Gray and Tony Collins. By the marathon distance, Smith had a 26 minute lead and extended this to about l hour at the 80 kms mark over David Sill and Peter Gray. McConnell had moved to 4th place and she was to maintain a steady pace throughout the night, always threatening those ahead of her.
By the 13th hour, Rowe, Sill , Farnham, and Collins had fallen back and Bristow gradually slipped through the field into 3rd spot. Smith lead Gray throughout the night to the finish. Gray was determined to catch Smith
and was also aware of Bristow threatening him for 2nd position. There was only a 14 lap difference in the 6 hour period from midnight to 6am, between Smith, Gray, and Bristow, with an 11 lap difference between McConnell, Burns, Humphries and Young.
Sunrise, and the activity surrounding the race picked up again. The announcer returned to inform everyone of the participants progress, the news that the telethon had reached a million dollars was very gratifying. However, the final figure was over 2 million dollars was stunning, and the race organisers, helpers, runners and crews, and all who took part can feel proud of being a part of this massive fund raising event, for the fight against cancer.
There were many individual achievements, with all local runners achieving good mileage. Newcomer George Cormack from Lucknow, Victoria, entered the race aiming to run 12 hours at his first attempt his 101 kms was an encouraging effort and a few more shorter events will have him primed for a 24 hour race.
This race is gradually developing into prominence, and many factors make
it attractive. Travel wise, it is central for most NSW and QLD runners, and is a great boom for the ultra scene in the NSW country.
Dallas and Ted have begun to organise next years race, and are taking steps to change the lap scoring arrangements and display board. The venue can only improve further and Dallas and Ted are to be congratulated and encouraged for taking on this sometimes thankless service for ultra running. Thankyou.
Jan Bristow
22
May
