BANANACOAST ULTRAMARATHON (83 KMS & 58 KMS) 2005.

Geoff Hain proved that persistence pays as he completed his twelfth finish in this year’s Bananacoast Ultramarathon from Coffs Harbour to Grafton on Sunday. Hainst from the Gold Coast entered this year after taking a break from running during which he twice achieved Centurion status as a Race Walker completing 100 miles in 24 hours on the track. The lure to get both feet off the ground again on what was very familiar territory for him was the fact that only Bananacoast race director, Steel Beveridge, had more finishes in that event. By simply completing the distance Hain would equal that feat. However he trumped that achievement by being the first to finish at Grafton.

Although far from his best time his 10.08.13 was sufficient to hold off his only challenger for the full 83 kms event, Lindsay Phillips. Phillips experienced highs and lows during his 10.31.31 on the back road between Coffs and Grafton but was able to finish with a spring in his step to round out the smallest finishing field in the race’s 23 year history.
However four other runners had set out from Coffs Harbour with at least two having the sole aim of reaching the 58 kms mark at Lanitza, an ultra in its own right. The other two may have harboured grander designs but these came unravelled along the way. John Rose was the first to call a halt at Lanitza, completing his race in 6.42.30. He was coming off a long break in training following a successful debut at the Forster Ironman. Ross Donald at 67 was the oldest entrant and with a 6.57.30 he was well pleased with his morning’s outing. Jenni Williams like Donald had the goal of Lanitza which she achieved in her usual indomitable fashion in 7.52.54, a time which would have allowed her to continue had that been the plan. The cut-off at that point is 2.00p.m. as anyone not reaching there by then would be overtaken by the night before reaching Grafton. Steel Beveridge missed the cut-off by 12 minutes pulling up at 8.12.04 thus leaving the way clear for Hain to equal his finishes’ record for the full distance.
Next year the race will go from Grafton to Coffs Harbour and the battle for a thirteenth finish may be on the cards.
FULL RESULTS (83 kms) Geoff Hain 10.08.13, 1; Lindsay Phillips 10.31.31, 2. (58kms) John Rose 6.42.30, 1; Ross Donald 6.57.30, 2; Jenni Williams 7.52.54, 3; Steel Beveridge 8.12.04.