It's Extreme

arathon - by Lorraine Law

It was still dark when competitors here in training this is my favourite track rejoined Black Mountain Road arrived at the start line for the third section along the course, despite at the 45 km mark. Runners took and final race in the Road other runners complaining that it the opportunity to fill up hydration Runners FNQ Trail Running series on was slow-going and rough under systems, drink some Endura (to a cool, cloudy 28th of August in 2011. foot. The highlight for me, about 37 prevent the impending cramping) The runners were anxious to get on kms into the race, was the first of and grab a handful of lollies before their way, running from the small the Twin Bridges - now dilapidated, covering the next 2 kms to reach tourist town of Kuranda to another with the large logs collapsed into the "Top of the Bump" - another - the famous in Far the shallow creek. Ditto for the checkpoint. More· chocolate cake North . The prospect of second bridge, just a short distance and the most fantastic, energy-filled spending the next 64 km traversing further. It was also along here that slice you'll ever eat! I'm convinced native rainforest, open eucalypt we reached the marathon mark in it's what finallygot me over the line. forest, pine plantations, and The recipe is in the Cairns picturesque creeks appealed Road Runners October to the 32 competitors, 2011 Newsletter. including myself, who set off at first light at 6.00 am. Stuffinga couple of pieces of the slice into the side The scenic route is pockets of my running incorporated in the Mowbray skirt, I headed down the National Park, within the Wet 6 km historic Bump Track. Tropics World Heritage Area, But I use the term 'down' where the endangered fairly loosely, as a study southern cassowary, a two of the profile of the race metre tall flightless bird, still reveals numerous inclines roams the rainforest areas along this section. The including the first section of Bump Track offers views of the race along Black Mountain the Mowbray River valley, Road. Those who had studied where the Mowbray River the profile knew that the first drops through a gorge 10 kms was to be a steady carved into the forested climb. Beyond that, there foothills of the Macalister was another 16 kms along Lorraine Lawson Et Emma Mills 3rd, 4th at Kuranda Range. It was blazed in 1877 the dusty dirt road. I filledup by Christie Palmerston, a my little 250 ml plastic bottle prominent bushman and at the drink stations dotted pathfinder of the times, along this section, until I reached the the race. A great feeling, knowing and was the main access from the first checkpoint called Quaid Road. It there was only another 22 k to Hodgkinson Goldfield to the port in was a welcome relief with chocolate go. After cyclone Yasi in February Port Douglas. The Bump Track was cake and friendly faces. 2011 this track was impassable, infamous for its steepness, especially but the hard workers from DERM the section known as Slatey Pinch After collecting my compression - a cutting through slate rock at a bandage (to treat snake bites) and (Department of Environment and Resource Management) had ensured steep 1 in 3 grade - one kilometre whistle, I reluctantly said goodbye from the bottom of the Bump. to the lovely volunteers at the the track was cleaned up prior to our event. Despite this, there were Competitors probably knew little checkpoint. Within a kilometre, I about the history of this track, and turned off Black Mountain Road into still plenty of wait-a-while - a nasty vine with razor-sharp spines that found out first hand just how steep the "Twin Bridges Track," passing it is. By the time I got onto the Bump the SES personnel keeping a keen will grab onto your skin or tear your clothes. You don't have to be from track, with another 17 kms to go, the eye on competitors. This 18 km front runners had already crossed the track, shaded by large rainforest the region to figure out that stepping high over the fallen branches of the finish line and were having a swim trees.,.Jpllows the route of the in the ocean to cool their tired legs. origJp)tBlack Mountain Road to the wait-a-while reduces the repeat of torn flesh around the ankles. Up until now we were running in 3 u overcast conditions, with a couple :::!� 11i�i{� :�:� ��fs\ �����u�� It was therefore a welcome relief of little drops of rain, but the sky track · N rail runners, walkers and to spot the marshals where the through the trees on the Bump was nipy6£ /:!.t?Jkers. Having run along

