PIONEER 5 DAY FOOTRACE – NANANGO. OUEENSLAND
by Bob Beattie
sole destroying, unforgiving, torturous and mind blowing were just a few names runners used to describe the qruellinq Pioneer Five Day Foot Race held recently in Queensland.
Eleven ultra distance runners headed out on their 330km five day race from Nanango, 180 kilometres North West of Brisbane to trek through some of the toughest terrain the South Burnett region has to offer.
Competitors experienced all forms of road surface’s and weather conditions to test their metal, gravel, bitumen, dirt and mud along with less than ideal weather conditions to match over the five days.
The race is the first staged race in Australia and some runners find it difficult to come to terms with.
Each day the runners are confronted with a new distance after a good night sleep and the mental strength is put to the test by many.
Runners give their respective time they believe they will cover the distance with the runner closest to their time winning the handicap stage with the runner crossing the line first wins the outright winners shirt on each day.
Time are calculated by the official timekeeper and at the completion of the five-days awards are made to the winners, first male, first female and handicap winner and all finishers receiving a plaque.
Runners were confronted with 75km on day one with 80 percent up hill.
Last years inaugural winner Gary Parsons, from Caboolture put a cat amongst the pigeons when he set a blistering pace to unsettle the field.
With ten runners behind him Parsons inched away to be more than two kilometres ahead by the 12 kilometre mark.
With Robert Channels and Dave Holleran sitting on each others ankles behind it was Maurice Taylor who loomed as the danger. With a constant almost regimental stride, maurice Taylor pulled the leading bunch in to head the runners into day one in 7hours and 5minutes to claim the leaders shirt.
Ron Grant finished day one in a tremendous amount of pain after suffering a back strain only two days before the event got underway.
While other runners sat around the camp fire playing the mind game on others as they told how well they felt Grant was searching for the hot water bottles and any other form of relief he could find as he settled in for the night.
Not one to throw the towel in over pain as his previous feats have shown, he continued on the next day starring at 65km. Finding a set of children play monkey bars 15km into the day, Grant hung upside down for 30 minutes in an attempt to relieve some of the pain his body was experiencing.
A further 15km down the track Gary Parsons was experiencinq his own type of pain as his ankle gave under the constant pressure of day one and he sat on the road side visibly shaken at the realisation his race may have been run.
Taking some time to recuperate, Parsons forced himself to walk remaining 35km into the township of Wondai were day two ended. Rekindling his hopes overnight, he continued to contest day three in extreme pain entering Kingaroy with a shoe full of blood from blisters.
Brushing the blood, sweet and teas off and climbing the injury hurdle and disappointment of his setback Parsons complete the race in good spirits and finished fourth overall.

“i thought I had done some terrible damage to my ankle but I did not want to pull out,” Parsons said.
“I needed the satisfaction of at least finishing the Pioneer race even it I walked every step.”
while every runner experienced his or hers good and bad days the legendary Colac potato farmer, Cliff Young was having more that’ his bad days.
The 71-year-old shuffler was, experiencing problems with his feet and taking more than 12 hours to finish the days distance. After three days of troubles and set backs, Young decided he would not start day four in a wheel chair as his crew member had recommended, but take the daunting Bunya Mountain on. The weather, now raining and windy was to Young’s liking and he headed to the finish like a jack rabbit.
Last years day four winner Dave Holleran was again looking to add the Bunya Mountains to his scalp by finishing the day in first place.
It was not to be this time as with an eye of the tiger look about him, it was going to Cliff Young’s time of the race as he finished two minutes in front of Holleran.
“I was just sick of every body passing me so I desired to get amongst it,” Young said.
“My crew member said he would get me to the start in a wheel chair if$I did not pick up.
“The one thing I am sure of is I will not be coming back for a third time.
“Two many of theses race will kill a man,” he said.
A new ultra distance runner of the future was surely unveiled as local Nanango runner Graeme Watts, undertaking his first ever ultra distance event finished in third outright behind race winner Maurice Taylor and Robert Channels both from New South Wales.
Watts showed a touch of arrogance when he threw his hat into the ring with no previous experience, alongside the legends of ultra-distance runners,race organiser Ron Grant, Cliff Young and Maurice Taylor.
Little did Watts know that the challenge of completing the five-day event would require such arrogance.
The 40-year-old grabbed the event by the throat and on each day continued to squeeze a little tighter as he kept his stride short and his concentration high.
Built more like Arnold Schwarznegger, Watts brings a new strength, physically and mentally to the sport.
The unassuming Watts was accepted by his peers and is now destined to become one of the new faces of ultra-distance runners.
With only two woman in the event this year both finished the event in good times.
Lucelle Gladwell and Val Warren continued to push ahead over ever stage of the race with Lucelle winning the female section. The race claimed only one casualty this year with Ray Chatternan withdrawing due to exhaustion on day three.

