6112 HOUR ULTRA MARATHON – BUNBURY, W.A..
27TH & 28TH FEBRUARY, 1993
Due to lack of entries this years event was almost cancelled, up until one week before I had only two entries both 12 hour runners and none for the 6 hour event. After makinq quite a number of phone calls George Audley came to the rescue by entering_ himself and two other runners, plus several others entered on the day.
We started with a total of 7 runners 4 in the 12 hour and 3 in the six hour not enough to cover costs but the Bunbury Runners Club agreed to cover the outstanding expenses.
As George Audley pointed out at our post race meetinq when an event is cancelled it very rarely re-appears therefore if Western Australia is to develop in the ultra field all events should be supported. Even if the more experienced runners use these events as training runs.
Both the 6/12 hour events started at 6 pm in perfect weather conditions. We ran on a qrassed 400 metre track for the first time this year and qot positive feedback from all runners. Unfortunately we haven’t qot a permanent track and because of the lack or entries havinq the track certified was out of the Question althouqh it was measured with a Jones wheel and tape.
Mary Morgan took of like a startled Gazelle and was never headed, this was her first ultra event and what a result 125km and 153 metres. Joe Record crewed for Mary and when asked why he was not runninq was heard to say ” with Mary runninq the competition is to tough”.
6eorge Audley had stomach trouble and battled at times but put in a determined effort even though work commitments prevented him training prior to the event.
Yours truly Mark Pritchard ran a steady race to achieve a PB. Dave Horn runninq his first ultra covered 52 km in the first 6 hours although failing to finish put in a qreat effort.
Jacqui Robinson was the winner of the 6 hour event. She has a very smooth style and ran very consistently. Jacqui and Colin fought for the lead in the early staqes but Jacqui’s experience and long leqs not only won her the race but the admiration of the onlookers.
Colin Green from Queensland celebrated his discharge from the Army by runninq his first ultra and coverinq 58 km and 88 metres. He found the going tough at times and admitted to me that nothinq he had done in the Army compared to the effort he had to muster to finish the race. He also admitted that nobody in the Army was as tough on him as was his crew manager biq Barry Edmonds (also recruited as our race masseur).
In the past Dennis Sutton has suffered injuries in this race and has shown his determination to finish regardless of the pain being suffered. This year he ran the 6 hour injury free and covered a respectable 55 km and 322 metres this should qive him the confidence for the longer events in the future.
It    was great to see women winning both the 6/12 hour and I
hope it will give other women runners confidence to enter ultra events.
Trophies were donated by Barry Edmonds, RAC, Bunbury-Runners Iq Club and our main sponsor Appelbees the Jeweller in Bunbury.

Race report

by Tony Tripp
The Ancient Olympic Games brought us the concept of a healthy mind and body. Also, the ideal of the arts in collaboration with athletics. For example, poetry and music.
Thus, since 1984,1 have had the dream of organising an ultra event with high class entertainment. I never doubted that it would become a physical reality in the future. However, when one uses the technique of mental visualisation over a period of time, the end result happens when you least expect it. The trick is in recognising this fact.
I shall illustrate this further by describing the 434kms. Geraldton to Perth ultra marathon, that started 12.30pm Thursday 15th October and finished on 18th October, 1992. The event had a 3 day 6 hour time limit.
During October, 1991, Ross Parker ran from Geraldton to Perth for Telethon, This comprises on ongoing events for charity, reaching its conclusion in a televised day of entertainment, where people pledge money to be donated to the charity nominated by Channel 7.
Channel 7 were suitably impressed by Ross Parker’s effort in completing the run from Geraldton that they wished a race to take place the following year. Hungry Jacks became the sponsor for this event. I was kindly asked by Ross Parker to advise the Channel 7 committee on the administrative aspects of the event. So Ross and I represented the runners and the Centurion Runners’ Association. Thus it became an event organised by runners, for runners, with Channel 7 dealing with the administrative duties. This collaboration worked admirably.
We thought in terms of the worst and best that could happen in this race, taking into account Murphy’s Law on the day, if anything can go wrong, it will. We created safety nets for negative conditions. We assumed nothing.
One has to take into consideration, that the Channel 7 committee – Rudi Gracias, Rhonda Fletcher and David Christison did most of the administration work in their spare time, especially Rudi, who took a keen interest in this event. Those of us in the know, admired this tremendously. I suppose it was his athletic track background coming to the fore.