ULTRAMAG Pagel6 now a clear, brilliant blue and the sun was blazing down in typical FNQ style. I travelled KURANDA slowly down the single track, and walked the Pl Time Last Name First M/F last few kilometres; it was just too steep to 1 5:45:14 Carter Ben M run. The panoramic views were fantastic and I regretted not bringing along a camera. 2 5:47:14 Robinson Glen M 3 6:11:10 Bartsch Brad M A little crowd of volunteers were waiting patiently at the bottom of the Bump, 4 6:15:52 Herrmann Matthew M including one runner who was cramping 5 6:17:17 Prytz Arnstein M too badly to continue. After slapping on some sunscreen and stretching my calves, I 6 6:34:46 Narywonczyk Tynan M headed off along the bitumen towards Port. 7 6:36:57 Fearon Keith M This was the toughest part of the race for 6:38:44 Peter M me. Not eating enough· at the checkpoint 8 Cross earlier was a mistake, and I was left fishing 9 6:41:58 Sager Julie F for crumbs left over from the slice in my 10 6:47:31 Scoines Robert M side pockets. With a headwind and a hot bitumen road, the few kilometres along this 11 6:48:17 Lawson Larry M section felt like forever. For me it was that 12 7:01:28 Cavin Ben M one section in the race where I would have loved to sit down and cry but, as that was 13 7:05:01 Weaver Brad M only going to prolong my agony, I relented 14 7:09:31 Briscoe Judith F and walked sections where there was a bit 15 7:20:03 Willetts Roy M of shade available. Finally, after travelling on a dirt track adjacent to a sugarcane 16 7:20:04 Le Roux Mike M plantation and passing a few more marshals 17 7:27:00 Duncan Kevin M and a drink station, I reached the southern end of the beach. 18 7:28:21 Jakubovsky Taras M 19 7:31:10 Miller Robert M One of the many attractions of Port Douglas, Four Mile Beach is considered to be one of 20 7:38:58 McClelland Terry M the best in . The sand 21 7:40:32 Titmus Steven M is so firm that the beach has been used for 22 7:47:57 M horse races and mountain bike races, and Hawthorne Neil also as a landing strip for small planes. With 23 7:55:17 Whittle Ivan M low tide at 2.15 pm on race day, there was 24 8:02:00 Valentine Ian M a broad section of the beach to run on. On any other day this 3.8 km stretch, with kite 25 8:05:25 English Stephen M surfers on the ocean side and sunbathers 26 8:49:38 Piercy ldan M on the palm-lined beach side, would be a 27 M pleasant experience. But not today - after 8:54:53 Moore Nathan 60 kms! Despite the clear skies, my Garmin 28 8:54:53 Dobbs Simon M GPS watch seemed to refuse to tick off the 29 09:30.2 Lawson Lorraine F metres as I (mostly) walked along the beach. But finally, like the 28 runners before me, 30 9:42:09 Mills Emma F I reached the end of this iconic, inaugural 31 9:42:34 Elms David M 64 km Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra - third from last and third out of the four women in 32 DNF Wojciechowski Daniel M the race. It took me 9 hours 30 minutes. The winners had long ago gone home (winning times 5 hrs 45 mins for first male and 6 hrs 42 mins for first female). The four pairs of North Face trail running shoes, and numerous random draw prizes donated by the sponsor, It's Extreme, had all been handed out. Yet there were many friends waiting to cheer me over the line. And yes, I'll be back for sure in 2012. What a fantastic race!

