Saturday, October 15, 2005
George Audley to carry torch in Queen's Baton Relay
On behalf of the Australian Ultramarathon Community, please may I publicly congratulate George Audley (Flying Fossil) who has been accepted to carry the Commonwealth Games torch as it makes it's way to Melbourne. George will be carrying the torch on the 9th of February at Prevelly in West Australia.
Thanks George. You deserve it.
Phil
Thanks George. You deserve it.
Phil
Jesper in Ireland - Day 4
Hey all,
Jesper is on his way - completed about 35 km so far and is aiming for 50 km (finish near Naas) to have an easy day tomorrow. His companions are - beside Tony - Mel (their host tonight from Tony's running club) as well as three runners from Sri Chiminoy marathon club.
I write to you just now as I'm heading off for Newbridge to join and support Jesper during his last leg in Ireland - tomorrow.
Best regards
Monika
Jesper is on his way - completed about 35 km so far and is aiming for 50 km (finish near Naas) to have an easy day tomorrow. His companions are - beside Tony - Mel (their host tonight from Tony's running club) as well as three runners from Sri Chiminoy marathon club.
I write to you just now as I'm heading off for Newbridge to join and support Jesper during his last leg in Ireland - tomorrow.
Best regards
Monika
Friday, October 14, 2005
Jesper in Ireland - Day 3
Hey all,
Jesper ran today's distance of 59 km in 5 h 30 m under lovely blue skies. For about 10 km he was accompanied by north Laoise athletic club and he felt strong. Tonight Jesper and Tony are staying at a farm to probably experience milking cows and the rest of farm life ;-)
Tomorrow some more runners will join them and continue the run.
Best regards
Monika
Jesper ran today's distance of 59 km in 5 h 30 m under lovely blue skies. For about 10 km he was accompanied by north Laoise athletic club and he felt strong. Tonight Jesper and Tony are staying at a farm to probably experience milking cows and the rest of farm life ;-)
Tomorrow some more runners will join them and continue the run.
Best regards
Monika
Intro to the Northern Hemisphere correspondent
It's a pleasure to be so kindly asked by Mr. Phil Essam, ultra historian, ultra runner in his own right, and race director and commentator of the Cliff Young Australian 6-Day Race ("Colac") to contribute to the World Ultra News section of his Ultra Blog as the Northern Hemisphere correspondent.
My name is Constance Karras and I live in Cedar Lake, Indiana in the USA. I am an ultra novitiate trying to learn the ropes of this very demanding sport and enjoying every moment of it. I had the great pleasure of crewing Mr. Jesper Olsen through portions of his U.S. leg and am now overjoyed to see him well on his way to completing his World Run and setting a Guinness Book of World Record as the first person to run the circumference of the Earth's land masses! Bravo Jesper!
I will do my best to post ultra news from the Northern Hemisphere for all to enjoy.
Please feel free to contribute to Mr. Essam stories of ultra interest you wish to have posted.
May your Strides be many and your Falls be few,
Connie
My name is Constance Karras and I live in Cedar Lake, Indiana in the USA. I am an ultra novitiate trying to learn the ropes of this very demanding sport and enjoying every moment of it. I had the great pleasure of crewing Mr. Jesper Olsen through portions of his U.S. leg and am now overjoyed to see him well on his way to completing his World Run and setting a Guinness Book of World Record as the first person to run the circumference of the Earth's land masses! Bravo Jesper!
I will do my best to post ultra news from the Northern Hemisphere for all to enjoy.
Please feel free to contribute to Mr. Essam stories of ultra interest you wish to have posted.
May your Strides be many and your Falls be few,
Connie
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Jesper in Ireland - Day 2
Hey all,
Jesper ran a marathon today. Tony parked his car about 5 km ahead, ran back to run the last 2 km with Jesper to the car. Jesper is strong and holding back a lot. For the next few days they are staying in a B&B 7 km west of Roscrea in a village called Dunkerrin, where the are now watching the match Ireland : Switzerland. "The great Dane won't take a drink till finish line!" wrote Tony.
Best regards
Monika
Jesper ran a marathon today. Tony parked his car about 5 km ahead, ran back to run the last 2 km with Jesper to the car. Jesper is strong and holding back a lot. For the next few days they are staying in a B&B 7 km west of Roscrea in a village called Dunkerrin, where the are now watching the match Ireland : Switzerland. "The great Dane won't take a drink till finish line!" wrote Tony.
Best regards
Monika
2006 Sri Chinmoy Ultra Triathlon
Canberra Sri Chinmoy 3-Day Ultra-Triathlon
3-5 February 2006
15 km swim/400 km cycle/100 km run
Back by popular demand!