SOUTH BURNETT 5 DAY PIONEER FOOTRACE
Day 1: 75Kms.

As just reward for an extreme training programme Maurice Taylor is the 1993 winner of the Nanango-South Burnett Pioneer Footrace. Exhibiting experience gained from four Sydney-Melbourne races, a second place gained at Colac 6 Day Track Race 1989 and the ability to concentrate focus for a prolonged time has paid off for this very professional runner. Maury displays an inner calm that belies the burning ambition to win. In a` controlled workman-like manner he traversed the course with nary an upset to his schedule. A troublesome knee injury was firmly taped and quickly forgotten as he set benchmarks for daily runs. Ten kilometres per hour, hour after hour, was his forte. Such excellence deserves much praise. Last year’s race was last year’s news. This is now. In the cool of an inland Queensland morning, the Nanango-South Burnett Footrace shifted into high gear to the crack of a bull whip start.
A flurry of bright yellow sponsored T-Shirts and we were away, running in the rural South Burnett area of South East Queensland. The course would wind along gravelled country lanes near peaceful cattle and dairy farming country and arable broadacre farms which produce the famous Kingaroy peanut and the humble Baked Bean. Finally, a climb through the Rainforest of the Bunya Mountains before a steep drop to the valley floor, returning to the town of Nanango. Five days and 331.4 Kms, eleven Ultra runners with crew, and the experience of recreating the staged foot races of yore.
It was apparent as the day strolled toward noon, that superior training would underline faults in the lesser prepared. Maurice Taylor with Robert Channels in tow soon cleared from the field. Last year’s winner Gary Parsons with Ian Cornelius nicely placed, made up the fleet-footed foursome. Cliff Young shuffling through the dust mid-field with Dave Holleran were followed by much favoured Graeme Watts, an underrated local talent. Toward the tail, along with Ron Grant was Val Warren, Lucille Gladwell and Ray Chatterton.
In humid conditions with little of the forecast cooling breeze, the half marathon and Marathon mileage materialised and disappeared in the slowly settling dust.
The blistering pace set by the leading four: Taylor, Channels, Cornelius and Parsons, had a telling effect on the energy reserves and condition of the runners. At the close of Day 1 soreness and blisters were the badges proudly displayed on feet of iron. The theme of the pioneering spirit was again reflected by the bushland setting of the evening’s camp. Lacking hot showers, air conditioned motel accommodation and the runner’s most needed requirement, the massage table, the limping eleven revelled in the spartan surroundings.
Tent pegs were hammered home to the sound of anguished bodies washed with cold water. Air beds inflated in counterpoint to the aching intake of breath as tender spots were soon discovered.
Gary Parsons, agonising from tight socks irritating the angry scars of operations to remove spurs and remedy an ankle injury. Ron Grant, suffering from a recent work-related injury to his already deteriorating back, pondering his future part in the race. Ian Cornelius, waiting to pounce on the slightest falter of the race leader Maurice Taylor. Robert Channels wishing he had moved his tent further from the snorer to recover in the peace of night. The others subdued, tired, preoccupied with cooking and repairing. Kneading tired limbs, a wan smile of acknowledgment to passing praise from crews. Later, refreshed by a barbecue and fortified with amber fluid, they soon launched into extravagant accounts of hills stretching to the heavens, near-vertical valleys and the quiet beauty of the Australian bush.
Dave Holleran coaxed the group into a party mood with some subtle strumming of his ever-present guitar near his ever-present smoky campfire. The Chairman of Murgon Shire into which territory the race had now moved, Cr Goerge Roberts, gave a very quotable quote: “The campfire yarn is the crucible of Australian philosophy;” Cr Reg McCallum and Cr Alec McIntosh, respective Chairman of rival Shires, Nanango and Kilkivan, told humorous and outrageous stories of each other including the dubious
whereabouts of a hearing-aid; the leading runner of the day and the Handicap Winner were awarded appropriate recognition: Shocking Pink T-Shirts (maybe to match their shocking pink feet?); the evening finishing with a recitation of the morrow’s chosen Handicap times. Robert and Dorothy retired with dreadful thoughts of the snoring to come’ During the night a cooling shower did nothing to muffle the sounds of dreamless sleep.
Day 2: 67.1 Kms.