Finish line photo by Sam Cullen

ULTRAMAG Page 17 Kuranda to Port Douglas The next checkpoint is at the top of by Stephen English the Bump Track. Here I catch up with fellow AURA runner, Neil Hawthorne, Mission: Get out of cold, wet in his distinctive singlet. He isn't Newcastle for a tropical holiday! waiting for me though and soon disappears down the track. Here's What to do when we get there: Go where we get to do most of our for a run of course! down-hilling, but for this old guy it was mostly walking as it was just too I needed to be training for the steep to risk running and crashing. GNW100, and had to be doing some It was a relief to get to the bottom longer runs.... So I check out the and clear the dust and stones from AURA events page and up pops the my shoes. All level now to the end .Kuranda to Port Douglas 64 k on the - an easy jog through the cane fields, 28th August. Perfect! and under the Cook Highway, to the southern end of Port Douglas and 4 At 5am on the morning of the run, Mile Beach. I meet up with Pam and it is dark and wet, but cold. My not Bernie who have been marshalling crew and I are the first to arrive, as the back streets. They have had a we weren't sure how long the drive long day but it is not over for me up to Kuranda would be. My wife, yet. Bernie gets his joggers on and Pam, and my good mate, Bernie, joins me on the beach. Pam elects have volunteered to be marshals for to meet us at the finish at the Port the day. The rest of the ladies in our Douglas Surf Club. Stephen English - Kuranda. Photo tropical holiday group decided to courtesy of Christine Bell stay in bed and go shopping later. Race planners take note.... ALL RUNS SHOULD FINISH AT A BAR ON Thirty plus keen runners line up THE BEACH! But, this is Queensland on the gravel road heading north I would highly recommend this and this is what happens when you and we are off. These FNQ runners run to everyone. It was very well go to the beach in Queensland; don't hang around, and I am soon organised and catered for by the the sun comes out! The 4-mile jog left to myself to plod through the Cairns Roadrunners. Especially if along a FNQ beach in the sun drains forest in the wet and dark. But it you want to do a PB over distance the last out of this southern boy, is not cold. - it's downhill and finishes at a bar and it becomes very much a test of on the beach. What more motivation endurance. I'm glad to have Bernie Soon· I settle into a nice easy jog do you need! with me to remind me that Pam is as this is a training run and I have ordering the beer. I was planning on all day to enjoy the bush in FNQ. a sub 8-hour trip and did it in 8.05 ... The first 20 kms is on easy gravel That beach is loooong. road with a well-stocked friendly checkpoint at the end. The mid section (27 kms) is on the old Black Mountain Road. This is vehicle-free for the use of runners, hikers and bikers.

The only mandatory gear for this run is a snake bandage and whistle, and this is the section you may need them. But they didn't warn us about the "wait a while" vine. These are like thin strands of barbed wire that hang down in the middle of the track and will pull off your cap or, worse still, wrap around your neck. Eit'1er way you come to a sudden stop. When they fall onto the track they »-JlJ snag around your shoes, and •. eviinwrap around bike chains antl:..;:.;..,.,., ...

The bump track

ULTRAMAG Page 18 Kuranda to Port Douglas Kuranda, QLD August 26, 2012 by Mandy-Lee Noble We chose to stay in Kuranda so The rnn was set to staii just after that we only had a short drive to daybreak so race registration the staii line. Chris, Mallani and I was in the dark, but I still had the arrived in Cairns two days before chance to meet many of the other the race, and spent Saturday runners including iron woman and relaxing and eating lots of great accomplished ultra-rnnnerMichelle raw food treats from the famous Duffield, who had travelled from Kuranda Markets. Regular ultra­ Western Australia, Townsville runner, the ever-cheerful Marina Road Runner John Nuttall (wearing Brun-Smits, who travelled from a GlasshouselO0 race t-shirt circa Sydney, also joined us on Saturday. 1995), and race favorite Oliver Zambon, who only natTowly made On Saturday night we settled into it in time to registration. The Cairns our regular pre-race routine. The Road Runners' President and Race plan is an early night and waking Director, Lorraine Lawson, then as late as possible in the morning. conducted the race briefing. This Hydration packs are filled with included a quick lesson in snake water, electrolyte, gels, treats and bite first aid, and a warning about mandatory gear the night before, the cassowaries. ready to go in the morning. We The run is divided into three distinct Oliver Zambon pushing to a new course record and then enjoyed our traditional pre­ sections; the first section includes overall winner! -photo courtesy Lorraine Lawson race meal of "kanga bangas" and After freezing on The North Face Legs 1 and 2, an initial 27km of wasabi-mashed potatoes fordinner, undulating bitumen and then dirt 100 (TNF 100) start line, and followedby frozen raspberries and a dreary, wet beginning to the road along Black Mountain Road. yoghurt fordesse1i, beforeheading The second section consists of Leg Kokoda Challenge, I made the to bed. decision that my next ultra had to 3, 21km of tropical forest trails be somewhere warm and sunny. The followingmorning the curlews along the twin bridges track, then The Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra woke me up just before the alarm. back onto Black Mountain Road. seemed like a great oppmiunity Chris made porridge for everyone Leg 4 is 6km long and includes to escape the winter blues and and the girls dragged themselves the descent down the 'Bump', with beautiful views of the Mowbray run the beautiful tropical North out of bed. Everyone seemed quite River valley. Finally, the last Queensland trails, at a time of relaxed as we discussed race plans year when the climate permitted it. section of Leg 5 is a flat 10km rnn and target times over breakfast. The along sealed bitumen road and then As usual, my husband Chris was nerves started to show before we easily convinced to join me, as was compacted sand along Four Mile set off on the five minute drive to Beach. my good friend and fellowAURA the start line, with a few last minute member, Mallani Moloney. bathroom visits and gear checks. The race started at 6:00am sharp, My Kokoda Challenge team mate Brad Bartsch and his wife Judy Briscoe had run the inaugural Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra in 2011, as had our companions at TNF 100 Tegwen Howell and Cairns Road Runner David Elms. So I hit them up for tips on the race and was told to expect it to be hot and humid, even though it was winter, and to keep my feet clear of the razor-sharp rainforest lawyer vine. However, my greatest fear was crossing paths with an unhappy cassowary bird, which I Runners ready to greet the day! -photo courtesy Lorraine Lawson had heard could chase or kick you.