I will post more details when they become available
3-5 February 2006
15 km swim/400 km cycle/100 km run
Back by popular demand!
I will post more details when they become available
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Heartland 100 results
Heartland 100 results
Here are the results from the Heartland Spirit of the Prairie Race 100 mile
this past weekend.
Results can also be found on the KUS web page at http://www.ultrarunners.info
Here are the results from the Heartland Spirit of the Prairie Race 100 mile
this past weekend.
Results can also be found on the KUS web page at http://www.ultrarunners.info
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Jesper in New York
Jesper Olsen World run update by Jurgen Ankenbrand
October 6th, 2005
After leaving Paris on October 6th for NY, I contacted Jesper Olsen on the eve of my arrival in NY, to find out he also arrived in Manhattan on the same day. We arranged to meet the next morning where two local New York runners from Queens, a lady runner now living in Pennsylvania, who had crewed Jesper earlier on his trip and my self accompanied Jesper on his very last leg in the US.
The temperatures was in the seventies but the humidity was in the nineties as we met near the South Ferry in the lower part of Manhattan. Thed sky looked gloomy but we hoped that any rain would wait unbtiol we were done running and the weather goods obliged. Which we alAl appreciated. A camera man from the Guiness Book people with an offdice in NY was also on hand, although I am not sure who arranged this pleasant surprise.
Imagine five runners, including myself carrying my full-size Canon camera with me and the film guy running along the East side of Manhattan, presenting, even for New York, an unusual site.
As I knew the route to the UN building the other runners had to content with my “somewhat” slower tempo to lead the way.
One of the Queens runners carried a torch and on several occasions when the entire team stopped a few people stopped and asked questions giving me time to keep running or fast walking to get ahead. One time as they stopped I kept walking to stay ahead and when I made it almost to the UN building I waited almost 20 minutes for the others. As it turned out, they had stopped for a short snack of French fries and a drink for Jesper.
Winding our way through Manhattan and eventually up 1st Avenue we arrived at the UN (United Nations) building where there are always throngs of visitors. A Chinese man stopped to talk to Jesper and as it turned out, he had done some mayor biking through Asia and was duly impressed with Jesper’s accomplishment to date.
A few ceremonial pictures were taken and eventually the NY running-film crew whisked Jesper away to his hotel on Lexington Avenue. Sonia (sorry if I got the name incorrect) came along for the ride and eventually walked across town via Central Park to the upper Westside where she stayed at a friend’s apartment and I with my daughter who has been living in Manhattan since last year.
Jesper and I were to meet at his hotel the next day to talk about the time when I left him in California. Unfortunately rain was forecast for several days and by the time I had walked to Jesper’s hotel I was soaked. As a repeat visitor to Manhattan I should have know better than to leave home without an umbrella. As Jesper and I talked he told me that I have the distinction of being the only runner to have accompanied him on his very first and last day of his trek across the US, something I am very proud of indeed.
Later that afternoon Jesper and I met with his main sponsor from Germany, Oliver who will run with Jesper the very last stage into Greenwich Village in London where the around the world run will officially end in about three weeks. To this end, Oliver and Jesper ran in and around Central Park for an hour in the rain, while I was having a cup of coffee, trying to get dry while awaiting their return. Oliver, head of a large global company has a NY office and taken up residency right in Manhattan. It’s here that we met his wife, who cooked dinner for all of us while Jesper told us varies stories from his fast store of experiences along his round the world run.
Those who ever had the pleasure of meeting Jesper I am sure, will agree that he is an excellent runner and great person and it’s difficult not to be taken by his likeable and easy-going personality.
While I am trying to piece together an article of Jesper’s epic achievement (or at least after his anticipated arrival in London later in October) Jesper will be working on a potential book while he will try to ease back into a more mundane life in Denmark, which I am sure won’t be easy.
What do you do after you run around the world for almost two years? How will it affect Jesper is impossible to foresee, but it’s impossible not to leave a deep impression on his personality. After all, he will be the very first, and perhaps last runner, to have actually run around the world. This is such a mayor accomplishment, few can even begin to imagine what it took to complete. I guess we all will have to wait for his eventual book to appear, which will be written in a way also none-runners can identify with and perhaps get a small idea of what it takes to be successful at such an adventure.
In the meantime, adventures live on in the minds of thousands would be adventurers, most will keep dreaming, few will actually live their dreams, only a few special guys like Jesper.