While the sun had yet to dawn, the rattle of a diesel engine exploded the deafening silence. It signalled the departure of crew following a day long pursuit of Lucille in her chosen sport. The camp came to life. Food high in carbohydrates was greedily swallowed, storing energy for the 67Kms of adventure which included the aptly named Boat Mountain. This detour was a new addition to last years course thus avoiding the infamous ‘muck hole’ which marred the sculptured contours of Adidas and Saucony. In a few hours, a wallow in the mud would prove infinitely preferable to the tortuous climb.
The town of Goomeri was approached with joy as a child’s swing in the local Park was hastily converted to therapeutic benefit. Ron Grant hung like a limp flag from the cross piece whilst crew turned his hips to exercise his spine. The willing athlete then suffered a severe bashing at the hands of Jan Collins, whilst he was supine atop a convenient BBQ table, to complete the therapy. This is sport?? It must be, not another murmur was heard of a troubled back. Methinks the pain was less than the murderous treatment. Just after the half Marathon mark a sudden cool breeze whispered, “Boat Mountain!” The landmark appeared suddenly in the form of an upturned hull, the gangplank a steeply rising twisting snake with a sting in the tail. The final 500 meters bends sharply left hiding the horror of a near vertical climb. The panorama at the top is forgotten as air is gulped in to still trembling limbs.
Ray Chatterton had the ‘Rich and Famous’ treatment from the lady who lives at the top of Boat Mountain. Not just the casual chair for Ray. Oh no. Plastic patio furniture, hot beverage complete with sticky buns and soothing comments of commiseration for this much appreciated chappy. To admit he bunged it on a bit is maybe going a little too far, though his crew swears his eyes were closed with a little smile playing around his parched lips. We wonder if he told her the story of the man with the body of a Blacksmith and the mind of an Ultra runner. Hmmm?
Thoughts of like treatment filled the mind as Murgon peeped through the trees pointing the way to Wondai. The RSL for dinner and hot showers for the body. Meanwhile tragedy was striking the runners. Humid conditions were taking their toll. Dave Holleran usually full of fun, was in a sombre mood as he raced Ian to the finish of the day. Many were now the walking wounded. Gary Parsons forced to walk the majority of the day was in grave difficulty as was Cliff. Concealing obvious distress, Robert and Maurice both mature
Westfield campaigners, professionally talked little of their discomfort. Grace was their strength, endurance their touchstone.
Graeme Watts coming to terms with the requirements of the race, was leapfrogging his way up the leader board. Having a young body, in terms of long distance running, was proving a blessing of which he may have been unaware. Val Warren was surprised to learn she had completed the first two days in two hours less than last year! In the middle was Cliff Young. Still bright, still cheery though the twinkle smothered extreme pain. Quietly confident, Lucille was braving her personal battle with the road, while Ron elegantly dismissed his misuse of playground equipment to contemplate again the devilment of his injured spine. Conviviality was the order of the evening. Hospitality the byword. The Wondai RSL staff outdid themselves over last year’s effort. A welcome light tea prior to a giant supper, as well as an open kitchen for breakfast was gladly provided and much appreciated by runners and crew. “Treat it as you would your own home,” said one of the cooks. One cannot receive more of a welcome than that thought

Day 3: 66.5Kms. Cheerfully, Gary Parsons declared he would start early to walk to Kingaroy. The previous day’s turmoil had given him cause to rethink his strategy. The US Mail slogan flew in my mind: “Through hail and rain, sun and snow, the US Mail will get through.” With a heart bigger than his blisters off he strode into the darkness of early morn.
The ladies headed off with a cheery wave leaving crew to slide behind steaming cups of coffee and piles of bedding.
Last year the runners had to battle interminable rain. Now, a strong headwind prevailed. To those caught running in the middle of the day, the combination of hot sun and strong wind proved another hurdle to overcome. First casualty was Ray Chatterton suffering from a strange malfunction of his inner chemistry forcing him to abandon the race halfway through the day with an erratic pulse. Miraculously, both Ron and Gary recovered to have an excellent day. Both running freely for the first time. Meanwhile Cliff Young had received a beating from the unforgiving terrain. A badly blistered heel needing constant attention during the day saw him shuffle in after dark and straight to the arms of blessed sleep.
Camp that evening was pure luxury. The Oasis Motel was comfortable beds! The Motel meant massage, civilisation and a day nearer the finish!
That night the picture became clearer as Dell Grant recorded the day’s fortunes and the race so far. Graeme had moved up another notch to place overall third, an hour behind Robert. Maurice had an untouchable lead in first place. Would he collapse? Would the Bunya’s claim him? Fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh position became congested as four runners had near equal times. The run up the Bunya Mountains would clear the picture somewhat. Would Ron’s uphill ability be shaded by Dave Holleran’s legendary downhill racing?
Day 4: 57.2Kms.