ULTRAMAG Page 21 at a cracking pace. I am not a my Garmin beeped; even if gravity was very surprised to have finished fantastic road runner, in fact, as had done most of the work. in 6:06 and in 6th place. Although I I only run around 40km in an was the firstfemale to finish, it was average training week mostly on At the bottom of 'The Bump' the course led out of the bush land and by the narrowest of margins. As I the trails in my local area. My plan had suspected Michelle Duffield forthis race was simple. In the first onto sealed bitumen road; now there was no escape from the heat of the was gaining on me in the last section I would just to try to stick section and finished in 6:07. My with Chris and hope he could keep midday sun. I knew I would findthe up with Michelle Duffield, then last section the most challenging husband, Chris Noble, followed use the trails to my advantage and of the course, and I would have to Michelle into 8th place in 6: 11. hold on at the end. Meanwhile ' the push hard to continue running in the heat. The next 10km was going to The amazing Oliver Zambon race leaders Oliver Zambon and outclassed us all by finishing well Ben Gerhardy disappeared into offerve1y little shade, so I asked the ahead of the pack in 5:27, while the distance not to be seen again checkpoint volunteer to spray me until the finish line. I was hoping down with the water hose and then Ben Gerhardy, who came 2nd, also that they would be enough to scare set off as two runners disappeared beat the previous race record with away the cassowaries for those of into the distance about 600 meters 5 :41. Craig Mann came in third us who followedin their wake. ahead. overall, running hard at the end to come under 6 hours. Local Cairns Continuing through the streets of Once we got to the firstcheckpoint runner, Dan Yeoman, was the third at the end of Leg 2, I was ve1y Port Douglas, acutely aware of how slow my pace was on the road, I female finisher, while Mallani and happy to see the twin bridges trail Marina also both posted great times ahead. There was a mandato1y gear ran as much as I could with short check; I showed my snake bandage walk breaks. Michelle Duffield is despite the increasing heat of the to the marshals and then decided a proven ultra runner on the flat' early afternoon. Congratulations not to stop but to run through the and I felt sure that she was going to all who participated, and to checkpoint. I thought I would try to overtake me. My excitement the Cairns Road Runners for to cover as much ground as I could and pace picked up when I reached organising such a successful event before Chris and Michelle caught the Four Mile Beach entrance and which, I am sure, is set to grow. up to me. The sun was rising and realised that I was going to reach Kuranda to Port Dou1das 64km the day was already starting to heat Cat Cat the finishing line Rank Time Last Name First Name up, but the rainforest was cool and Place Place well within my b�autiful. I kept up a good pace, l l 5:27:19 Zambon Oliver with the exception of a fewtangles target time of 2 2 5:41:57 Gerhardy Ben in the lawyer vines. At 35km I 6:15. I could see 3 3 5:57:01 Mann Craig caught up with Craig Mann and the finish line so 4 4 6:01:58 Morgan Kristian John Drysdale and kept up with I ran along the 5 5 6:04:07 Drysdale John them through the creek crossings. compacted sand 6 l 6:06:18 Noble Mandy We heard lots of curlews in the and among the 7 2 6:07:45 Duffield Michelle rainforest but, to my relief, the only beach goers. I 8 6 6:11:16 Noble Chris cassowaries we encountered were caught a glimpse 9 7 6:49:15 Nuttall John pictured on council warningsigns. of a runner ahead 10 8 6:58:20 Lawson Larry in the distance, From Checkpoint 2, until the 11 9 6:59:59 Von David who I thought 12 3 7:09:46 Yeoman Dan bottom of the bump, I lost sight of might be John Craig and John but I did not miss 13 10 7:13:16 Willetts Roy D1ysdale, and 14 4 7:20:50 Moloney Mallani the company, as this was the best even passed a section of trail of whole the race. It -15 -11 7:39:12 O'Mahony Bryan couple of the -15 =11 7:39:12 O'Mahony Ronan was a winding and slightly technical relay runners. connection from the rainforest to 17 13 8:11:34 Gavan Bogdan The last 5km 18 5 8:26:39 Brun-Smits Marina the coastal bush land at the top of along the beach 'The Bump'. I enjoyed it so much 19 14 8:29:21 Elms David in the heat did 6 underfoot that for a moment I lost 20 8:31:41 Hawkes Leigh seem to drag on, 7 8:33:02 Lorraine concentration and beganto wonder 21 Lawson and the last 100 22 9:15:30 Ratcliffe Scott whether I had strayed off course. 15 meters through 23 16 9:32:33 Donnellan Colin However, once I hit the head of the softsand took -24 -17 10:52:10 Nutley Simon 'The Bump Track" there was no all the energy I -24 =17 10:52:10 Guest Douglas mistaking the iconic trail with just had left. DNF 19 DNF Harrison Neil over 2km of sharp decent. It was DNF 20 DNF Harris Matty encouraging to see a sub-5min When I crossed Bold SURNAME indicates AURA member. kilometer flash on the screen when the finish line I

