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The Ultra Gods Smiled Upon Us Anubha Baird A few days before this year's 21st Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Festival of Running (October 16-17th 2004), amidst all the last minute intensity and craziness I stopped for a wee moment and took a few deep breaths. In my momentary stillness I felt my heart whispering: "relax, this is going to be a great race." There were three events this year: the AURA National 24 Hour Championship and the 12 Hour and 6 Hour Events. The forecast temperature was a fine and sunny 23 and the venue: the stunning Santos Stadium, Adelaide, South Australia. As always we lovingly anticipated the return of the Event faithfuls who have been coming for so many years. This year we were also excited about meeting the thirteen (of a total of thirty) competitors who were travelling from all over Australia to compete in this Festival for the first time. After a moving and at times hilarious pre-race pasta party the night before the race (we watched tv footage collected from the last twenty years of the Festival), the runners were well fuelled to commence their awesome journeys. The 24 Hour and the 12 Hour events started together at 8am on Saturday with the 6 Hour commencing at 12 noon. Right from the Festival's onset their seemed to be a "good feeling" amongst the runners and on the track. In fact, if memory serves me favourably many of the runners started their epic journey still sharing a big laugh at a last minute joke. With the aid station well supplied with drinks and treats, the lap scorers fully briefed; ready and eager, the medical staff set up raring to go and those tireless cooks upstairs in the kitchen serving away, the race was under way without a hitch. Sixteen brave warriors in the 24 Hour and five in the 12 Hour had begun their journey around Adelaide's favourite stadium. The first marathon was reached at 3:32:41 by last year's 24 Hour National Champion Mick Francis (WA). The next by newcomer John Reidy (NSW) in 3:47:40. This year there were two women entering the Adelaide 24 Hour for the first time. Sarah Barnett (a member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in Melbourne) and 23 year old Felicity Joyce from NSW. Typifying the spirit of ultra running I fondly recall Felicity's comments to Sarah when they were first introduced to one another: "I'll help you through your tough times and you'll help me through my tough times, that's what it's all about". Sarah passed through the marathon at 4:39:38 and Felicity at 4:42:40. Peter Lahiff (12 Hour) from Qld was entering his first track ultra and hoped to challenge age category records for the 12 Hour and 100km and looked strong and steady passing the marathon at 4:18:18. At noon when the nine competitors in the 6 Hour event lined up at the starting line hats and sunscreen were a must. The sun was in full glory and had blessed us with the brightest day but many of the 12 and 24 Hour runners were really feeling the heat. The start of the 6 Hour meant all the runners were now on the track together and it truly was a magnificent sight.
First to capture the 100km milestone was again race leader Mick Francis (9:29:20), behind him in a time of 11:00:51 was his training buddy Barry Miller who was performing extremely well for his first 24 Hour. John Reidy was just behind him in 11:07:55. Felicity Joyce who looked so comfortable on the track went through 100km in fourth place overall in 11:54:28. Leading the 12 Hour runners Peter Lahiff crossed the 100km mark to create a new Australian men's track record (65-69 years category) in a time of 11:45:40! Almost fifteen minutes later at the close of the 12 Hour event he broke the 12 Hour record covering a 102.433kms to win the event! Two Australian records in his first track race! Finishing in second place was Tony Good (SA) with 97.472kms. Representing the women Sue Bardy (71 years) looking better than ever finished strongly with a solid 73.066km.
Dusk embraced the stadium and for the remaining 24 Hour hero-warriors this marked a new beginning in their long journeys. Mick Francis who appeared to be doing it easy to most of us was again haunted by the physical problems of last year. Nausea forced him trackside temporarily as he sought assistance from his helper Valerie and the medicos. He was back on the track shortly after but looked somewhat wobbly to say the least. The night was as beautiful as the day but perhaps more perfect for the ultra runner as there was no blazing sun to contend with. Many of the runners found new life and really picked up. I raced to the opposite side of the track to join members of the Sri Chinmoy Choir. With all our hearts we sang songs Sri Chinmoy has composed about running. The smiles from the runners ignited our enthusiasm so we kept singing and singing. It is through the night I believe the Santos Stadium reveals its true excellence in hosting this event. The lights shone with such energy I often questioned "was it really 1am, was it really 3am?" The air was still and kind and though just two minutes from the city we were surrounded by the Australian bush and scrub that defines the stadium. The runners struggled on, some of course, doing it tougher than others. One fine athlete whose focus remained intense throughout was Geoff Hain from Qld. Geoff had run a magic 100miles before in a 24 hour but now dreamed of becoming a 'Centurion' (walking 100miles in 24 Hours). There were times when he told me his feet hurt so bad, there were times when he didn't think he could keep going another step but he did and so did all the runners all enduring similar experiences. Mick Francis lead the way to an amazing result for this year's National Championship. One hundred miles came for him at 15:43:40. Too far ahead to give hope to his other runner-friends? Nope, not this year. Barry Miller crossed his first ever 100miles at 20:15:20, John Reidy in 20:40:13 and it went on and on... I went upstairs to brush my teeth, passed out on the couch for a few moments and returned with two more through the magic mark... Finally at 23:30:38 Geoff Hain became the tenth competitor to cross the 100miles and therefore find himself blasting into Centurion records. I raced over to the 100mile marker where Geoff was joined with wife Annie. The emotion was so intense that even writing about it now tears swell my eyes. Ten through the 100mile mark. TweIve years I have been involved in this race and I couldn't remember a year like it.
Ahh.... what an experience! What a joy to recall it all again. To each and every entrant in this year's Festival we of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team applaud you. Our heart's were one with yours every step of the way. When you smiled we smiled, when you tried to smile but just couldn't we felt helpless and wanted to help more. Through your self-transcending efforts you have all emerged as champions-supreme and we have all grown the better for it. Congratulations, thank you and train hard because we're already counting down the days until we see you again next year. "What gives life its value if not its constant
cry for self-transcendence?" . Anubha Baird - Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team |
By
the seventh hour however many of the runners were presented with
a number of physical challenges. Cramps and blisters the most common
issues. Over the next couple of hours the medical tent was well
serviced. The podiatrists, massage therapists and homeopaths all
rose to the occasion and did a remarkable job and I've no doubt
their invaluable assistance changed the fate for many of the runners.
Finally
this year's race drew to a close but not without plenty of last
minute excitement. Mick Francis,(right) a true champion, finished
10kms ahead of his 2003 winning distance with 221.323km. His best
performance, I believe, in Australia in the 24 Hour event. John
Reidy, now in second place had to work hard, really hard to keep
Tony Collins at bay. Finally John finished in second place with
184kms. Tony finished 3rd with 181.472km. Fifth and sixth places
were humorously contested by David Billett (left) and David Jones.
Only two hundred meters separated them in the final stages of the
race with the lead changing many times. Those trackside went into
a cheering frenzy, yelling the safe bet: "GO DAVID". Finally
David Billett finished just 88 metres ahead of his friend David
Jones. Felicity Joyce shone throughout the entire race as a superstar.
A superstar ultra runner and a superstar human being. She went onto
to become the new National Women's 24 Hour Champion with a pb of
171.543km finishing in fifth place overall.