Ross and I decided to keep the number of entrants down to the bare minimum, that the race would be by invitation only, and each entrant would be handicapped. This will always be so. I must point out, that Ross Parker makes the final choice where the invitation of runners is concerned, with input from myself.. Handicapping is a combined effort. Though this year, Ross worked out the handicaps, and they were proven to be correct.
Naturally Geraldton was helpful, with Garry Clarke (not of Albany) and Graeme Kickett of the local sports’ and recreation were helpful. They dealt with race affairs that affected the city.
Eight runners were invited, Bryan Smith and Cliff Young from Victoria, Wanda Foley from NSW, Kevin Mansell from S.Aust, Joe Record, Ross Parker, Mark Pritchard and George Audley from W.Aust, all chosen on their past performances.
The interstate runners were provided with crews. We took into consideration their personalities, so there were no clashes, which can happen in an event such as this. For example, we put two women in Cliff Young’s crew, knowing how he likes the fairer sex, to put zest into his spirit if he flagged somewhat during the run. I must say, Cliffy was overjoyed at this prospect.
Each van and official car had a CB police radio in the vehicle, which was used sparingly. On top of the van was a flashing light. The name of the runner was placed on the front of the vehicle. The officials were experienced. The race doctor was an ex-marathon runner, who had previously been involved with 3 of our multi-day events. Both myself and Graham Prosser, as race directors, had organised and run in ultras. Basil Thomas has crewed for me since 1985. It is important that the race officials understand an ultra runners’ mentality. Each Race Director and his driver had eight hour shifts. This is important, as without sleep, the official can be a danger to himself and the event.
We never ran with the runner unless we were asked to do so. We dealt directly with the crew chief or their representative. We tried to be helpful and friendly, never overstaying our welcome. It was our job as race directors to set the tone, as it were. We wanted it be be a positive and friendly event.
I suppose race directing is an art. Never be a know-all, listen to advice, be assertive, give clear directions, pick the best personnel possible, be clear-headed and decisive when it comes to making decisions. Never hesitate. Always be tolerant and open-minded to suggestions. I€ possible, it is advisable that you have been involved in every function involved with ultra-running. Never take yourself too seriously, that is to say, suffer from delusions of grandeur_ Rather, have a sense of humour, but at the right time and place, or else, no-one will take notice of you.

The race was started by a cannon. It took me completely by surprise, so I nearly flung myself to the ground, thinking that a grenade had gone off. It seemed to set in motion the 8 invited runners. After a few kilometres. Cliffy, Mark Pritchard and Wanda Foley continued on, while the others stopped, due to their handicaps. George Audley and Ross Parker started 3 hours later, Kevin Mansell and Joe Record 5 hours after, then last of all, Bryan Smith with a 16 hour handicap
The highlights of the event were: Ross racing George, then Mark Pritchard and Ross within sight of each other most of the race., Joe passing everyone like a startled hare and winning on handicap, Mark finishing second, the only runner not having been involved in the Sydney to Melbourne race, but beating more experienced runners. Mark’s future in ultra running looks rosy. He is our latest “discovery”.
Because of Ross’s marvellous handicapping, three runners, Bryan, Ross and Mark arrived to finish in Perth very close to one another. George Audley overcame problems to finish, as he always seems to do. He is very dependable, young George. Cliff Young, Wanda Foley and Kevin Mansell all did extremely well and were rather unfortunate in that they did not finish. However, ultra running is very unpredictable. No one really knows what they can do, as each event is a new challenge, both mentally and physically. It’s more an internal battle of mind and will over body, this battle ground of the soul.
The finish was well attended. Each runner who completed the event, was shown doing so on TV with his/her crews. The prizes were presented ‘live’ on TV in the middle of Telethon at approximately 6.30pm, with the officials, runners and crews present, in front of an audience.
After the event, Telethon and Hungry Jacks provided a well organised party with drinks and food available. This was also done at the pre-race meetings at Channel 7 and at Geraldton.
I must especially thank Hungry Jacks, Channel 7 and Rudi, who is a real gentleman in every sense of the word. I must also thank the crews, (many of whom wish to participate in the event next year), the officials and the runners. Many of them want to be a part of this great race again next year.