ULTRAMAGPage 22 Alice Springs Ultra Marathon ~ 60km Alice Springs UltraMarathon ~ 60km Cat Cat First Cat Cat First Rank Time Last Name Rank Time Last Name Place Place Name Place Place Name 1 1 4:29:30 Warburton Caine 12 4 5:55:24 Everett Tara 2 2 4:50:22 Eadie David 13 9 5:56:27 Bussey Steven 3 3 4:56:31 McCann Joseph 14 10 5:58:00 Horwood Chris 4 1 4:58:37 Kwong Ruby 15 11 6:01:05 Underhill Richard 5 2 5:02:11 Wynd Nikki 16 5 6:30:35 Simpson Christine 6 4 5:13:04 Snook Jeff 17 12 6:34:10 English Stephen 7 5 5:14:48 Thomas Gareth 18 6 7:28:19 Brousseau Caroline 8 3 5:31:00 Lamrock Emily DNF Faatz Patrik 9 6 5:37:20 Smit Rocco DNF Lamont Mathew 10 7 5:38:44 Delport Stephen DNF Schaugaard Jered 11 8 5:42:18 Cargill Darren Bold SURNAME indicates AURAmember.

Kuranda to Port Douglas Cairns, QLD August 25, 2013 by Mallani Moloney The adventure began whilst heading down in the lift in our accommodation in Cairns. We scared the living daylights out of some very drunk punters, with their McDonalds in hand, not expecting to see people dressed for their day at 4am in ridiculous running clothes. I never thought I looked scary enough to make a grown woman scream but, apparently, I do. I completed Kuranda to Port Douglas last year and was keen to come back for another crack. Not only does tropical North Qld have a special place in my heart, but I was convinced I could run it faster. I called upon my ever faithful ultra running buddies, Susannah Harvey-Jamieson and Marina Brun­ Smits, to join me for a weekend away. Well, it was like twisting a rubber arm as they didn't take much convincing. I was excited about this race because not only is this race a 'downhill' course (with only about 700m of ascent and 1,000m descent) but, as the name suggests, it is point to point. The first 54km is on glorious cool, shaded rainforest trails, with a mix of fire trail and single track. With about three creek crossings, which are great cooling off spots, and 6km on country roads, you then hit the famousFour Mile Beach for the final4km. My running training lead-up for this event had been fairly pitiful, having had about three different foot injuries in my left foot, continuously, since February Mallani Moloney taking a reji-eshingdip 011 course! this year. Needless to say, I was a little nervous about Photo Credit Dave O'Brien how my foot would hold up, but decided I would put

UL71/AMAG Page 19 that to the back of my mind and just enjoy running Kuranda to Port Douglas UltraMarathon 64km and taking in the scenery. Cat Cat First Rank Time Last Name Place Place Name My race strategy was simple: hold about 5 :40min/km 1 1 5:14:07 Robinson Glen average pace for the first 27km where I knew it was 2 2 5:44:39 Cunningham Steve undulating fire trails ( and also the coolest part of the 3 1 5:52:38 Wynd Nikki day), and then try and cling onto 'around' 6min/km 4 3 5:59:53 O'Sullivan Connor pace and see where it got me. I had a quick glance at 5 4 6:20:44 Yeoman Scott the starters list and saw the likes of Nikki Wynd and 6 5 6:26:41 O'Mahony Bryan Isobel Bespalov in the ladies field and decided I had 7 6 6:28:23 Jakubovsky Taras seen enough, knowing there was no point trying to 8 7 6:31 :39 Watters Donal race them, but focus on my own pacing. 