A strong head-wind and blazing sun coupled with thoughts of the Bunya’s would deter lesser athletes. Not these hardy souls. One by one at determined times they left the haven of the Motel to launch their assault on the journey upward. It never ceases to amaze how the peace and tranquillity of surroundings can alter dramatically as elevation increases. The peaceful hamlet of Kumbia is a desirable village populated by helpful folk. As a major supply point to reprovision for an outdoor camp it provides much in the way of creature comforts. Climb the hill out of town leading to the base of the mountains and one is met with the soaring grandeur of peaks disappearing into cloud. Darkened by the rainforest it wears as a cloak against the bitter cold, the Bunya’s leap at you.
On leaving the highway, the ground immediately starts to rise. Imperceptibly at first. Then sheer cliffs confront the way.
Running down the side of one hill, Maurice passed Ron to be hidden by a bend in the road. A shout wafted back, unintelligible at first. It soon became clear what the shout was for as the bend was navigated. A black strip of tar was smeared down the face of a precipice resembling a dark tear of sorrow. The road went straight up! And UP! An ant looking remarkably like Maurice was actually running up it. His crew frantically looking for a gear lower than first to keep momentum in the car.
Fantastic! Ron shut his eyes and moved forward.
Moving into the rainforested area, the climate rapidly deteriorated. Cold driving rain was added to the runner’s discomfort. A bare-chested Graeme Watts trundled past muttering something about ‘Going for the Doctor,’ as a wary crew kept a weather eye for the leaches.
Motivation ceased to be a concern as the runners battled out the hard yards, grinding the mountain down to size. The rain continued to pour a gentle waterfall path for the sodden feet to tread. The road, the landscape, the mist, became one gray mass of intensifying fog. Through this was the muffled sound of heavy breathing. Lungs gasping for air as the feet sought the road.
Suddenly, flat country. The summit. Unexpectedly, the rain forest gave way to friendly .2o. Australian bush. Birds could be heard whistling in the rain. The finish, a mere kilometre or two away.

The pace freshened, the back straightened. The mind singing hot showers, hot food, warm bed, rest.
Day 5: 65.6Kms.

A cold and crystal clear morning beneath a star studded sky greeted the final day. The famed 360 degree view was resplendent with cloud nestling in the hollows of the valley floor hundreds of meters below. This starry dawn was marred by extremes of side wind. The downhill run being littered with debris from trees and bushes uprooted during the night. Runners had gratefully accepted the organiser’s thoughtful last minute hiring of a house to accommodate cold and tired bodies. Camping in such rain had been out of the question.
The issue of supremacy had still not been answered. Though Maurice’s overall lead was unassailable the tussle between Graeme Watts and Robert Channels during the day was riveting. The lead changed constantly. At this level of competition any un-scheduled call of nature; drink stop or urgent medical attention was promptly penalised by the sight of the disappearing opposition. Further ahead, Ron Grant was chased with the nagging thought of Dave Holleran snatching the overall Handicap Win. So close were they in terms of predicting their daily handicap time that their final cat and mouse tactics stirred thoughts of a mobile chess game. Stopping well short of actually sitting down in the road to bleed unwanted time from their passage, the rivals had crew performing incredible arithmetic calculations. This involved intense scrutiny of run sheets, dividing fractions of kilometres into an understandable time sequence, and humorously, running backward to confuse the opponent into thinking they were running astray. All performed within the widespread feeling of camaraderie. In the midst of this orchestrated but serious rivalry, Lucille Gladwell was trundling along to a well deserved pink Day 5 handicap winner’s guernsey. Aware of but untroubled by the unfolding drama, husband Mark was timing and controlling her superb run home. A just and sporting gesture was displayed when the trio ran the final few meters, with hands held entwined and aloft, to the Finish Line.
No more wuld be heard the prayer, “Oh Lord, if you pick my feet up, I PROMISE I’ll put them back down!”

AUSTRALIAN 48-HOUR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
AND
QUEENSLAND 24-HOUR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
4-6 JUNE, 1993