RESULTS:    Time started    Handicap    Finish time    Actual time taken

Joe RECORD    8pm Thurs    7.5 hrs.    6:05:22 Sunday    2d.00 hrs 5 min 22s.
Bryan SMITH    5am Frid    16.5 his    12:29:02 Sunday    2d 07 his 29min 02s
Ross PARKER    3.30pm Thurs    3.0 hrs    13:34:46 Sunday    2d 22 hrs 4 min 46s.
Mark PRITCHARD    12.30 pm Thurs    0.0 hrs    11:59:18 Sunday    2d 23 his 29 min 18s
George AUDLEY    3.30pm Thurs    3.0 hrs    17:28:37 Sunday    3d 01 his 58 min 37s
DNF:                Distance covered

Cliff YOUNG    12.30pm Thurs    0.0 hrs    11:25: Sunday    367km
Wanda FOLEY    12.30pm Thurs    0.0 hrs    9:30 Sunday    301.6km
Kevin MANSELL    8nm Thurs    7.5 his    19:54 Friday    170km

An Ultra with a Twist!

Author Unknown

THE 1992 GOLDSWORTHY BLACKROCK STAKES
June 29th. 1992
A different and somewhat peculiar endurance race takes place every year in the north west of Australia. Started as a fundraising activity it has evolved into both a serious and sociable event. The original idea was to push a wheelbarrow of iron ore from iron ore town of Goldsworthy to Port Hedland – a distance of 120 kms. Fifteen years on Goldsworthy town is about to be closed, the distance has been shortened to 108 kms but the event is as popular as ever. Teams of 10, trios, duos and lone runners now push modified wheelbarrows containing 11 kgs of iron ore over the distance.
After surviving a hot summer in the north west living in Shay Gap ( a small iron ore mining town ) i started running training in April and agreed, to attempt a duo ‘Stakes . My partner was Darryl Podmore a seasoned Blackrock Stakes ‘veteran’ with 3 previous duo and two full team runs under his belt. We secured sponsorship from a friendly drilling company, had a new light weight,well balanced wheelbarrow built in Port Hedland and persuaded a support crew to give up a Saturday.
The big day turned out to be warm for winter in the north west and peaked at _34°c . Lone runners set off at allotted times from early Saturday morning followed by a succession of duos, trios, and full teams with the basic idea of getting everybody to finish in Port Hedland before midnight. Darryl and i set off at 3 pm and decided on “short changes” – initially 45 seconds for the first 8 kms on the gravel road and then 30 second changes on the bitumen. A platform extended out from the support vehicle ( one of the mine buses ) so that you could quickly leap on and off the bus. The music was cranked up loud and the support crew tempted by a big night out in Port Hedland made sure Darryl and i were well fed and watered.
Every thing went well at first. We averaged just under 16 km/hr for the first two hours- OK not that fast but just try running without using your arms which is what it effectively was like. It was certainly warm and we both discarded our T shirts and the time seem to pass fairly quickly. At about the De Grey bridge ( 30 kms ) i started to feel a bit of stiffness in the top of my legs from jumping off the bus – not the best since we still had a long way to go. Somehow Darryl was leaping off the platform and using the momentum to move
forward while i couldn’t get it right. I now knew the run was not going to be straightforward.

Three hours into the run i began to tire, Darryl was going well and changeovers were difficult because he was pushing the barrow faster than i was. I tried to change my technique , slipped and fell off the platform. Darryl guessed what had happened and pushed the barrow for an extra couple of minutes.
A grazed knee and hand but fortunately no serious cuts or the, run would have been over. Our pace now dropped to 12 km/hr.
Five hours and the normal intense Pilbara sunset was over and it was dark. The bus had special spotlL.ghts on the side which helped. We started to pass groups of people out camped by the roadside – groups get together each year, have a BBQ and watch the ‘Stakes. Every change was now painful for me – the jarring of leaping from the bus, 30 seconds of shuffling , 30 seconds of rest on the bus and so on. The lights of Port Hedland were visible at this stage but we still had 45 kms to go.
Seven hours …..our pace was now steady at just over 12 kms. We hit the Port Hedland – South Hedland road and in an extremely tired state i hit the kerb with the wheelbarrow but managed to correct.    Darryl was still by far the strongest although he too had tired .    We pushed slowly towards the floodlit arena finish area. A crowd of over a 1000 people were at the finish – not all to watch the ‘Stakes mind you but to enjoy the live band,fair, beer tent etc. We crossed the line in 7 hrs 32 rains , one lone runner finished in 12 hours 30 rains and the full team section was won by the Dampier Salt Shakers in 4 hrs 20 rains ( average speed 25 km/hr ). Twenty eight teams completed the event.
Overall it was.a very painful experience for me and there is a real risk of injury for anyone competing. However it is a great occasion and there must be some of the best support for an endurance race that i know about. Sadly the ‘Stakes will have to change the course next year because the town of Goldsworthy will be ” returned to nature ” within the next few weeks. However if there is a similar run next year and you happen to be up this then give it some consideration.

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