9 8 6:33:58 Von Senden David The first 27km went to plan; I spent most of this 10 2 6:44:13 Moloney Mallani talking to anyone who was running around me (yes, I 11 3 6:45:33 Bespalov Isobel love talking on the trail!) and ran almost step forstep 12 9 6:49:03 Ausburn Jarrod with Lynne Seeto, who had made the journey from 13 10 6:57:54 O'Mahony Ronan Papua New Guinea especially for the race. There 14 11 7:09:07 Lawson Larry were two ladies in front of us at this point, and I left 15 12 7:10:35 Narywonczyk Tynan the 27km checkpoint checking to see if Lynne was in 16 4 7:11 :42 West Sarah tow with me, but I was on my own fromhere on in. 17 5 7:17:57 Seeto Lynne 18 13 7:21:18 Lynch Ciaran Well, the 6min/kmpace went out the window when I 19 14 7:39:06 OBrien Dave hit the technical trail. Although I love it, it's really not 20 6 7:39:06 de Zoete Rachel my forte. I was plodding quite gingerly over the rocks, 21 15 7:42:20 Dyer Ben nursing my foot and on the lookout for"Wait a While," 22 7 7:43:42 Brun-Smits Marina a vine that sticks into your skin and tears you to shreds! 23 16 7:56:02 Ewing Paul It really started to warm up so I enjoyed the creek 24 17 7:56:03 Davies Peter crossings that followed. Eventually I ran down the 25 18 7:59:35 English Stephen lady coming 2nd and was then sitting in 2nd position 26 8 8:01:23 Murfin Lisa myself. I had been waiting, and waiting, for Isobel to 27 19 8:04:48 Overend Craig pass me as I knew how strong she was. Sure enough, 28 9 8:09:16 Harvey-Jamieson Susannah when I stopped at the 48km checkpoint she came past. 29 10 8:10:45 Mellinger Catherine 30 11 8: 11:51 Farnsworth Tennille It was the home stretch and all I had to do was go 31 20 8:17:44 Wright Stephen down the famous "Bump Track": 300m descent in 32 12 8:23:51 Griffiths Sarah 2km, then hit the road, the beach, and I was home. 33 13 8:33:38 Sweeting Heidi Waahoo ! I was happy to hit Four Mile Beach for the 34 21 8:41:08 Ellershaw Robert last 4km and enjoy the distractions of watching people 35 14 8:41:08 Webster Marian sunbaking, kiting and swimming. I re-passed Isobel 36 22 8:49:47 Elms David on the beach who said some lovely things to me, and 37 15 8:49:47 Lawson Lorraine I realised how much pain she was in and know in any 38 23 9:58:09 Gadhvi Bharat other race she would flogme. 39 24 9:58:09 Donnellan Colin I crossed the finish line as 2nd place female,in a time Bold SURNAME indicates AURA member. of 6:44:13, to be greeted by Nikki who had a ripper of a run coming in 1st place female in 5:52:38, and breaking Mandy's previous course record. Isobel One of the best parts of this trip was spending the came in shortly behind me in 3rd in 6:45:33. I was weekend with some great mates and making new over the moon to see Marina come in with a massive friends in the process. And I will never forget the PB, and Susannah finish her first ultra in nearly two celebration dinner to follow with Susannah, Marina, years. Nildd and Isobel sharing a bottle ofVeuve champagne This race is a signature N 01ih Queensland affair - and swapping war stories and gossip. What an laidback, tropical, scenic, no fuss and hospitable. I'll inspiring bunch of ladies I am honoured to have met never forget getting handed a can of Coke, closely and now have in my life. This race was definitely followed by a Vegemite sandwich, on that finishline. worth the weekend away!

