Friday, April 08, 2005

Next two weeks

I will be away from my computer for the next two weeks. This web site hasn't fallen over. It will be back with fresh Ultra info on my return after the 23rd April. If you have any ultra news or results, please send to pessam AT bigpond.net.au whilst Im away.

Phil

Thursday, April 07, 2005

New 100 mile race for NSW

Terrigal Trotters on the NSW Central Coast is planning to organize a
100 mile (mostly) trail race along the course of the Great North
Walk between Patonga on Broken Bay in the south and Teralba on Lake
Macquarie in the north. The prospective date of the race is 19/20
November 2005, with a 5am start on the Saturday and a 30 hour time
limit. There should be a near-full moon and mild temperatures.

Although there will be manned feeding stations and checkpoints
(approx every 20km) runners will be required to have their own
support crew with a vehicle. There will also be some required
equipment, e.g., maps, reflective vest (at night), etc. Although
never that far from civilization, the course takes in some very
rugged and spectacular country and will be TOUGH. Much
planning/validating remains to be done, and the relevant official
sanctions are yet to be obtained, so this is still just a plan.

More details will follow, but mark the date if you have an interest.

Regards,

Dave Byrnes.

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

World Harmony Run

http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/

If it inspires two persons in two differrent countries or religions to see thigns or life differrently its done it's job.

I hope to take part in Australia

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Preview of upcoming Australian Centurions Race

By Fred Brooks

Jill Green already an Australian Centurion who hails from the United Kingdom will again try the Coburg 24 Hour race to be held on the week-end of the 16th.and 17th of April 2005,Jill will be trying not only to set a new Australian All-Comers record in the 60 to 64 age group but also will be out to beat Dutchwomans Anna Mansvelds time of 22 Hrs,41 minutes and 07 sec.World record that was set in the English Centurions race in 1987 at the age of 61 years.

Jill will be 63 at the time of the race and if she does record 100 Miles within the 24 Hour Limit not only will she become the oldest female to record this feat but she will set a newWorld record for 100 miles on the track as Anna Mansveld did her 100 miles on the road.

Also in the field will be Fred Brooks who holds the record for being Australias oldest Centurion walker on debut,Brooks walked 100 miles in 22 Hours,31Minues and 15 seconds at the age of 67,he could be the oldest man to record this feat on debut as the other claimant Len Mathews of the U.K. is listed in the English Centurion Handbook as being 66 when he became the U.Ks oldest Centurion on debut,but in a press release for the English Centurion race this year he is recorded as being 67,ironically Len Mathews was one of the four founders of the Australian Centurion Walkers club along with fellow Englishman Fred Redman who was also an English Centurion,Tom Daintry and Brian Parkinson both Australians.

Fred Brooks at 71 will try to set a World walking record for 24 Hours on the track,if he completes the 100 miles he will also break the legendary Cliff Youngs 24 hour Australian running record in the 70 to 74 age group,Stan Miskin at 79 will use this walk to gauge his fitness as he turns 80 in July and then he will be all out to break Drew Kettles 200km and 48 World records in that age group,Stans wife will also be taking part she will walk the 6hour section of the race where she has been placed in the last two years.

Geoff Hain Australias newest Centurion,he walked 100 miles at the Adelaide 24 hour in October 2004 will again try to reach the magical milestone,he has had a good lead up walking 90 km. in a race at Gosford in January this year,Geoff should also stand a good chance of winning the inaugural Australian 100km.Walking Championship held in con-junction with the 24 Hour event.

Fred Baker who lives in Australia 6 months of the year and the other 6 months in the U.K. will try again to become an Australian Centurion his pedigree is impeccable for he has walked the 100 miles in the U.K. on no less than 20 occassions if the weather remains cool he has a very good chance of succeeding.

The three remaining male members in the race are Ron McGregor who last year at his first attempt walked 134km.a very good effort,should do better this year,Don Mackechnie who will be attempting his first ultra at 71 years of age and lastly but not least David Billet who at 34 years of age and has already run the 100 miles on at least two occasions will be trying to get into the exclusive club of people who have run and walked 100 miles.

The other two females apart from Jill Green will be Deborah DeWilliams who last year
Completed an epic walk around Australia and also completed over 448km at the Colac
6 day race last November will try to add a Centurion badge to her already well deserved honours.Sandra Howarth already a seasoned ultra performer makes up the field.

To sum up this the race should have plenty of drama and with 24 hour walking now having all records and performances recognised more and more ultra runners are looking at having a go at this exacting sport especially with them becoming a member of that exclusive 100 mile walking and running club.