It didn’t rain this year. The wind didn’t try to take any tents. All the lights stayed working. The main clock didn’t run out of power midway through the event. Organising the use of the field took one phone call. The Wynnum Rugby Union Football Club looked after us like we were long lost relatives. The trophies and T-shirts were ready well before the event. The number of competitors was dramatically increased over last year, and six records were broken. The world was a very good place to be in for a few days.
The Australian 48 Hour Championships attracted six great runners, Bryan Smith, David LaPierre (Canada) Peter Gray, Georgina McConnell, Bob Burns and John Timms.
At 9am on the 4th June they were dispatched on their way by Deputy Lord Mayor of Brisbane John Campbell. Bryan Smith streaked to the lead in the first hour with 12.8k and stayed there for the rest of the event. Peter Gray was never too far away most of the time. He continued to keep moving in his normal quiet efficient style. Canadian David LaPierre, suffered very badly from jet lag, arriving in Australia only a few days before the event and not up to his normal professional performance. He managed a very creditable 280.870k. Georgina McConnell was at her business-like best with 302.275k, and in the process managed to break the 250k, 300k and 48-hour Australian records, (congratulations Georgie). Bob Burns was back to his normal best, quietly working away to come in third place and John Timms was entertaining with his varied running style and culinary requirements.
The sun dawned brightly on Saturday 5th to another beautiful Queensland day, as the sixteen runners who were to compete in the 24-hour event prepared to join the six 48-hour runners. Local federal member Con Sciacca fired the gun at 9am and swelled the field to 22 runners.
Dell Grant put on one of the most impressive running displays seen in these parts for some time. She took outright lead at the fifth hour, and from then on, the best the others could do was to fight it out for the minor placings. Not only did Dell win outright in front of 15 others, she also broke the Queensland 100k, 100 mile and 24 hour records (congratulations Dell). Ron Grant, who came to help Dell along and have a bit of a training run, got caught up in the excitement of it all to come in first male and second over all. Dave Holleran snapped at Ron’s heels for most of the event to come in second male and third overall.
Seventy-six year old John Petersen, who has been a regular competitor for many years, had been suffering a bit with a muscle strain lately. He popped in to have a little run, stayed the 24 hours, and did a great 108k.
My encouragement trophy went to Kerrie Hall who walked the 24 hours to reach 126k. She is going to be someone to look out for if she ever decides to take up running.

It was great to see three new 24—hour runners enter the event, Gerard Hocks and John Stockman who had their first taste of ultra running in the Caboolture 12-hour a few weeks back. Both did 106k. Nanango runner Graeme Watts did 93k in his first effort at ultra running. It was very pleasing to see new runners entering our events up here.

Dell Grant

Cliff Young put on a great performance to reach 130k as it was only at the last minute he felt he could enter because of injuries and a cold.
As race director I was very pleased for all the runners, and the personal goals they reached. They all can’t get a trophy, but everyone in those two events deserved one.
My thanks to all our sponsors and helpers who made these events possible. Special thanks to Dave and Kay Holleran for their long months of work before the event, and during the event to Val Case for her tireless efforts, and to Lorraine. Camp Quality benefits from this event by approximately $500 with donations from sponsors and runners.