ULTRAMAG Page 20 Kuranda to Port Douglas Ultra 23 August 2015 By Rob Scoines

I was looking for a break from a particularly cold NSW winter and also wanted some variety in my build-up for the GNW 100 miler. What better place to go than FNQ and what better event to enter than K2PD?

Having experienced the 64km event in 2011 I knew what to expect - ie, a good challenge with a variety of terrain and surroundings, " and friendly and efficient event ...... --" - �-:,.. �� management. This year's event did not disappoint.

I started in the half-light with someone with whom I had running and with the reflection of the heat, 35 fellow solo runners and a and the Central Coast in common. those of us who were used to representative of the relay team training in � 1 0-15 degrees, started "Trail Chicks". Unfortunately the The course deviated onto single to feel the pressure. I struggled "Cirque de sore legs" team didn't trail after the 21km check point. through this section but managed make it to the start. Hopefully their This is the section I enjoyed the to keep my legs turning over, albeit legs will be feeling better next most - narrow trails, undulating slowly, and arrived at the beach. year. The start line was at the top to hilly, close vegetation, all run­ of the range near Kuranda. Note to able, no snakes, and a few creek The beach section was more self: even though you know the run crossings, the deepest of which was pleasant than the road, but it seemed is essentially in daylight, still take knee high. I pushed things along like it was never going to end. It your headlamp. It comes in handy through this section. After 18km of was in fact 3 .5km long. I was joined when using the portaloo before the this we came out for another couple by the firstfemale along this section race start. of kilometres on gravel road before and ultimately I finished okay in the next check point where there The first 20+ kilometres followed 7.02, about an hour behind the first was plenty of fruit, water, sweets an undulating gravel road called finisher and in 5th place overall. and encouragement on offer. Then Black Mountain Road which we were back on to single trail. took us through a variety of I took a long while to recover environments including rainforest Although most of the next single before I made my way to the water and open areas. I particularly trail section was downhill, there to enjoy a very enjoyable and enjoyed running under the were still a few sharpish inclines refreshing post run swim. rainforest canopy. There was and my legs started to feel heavy. We were off the beach by the time very limited vehicular traffic, just Ultimately we came to the top of the the afternoon downpour occurred us runners and the cassowaries. Bump Track and a few kilometres and happily enjoyed the cafes of While I didn't actually see any of very steep descent. At this point I Port Douglas soon afterwards. cassowaries it was nice to know was very glad that the event wasn't they were there somewhere in the run in the reverse direction. Overall the run provided lots of bush. My strategy involved taking variety in terrain and views. It it very easy through this section. At the bottom of the Bump Track was also very well organised by There were a few small groups of we were onto the bitumen for a runners who were for the most part few kilometres. This was my least happy and motivated people, and fairly relaxed and open to a chat. favourite section. By this stage it it provided me with an opportunity I came across a fellow Terrigal had warmed up. Prior to this the to spend a few days in a beautiful Trotter who had moved to FNQ a temperature had been relatively part of Australia with my very, few years ago. I had never met Rob mild and pleasant. However the very supportive wife. What more E. before but it was good to meet road section was more exposed, could an ultra runner wish for?