Venue - Coburg Harriers Track
Date - 16-17th April 05

Monday, April 04, 2005

Frankston to Portsea - Provisional Results

Final Results.......report to follow in a day or two

1. Mike Wheatley 3:57:27
2. Mary Morgan [F] 4:32:25
3. Max Gibbs 4:39:22
4. Peter Bignell 4:56:06
5. David Spencer 5:27:44
6. Steve Hyde 5:27:45
7. Julia Thorn [F] 5:29:59
8. Don Carlson 5:44:36
9. Mick Worthington 6:02:44
10. Ben Cotter 6:05:44
11. Garry Wise 6:07:27
12. Jane Sturzaker [F] 6:09:44
13. James Grant 6:16:55
14. Andrew Herman 6:39:01
15. George Thomas 6:43:20
16. David Jones 6:58:33
17. Paul Spencer 7:04:55
18. Greg Wishart 9:05:25

30km Sandra Howorth 4:11:36
[Moats Corner to Portsea]

DNF [28km] Warren Holst
DNF [26km] Sani Badic

Another Trans Aust runner

Run for Life ’05 - epic world record attempt to start in Fremantle
31 Mar 2005

CHAMPION marathon runner Achim Heukemes is to kick off a world record attempt in the City of Fremantle, Western Australia, on Saturday, April 2, as he sets off on an epic 44-day journey across Australia.

A sanctioned fundraiser for Oxfam, Mr Heukmes aims to run 4560km, averaging 105km a day, taking in Adelaide and Melbourne before finishing his journey at the Sydney Opera House.

And to help him get his journey under way, Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri will run the first 500m with Mr Heukmes, as he heads out of the port city on the fastest and longest-ever extreme run across Australia.

Mr Heukemes, 53, has many credits to his name with the most recent in 2004 - he ran 822km in a six-day European extreme race, maintaining a minimum of 100km a day against competitors 10 to 15 years his junior.

Other credits include:
* 2002: Second fastest 1000 mile (1600km) runner in the world. On the road for 11 days, 18 hours, 30 minutes. DUV honorary award (DUV = Deutsche Ultramarathon-Vereinigung, meaning German Ultramarathon Union).
* 2001: German champion on a 24-hour run, crossing Germany from its lowest to highest point. 1154 km in six days, 21 hours, 15 minutes. DUV Sportsman of the Year.
* 2000: German champion on a 24-hour run, crossing Europe from the Northern Cape to Sicily. 5735 km in 55 days, six hours, 45 minutes. DUV Sportsman of the Year.
Mayor Tagliaferri said it was wonderful to see a committed individual helping the community by volunteering his time to raise money for those in need.

“The fact he is quite prepared to stretch his endurance to the limit shows the strength of his spirit and dedication,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to show their support for Mr Heukmes by purchasing a Run for Life recognition and reward wristband, as part proceeds will go to Oxfam.

“I have no doubt he will achieve his goal and accomplish a world record, matching it with the equally important goal of raising money for charity.”

Mr Heukmes sums up the task ahead of him, simply by saying: “Never give up and push the limit, be first.”

He is an avid supporter of children in need and, as consul for the German Fanconi charity, he has previously supported children with a rare bone marrow disease by donating proceeds from his first book, Born to Run, to the charity.

* For more information, call Dan Avila on 0419 938 978 or go to the website www.runforlife05.com

Sunday, April 03, 2005

Coburg 24hr Carnival

Coburg 24 Hour Carnival

With less than a fortnight to go, only eight spots remain in this year's Coburg 24 Hour Carnival to be held on 16 & 17 April 2005 at the Harold Stevens Athletics Track in Coburg, Victoria.

Ultra enthusiasts can choose from the 24 Hour Run or Walk, the 12 Hour Run or Walk or 6 Hour Run or Walk. There is even a 12 Hour Relay Event where teams of eight each complete three half hour legs.

The event doubles as the Victorian 24 Hour Track Championship and Australian Centurions 24 Hour Walk.

Entrants in this year's event come from far and wide with world renowned walker Jill Green of the United Kingdom hoping to double up her walk success in this race from 1999.

Local hopes will be pinned on 75 year old Shirley Young from Victoria, last year's winner Carol Baird of the ACT, one of the all time great walkers in 71 year old Fred Baker of Queensland, current national 48 hour champion Tony Collins of New South Wales and Rudolf Kinsofer from South Australia.

To enter simply visit www.coburgharriers.org.au/html/24hour.htm to download an entry form or contact Tim Erickson via terick@melbpc.org.au or ring 03 9012 5431.

1000 mile Expedition in 2006

http://www.justsusanoriginals.com/walking_events.htm

Melbourne Trailwalker results

http://www.taylormade.com.au/TrailWalker/Melbourne2005/teamSummary.asp