A VIEW FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. – by David Holleran
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT RUNNING IN A 24 HOUR RACE WAS HARD. LAST YEAR I TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE OF ASSISTING RAY CHATERTON IN ORGANISING A 48-24HR RACE. HARD!! I’LL SAY. SO THIS YEAR I THOUGHT, WELL WHY NOT TRY BOTH AT ONCE. HARD, DIFFICULT, FRUSTRATING, REWARDING? ALL OF THE ABOVE. LAST YEAR I MADE MANY MISTAKES IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE RUN, BUT NOT THIS YEAR. WHEN YOU HAVE TO FORK OUT YOUR OWN Iy9NEY YOU LEARN REAL FAST.
A CHANCE MEETING WITH ALLAN JONES WHO WAS THAT..’NIGHT
TO BE VOTED IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE WYNNUM RUGBY UNION CLUB WAS VERY INTERESTED IN DONATING THE GROUND FOR US TO USE FOR FREE!!’ LIGHTS, TRACKSIDE TOILETS, (ELIMINATING THE COST OF PORT-A-LOOS) , FULL CANTEEN FACILITIES. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS OFFICIAL. WHAT A BEAUTY. TELECOM, WHO HAD BEEN MY TEE SHIRT SPONSOR IN AN EVENT IN DECEMBER SAID THEY WOULD BE A TEESHIRT SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT. GREAT. TROPHIES, NO WORRIES. I APPROACHED 14 BUSINESSES WITH ONLY ONE REFUSAL. TROPHIES PAID FOR!! CERTIFIED TRACK, I RING ALLAN FOX A MARATHON RUNNER AND SURVEYEROF 31 YEARS EXPERIENCE. DONE. FRUIT, FOR THE RUNNERS. PERRYS FRUIT OF WYNNUM, NO WORRIES. SO FAR, GREAT.
TWO WEEKS TO CO AND BANG. TELECOM RENEG. NEVER TAKE THE WORD FROM A BIG COMPANY. 24 HOURS LATTER, CO VIDEO OF MANLY COME TG THE RESCUE. BACK ON TRACK. THEY ALSO DONATED ALONG WITH SPORTS CO CAPALABA LOTS OF GIVAWAYS. T.V. COVERAGE? SURE. The NEWS EDITOR OF CHANNELL 9 IS A REFERREE, AND f JUST HAPPEN TO BE THE FITNESS ADVISOR FOR:-THE REFS.
BRISBANE EXTRA, SATURDAY NEWS, SUNDAY NEWS, NEWSPAPERS, RADIO. WHAT: A BUZZ!! CO VIDEO ARE RAPT. SO MUCH EXPOSURE. NEXT YEARS EVENT LOOKS GOOD ALREADY.
THE RUN. SET LIP FRIDAY WITH RAY. IT’S COLD BUT FINE. I RENEW OLD FRIENDSHIPS. PETER GRAY AND MUM NORMA ARE ALL FULL OF SMILES. BRYAN LOOKS GOOD, GEORGIES CHIRPY, DAVID LA PIERE LOOKS ‘HAPPY AND TALKATIVE, JOHN TIMMS IS JUST HAPPY TO BE THERE, BOB BURNS IS HIS USUAL DETERMINED SELF. A SMALL FIELD BUT ALL QUALITY. RAY IS HIS USUAL EFFICIENT SELF, COOL AND UNFLAPABLE. NOTHING ELSE FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT. THE RUGBY CLUB IS SUP.PI YING A FULL CANTEEN SO HAVE SOME BREAKY AND SETTLE IN TO.’SbME PHOTO TAKING AND TALKING. CLIFFY IS THERE AND A STEADY STREAM OF PEOPLE COME BY TO MEET HIM. CLIFFY IS EVER FRIENDLY AND APPROACHABLE. CLIFF IS IN TERRIBLE PAIN WITH A SCIATTIC NERVE INFLAMED AND A DOSE OF FLU. I DON’T THINK HE’LL GET VERY FAR TOMORROW. BACK HOME AND TRY TO SLEEP. CLIFFY’S COUGHING ALL NIGHT. UP AT SIX, EAT, OFF TO THE TRACK. THE 48ers ARE LOOKING GOOD. MEET MORE OLD FRIENDS. GEE I ENJOY ULTRA PEOPLE. NO “FLUFFY STUFF” HERE AS RON GRANT WOULD CALL IT, JUST PURE PIONEER STOCK, THE TGUGH RUNNERS.
THE GUN GOES OFF AND DOWN TO BUSINESS. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER I’M HAVING STOMACH PROBLEMS. OH WELL, PLAN B MAYBE!! 8 HOURS, GEE IT’S HARD, 12 HOURS, A COUPLE OF RUNNERS GO HOME, SOME TO BED. CLIFF IS GETTING STRONGER. SO AM I!! YOU BEAUTY. 6TH SPOT AND RISING. If HOURS – 4th, 15 HOURS – 3rd AND THERE I STAY. THE RUN FINISHED. RELIEF. SIT DOWN AND RELAX. WHAT’S THIS, KIDS WANT MYJAUTOGRAPH. WHAT A BUZZ!!

HIGHLIGHTS
BRYAN SMITH, BACK TO BACK 48’s. A TRUE AUSSIE CHAMPION. GEORGINA McCONNELL, THREE AUSTRALIAN RECORDS AND LOOKED GREAT ALL THE WAY.
JOHN TIMM’S FASHION PARADE. HE MUST PRACTICE QUICK CHANGES OF CLOTHES AT HOME.
PETER GRAY EVER CHEEKY AND NEVER A QUITTER. TENACIOUS DELL GRANT. WHAT A LADY, WHAT AN ATHLETE. YOU CAN’T HELP BUT BE INSPIRED. “ROTTEN RONNIE- GRANT, ALWAYS COMPETITIVE ALWAYS HELPFUL, NEVER A QUITTER. MARK FOLEY’S “ARE WE THERE YET” COMMENTS, GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR. ULTRA CHAMPION WIFE WANDA HAD A HELL OF A TIME TRYING TO FIND HIM AT TIMES. HE JUST LOVES TO VISIT OTHER TENTS AND HIDY HOLES. KERRIE HALL WALKED THE ENTIRE WAY NEVER COMPLAINED, EVEN WHEN I SANG, AND EVERSMILING. GERRARD HOCKS AND SIAMESE TWIN JOHN STOCKMAN, RAN WALKED AND TALKED FOR 24 HOCRS. GREAT GUYS TO HAVE ON THE TRACK. JOHN PETERSON COME FOR A LOOK AND STAYED TO RUN. JOHN HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND IS SADLY MISSED WHEN NOT COMPETING. AND OF COURSE, CLIFFY. IN PAIN, FULL OF THE FLU, FULL OF GOOD OLD FASHIONED GUTS AND DETERMINATION. RAY CHATERTON DESERVED A MEDAL FCi A WELL ORGANISED AND SMOOTH RUNNING EVENT. I KNOW HE’D RATHER RUN BUT HE PUTS IN MUCH MORE THAN HE TAKES OUT. THE RACE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. LOTS OF LOCAL SUPPORT. SIX RECORDS BROCKEN, ALL BY LADIES. WOW!! MY BEST PLACING IN TWELVE 2t HOUR RACES. MY WIFE KAY DID A GREAT JOB, MASSAGING THE RUNNERS AND CREWING FOR ME. WHAT A LADY. AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, WE MADE MONEY FOR CAMP QUALITY AS WELL. THAT ALWAYS MAKES IT WORTH WHILE.
THERE IS NO DOUBT ULTRA RUNNING IS ALIVE AND WELL IN QUEENSLAND. WHY NOT COME AND TRY THIS EVENT NEXT YEAR.
DAVE HOLLERAN.
CO – RACE DIRECTOR.