UL TRAMAG Page JJ I(uranda to Port Douglas 64km 14 August 2016 By David Von Senden

Hosted by Dynamic Running of comfOliable pace with two manned by Leith, one of the Cairns the Kuranda to Port others, both of whom I had many volunteers who I know Douglas (K2PD) 64km is a recently met at the 3 Marathons well. She told me I was actually point to point race starting just in 3 Days event so I decided to in 3rd place. I couldn't believe off the Kennedy Highway in run with them. The three of us it. It was a great fe eling but I Kuranda. The course runs made it to the 26km checkpoint fe lt more pressured as I pushed through native rainforest, open in 2.10 which I was quite on. Another kilometre or so and eucalypt forest, pine plantations pleased with as I that was ahead I caught sight of the runner in and across picturesque creeks. of my time last year. We left the 2nd place but I couldn't close It is a scenic course checkpoint and headed to the the gap. Then he suddenly lost incorporating the MowQlay Twin Bridges track staying pace and began stretching. The National Park in the wet tropics together for about 8km at which poor bugger had cramped up. It world heritage area. It is a time I decided to increase the was a bitter sweet moment as I relatively flat course with more pace and push on. The last few made sure he was okay and descent than ascent making it kilometres through Twin pressed on. I have been passed an ideal step up into the world Bridges had some ascent which in the same area a fe w times in of ultra marathons. Competitors took a toll and I slowed more the past for the same reason. are made up of a mix of solo than I'd have liked to get However my empathy soon and team entries. through it. However, I made it turned to elation as it hit me to the 48lan checkpoint in 4.05 that I had moved into 2nd It was 5.30am and dark as we so I was still making good time. position with only the beach run lined up at the registration desk, to go. blinding each other with Not looking forward to the headlamps in the excitement of steep descent of the "Bump I made it to the beach in 5.14 the event. I received my bib Track" I topped up with but I knew it would be hard which was number 1 as I had Tailwind and prepared myself work and I was painfully aware won the event last year with for the final leg of the race. that my newly acquired 2nd what was the slowest winning Although the lead up to "the place could evaporate in a flash. time for the event. However, at bump" is undulating and free I looked down the long sloping age 59, any win is a bonus and flowing I have often cramped arc of the beach but could only taken with both hands. Having through here. Luckily this year I see a haze where I lmew the reviewed the competitors list I only suffered a few worrying finish line was hiding. It was at knew that my previous time twinges. My body was this stage I thought I couldn't would not be in the ball park becoming fatigued and every keep it up and slowed to a walk, this year and had decided that if step became painful on the way and had visions of being passed I could improve on last year I down. It was the slowest section by any number of runners along may have a chance of making it of the race for me. However, I the beach. The one saving grace into the top five. got to the bottom with 10lan to this year was a gusty tailwind go in 4.40 and thought that if I blowing up the beach. At this The race is a staggered start could just hold it together I point I gave myself an upper cut with the slower runners starting would beat my time from last and said that if I was ever going an hour earlier than the main year and come in 4th or 5th to run this beach, today was the group. As I am good at not place. day and so with a deep resolve I stretching I eased into the first pushed on making it to the few kilometres not knowing The 6lan run to the beach has finish line in 2nd place in a time how many runners were in front always been hard and this year of 5.38, which was 26 minutes of me due to the dark start. At was no exception. Running quicker than last year. I was one around the 7km mark I found along the paths to the beach I relieved and euphoric runner. that I was keeping a approached a drink stop

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