This is far from complete, but will be adding races as I go.

Glasshouse – 1990

Glasshouse – 1991

Glasshouse – 1992

Glasshouse – 1993

June 27,1993    Race Director – Ian Javes
The Ultra Division of the Queensland Marathon and Road Runners Club conducted trail runs over distances of 55,35 and 10 kms in the state forests of the Glasshouse Mountains area on Sunday,June 27.The two shorter events were open to walkers as well as runners.A planned 80km event was cancelled due to lack of entrants.
Don Wallace won the 55km event from Asim Mesalic and Brian Evans in 4Lr 10mi.n 36sec.Don was using the run as training for the World 100km Championship and led comfortably from the start.Carol Street was the first female in 6hr 56min 44sec from Phillipa Bolt.Dave Holleran was the only runner to go off course in this event.
Runners in the 35km had some trouble as course markings had been partially interferred with and thus four failed to complete the full course Twenty-four competitors successfully completed the course and there were two withdrawals. Rein Evenhuis was first to complete the course closely followed by the first lady,Lyn Gordon.Rex Gumbrell and Peter McKenzie were second and third. males and Sandra Cox started early to successfully complete the course and- then assist husband Arthur to organize a barbeque. Heather Mills walked this event.
There were no dramas in the 10km event with all thirty-four entrants successfully negotiating the Goat Track and forest trails.Murray Stratford led the men home in 49min 5sec from Japanese visitor Aragami Kosuke and Caboolture teenager David Dellow.Ann Palmer was the first female in lhr 8min 4sec from Judy Buchan and Sharon Parsons tied with her daughter Kylie Nicolosi for third. Kerni Hall was the first walker in lhr 19mi.n 41sec.
Next year it is intended to offer events over 80,55,35,20 and lCkms.
The two longer events will only proceed however if there are at least ten
entrants 10 days prior to the event..It is intended to obtain a volunteer to act as course director in future events.The function of this person will be to patrol the course to check on course markings.Keep June 18,1994 free for this event.Runners are advised to carry water bottles in the longer events as distances between some checkpoints are fairly long and there is always going to be the possibility of missing course marking.
Finally it could appear that most entrants enjoyed the challenge of rugged terrain and the scenery of the Glasshouse Mountains area.

NANANGO FOOTRACE

The inaugural 52.2Km Nanango Forest Footrace held in a Nanango, Queensland, State Forest 200Kms North West of Brisbane, was huge success.
In warm to hot conditions seventeen Ultra distance runners set out to triumph over heat and hills in an end of year get-together. Ten finished.
Having seen the short-comings of an involved estimated elapsed time to be then subtracted from a set finish time when concerned with organizing the 5 day Pioneer Footrace, organizer Ron Grant had a flash of inspiration. He determined the Handicap Winner would be the one completing the course and finishing nearest to 2pm. Nothing could be more simple.

Jeanette Davies of Nanango, finished at 1.59 pm and was awarded Handicap Winner. Second, Phillipa Bolt; third, Geoff Williams. The fastest were the “Two Grahams”; Graham Black in 4Hrs l8mins, and Graham Medill, 5Hrs 7mins. Both from Toowoomba Road Runners, they flew over the course quick smart considering the warm conditions and hilly terrain.
Dell Grant was the quickest woman and third fastest overall taking 5Hrs 39mins, with Ian Cornelius half hour later. They had a great ding-dong battle all day.
Says organizer Ron Grant, “This being a get-together for the Queensland Ultra distance Runners Association, we had a late finish time to coincide with a Christmas BBQ. This meant a late start for some – and hot sun.”
“As you would imagine, runs like this usually start earlier, to finish before the day gets too hot.”
“Many runners went out too hard initially, which caused problems for some of the competitors. Eventually, the field thinned after 35Kms.”
The day was not without some drama. Handicap winner Jeanette Davies, the earliest starter at 5.17am and competing in her first Ultra distance event misread directions, causing her to ‘go bush’ for two hours. So early did she start, that course marshals had not arrived at a crucial drink station. Realizing her error, she backtracked. Officials adjusted her time spent off course by repositioning her, on track.

Phillipa  Bolt finishing second on hnadicap had the bit between her teeth in the latter stage.

She chased Jeanette over the final 3.8Kms, uphill, covering the distance in just 39 minutes. This after a grueling 48.4kms and taking 14 minutes less time than Jeanette to complete the stage. Phillipa finished at two minutes past two o’clock.
The appearance of John Lord and Yvonne Voss, after the race had started, was most welcome. Yvonne did a 17Km lap while John did a two lap run of 35Kms. Both looked eager to continue but handicap time unfortunately beat them.
Light relief was again provided by Dave Holleran who finished decked out in flashing lights like a Christmas tree. Completing the outfit was a hat and corks. This glittering get-up got full marks from this writer and had the service car passengers howling with laughter.
At the concluding BBQ, Nanango Shire Chairman Cr Reg McCallum, presented the Queensland Ultra Runners Association’s “Sportsman of the Year Award” to Dave Holleran.
Insiders hear that Dave is on the lookout for a coal mine to provide a 50Kg sack of coal for him to carry in an upcoming record-breaking run. Maybe on his next visit to the South Burnett he might stop in at the local Meandu Mine which supplies thousands of tonnes of coal each year for the Tarong Electricity Generating Power Station. Ask nicely Dave, they may give you a sample bag!
It was the unanimous decision of the judges to award Dave “The Most Humerous Runner”. Lindsay Phillips “The Worst Dressed”; Geoff Williams (gimme a Powers Mate!) “The Best Dressed”; Graham Black the “Youngest” and Ian Cornelius “The Least Young (Oldest)”. Prizes for this prestigious category were individually wrapped and printed Ma4s bars. So pleased with the prizes were the distinguished judges, that they ate them! What a great bunch of blokes we are, in the 5 day Pioneer Footrace someone drank a crewman’s Ginger Ale, in this one the judges scoff the prizes. How about a new title for a book, “The Hungry-ness of the Long Distance Runner”??
Ron Grant thanked all the many helpers and supporters that quietly and efficiently make the races the success they are. He concluded by adding that the 1993 Nanango Forest Footrace was scheduled to be run on Saturday 4th December, and that the handicap finish time will be adjusted to a noon finish to avoid excessive heat. As a bonus for distant travelers the Nanango Country Kitchen restaurant has been booked for that evening, to provide an inexpensive BBQ which will promote a pleasant setting for further socialising. To add to the momentum of country South East Queensland Ultra distance Running, the 5 day staged Nanango Pioneer Footrace is scheduled for August 30th & 31s_t; September ls_t, 2!d & 3r_d. 1993.

Peter H Davies

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RAINBOW BEACH TRAIL RACE – 31ST OCTOBER 1992
by Kevin Cassidy

There it was, staring right at me, the only trail race on the AURA Calendar that I had nqt run. I just couldn’t help myself. Thursday morning sees me on a Melbourne-Brisbane flight followed by a train trip to Brisbane’s western suburbs, where I spend the night at Val Case’s place. Friday morning is spent lounging around before taking a train to Brisbane’s northern suburbs, where I am picked up by Bruce Cook and we spend the next 2.5 hours driving to Rainbow Beach, where we meet most of the other runners before falling asleep in a beach-side cabin.

At 6am the next morning, the sun is high in the sky as we start our journey at the Life Saving Club. After having blown myself apart 2 weeks ago at Sydney’s Royal National Park, I am in no condition to race, so I set out to merely finish in whatever time it takes. This year, Ian Javes has decided on a new course, which, I am assured, is much tougher than previous years.

The first 10km is out and back along the beach, before heading into the Cooloola Sands National Park for a 45km loop. Soft sand is the real killer in this race. One particular section between 33km and 45km is extremely treacherous. You feel as if you are standing still as you tackle the sandy undulations. Eventually I am glad to see the finish in a very mediocre 6 hours plus.

Presentations were held at the Life Saving Club, and later that evening, we all had a BBQ dinner before falling asleep for a well earned rest.. As Sunday morning arises, a few hardy fools decided to have a run, but I settled for a guided tour of the “Carlo Sand Blow” led by Phillipa Bolt (about a 2km walk). After a leisurely lunch, I am driven back to Caboolture by Allan and Phillips Bolt, where I met up with Ian Javes, who had come home that morning.

After having dined at “Sizzlers” restaurant, we headed back to Ian’s for a sleep. The next morning, Ian very kindly drives me back to the Brisbane airport at 4am (“) for the morning flight back to Melbourne.
This is an excellent race, held at one of Queensland’s more attractive places, and it was well worth the trip north.