Jurgen Ankenbrand, aka Ultra Kraut
October 6th, 2005
After leaving Paris on October 6th for NY, I contacted Jesper Olsen on the eve of my arrival in NY, to find out he also arrived in Manhattan on the same day. We arranged to meet the next morning where two local New York runners from Queens, a lady runner now living in Pennsylvania, who had crewed Jesper earlier on his trip and my self accompanied Jesper on his very last leg in the US.
The temperatures was in the seventies but the humidity was in the nineties as we met near the South Ferry in the lower part of Manhattan. Thed sky looked gloomy but we hoped that any rain would wait unbtiol we were done running and the weather goods obliged. Which we alAl appreciated. A camera man from the Guiness Book people with an offdice in NY was also on hand, although I am not sure who arranged this pleasant surprise.
Imagine five runners, including myself carrying my full-size Canon camera with me and the film guy running along the East side of Manhattan, presenting, even for New York, an unusual site.
As I knew the route to the UN building the other runners had to content with my “somewhat” slower tempo to lead the way.
One of the Queens runners carried a torch and on several occasions when the entire team stopped a few people stopped and asked questions giving me time to keep running or fast walking to get ahead. One time as they stopped I kept walking to stay ahead and when I made it almost to the UN building I waited almost 20 minutes for the others. As it turned out, they had stopped for a short snack of French fries and a drink for Jesper.
Winding our way through Manhattan and eventually up 1st Avenue we arrived at the UN (United Nations) building where there are always throngs of visitors. A Chinese man stopped to talk to Jesper and as it turned out, he had done some mayor biking through Asia and was duly impressed with Jesper’s accomplishment to date.
A few ceremonial pictures were taken and eventually the NY running-film crew whisked Jesper away to his hotel on Lexington Avenue. Sonia (sorry if I got the name incorrect) came along for the ride and eventually walked across town via Central Park to the upper Westside where she stayed at a friend’s apartment and I with my daughter who has been living in Manhattan since last year.
Jesper and I were to meet at his hotel the next day to talk about the time when I left him in California. Unfortunately rain was forecast for several days and by the time I had walked to Jesper’s hotel I was soaked. As a repeat visitor to Manhattan I should have know better than to leave home without an umbrella. As Jesper and I talked he told me that I have the distinction of being the only runner to have accompanied him on his very first and last day of his trek across the US, something I am very proud of indeed.
Later that afternoon Jesper and I met with his main sponsor from Germany, Oliver who will run with Jesper the very last stage into Greenwich Village in London where the around the world run will officially end in about three weeks. To this end, Oliver and Jesper ran in and around Central Park for an hour in the rain, while I was having a cup of coffee, trying to get dry while awaiting their return. Oliver, head of a large global company has a NY office and taken up residency right in Manhattan. It’s here that we met his wife, who cooked dinner for all of us while Jesper told us varies stories from his fast store of experiences along his round the world run.
Those who ever had the pleasure of meeting Jesper I am sure, will agree that he is an excellent runner and great person and it’s difficult not to be taken by his likeable and easy-going personality.
While I am trying to piece together an article of Jesper’s epic achievement (or at least after his anticipated arrival in London later in October) Jesper will be working on a potential book while he will try to ease back into a more mundane life in Denmark, which I am sure won’t be easy.
What do you do after you run around the world for almost two years? How will it affect Jesper is impossible to foresee, but it’s impossible not to leave a deep impression on his personality. After all, he will be the very first, and perhaps last runner, to have actually run around the world. This is such a mayor accomplishment, few can even begin to imagine what it took to complete. I guess we all will have to wait for his eventual book to appear, which will be written in a way also none-runners can identify with and perhaps get a small idea of what it takes to be successful at such an adventure.
In the meantime, adventures live on in the minds of thousands would be adventurers, most will keep dreaming, few will actually live their dreams, only a few special guys like Jesper.
Jurgen Ankenbrand, aka Ultra Kraut
The 2005 Deutschland Lauf DL-2005
What is this event about? It was the brainchild of race director Ingo Schulze
who had run this event solo several years ago on his own and directed it once
in 1998. Where did it take place? The idea was to across Germany at it's longest distance from the northern most point at Kap Arkona on the island of Ruegen to the Southern most point in the small Baden Wuertemberg town of Loerrach, near the Swiss border. The route would cross seven German states and go mostly through small towns and villages avoiding the heavier traffic areas as much as possible. Once the route was set a department of traffic for the entire country had to approve all routing,
possibly making small changes due to changed traffic conditions such as
road closures or constructions. The entire route was to be about 1,200 km or
roughly 750 or so miles. Once this was done Ingo would drive the entire
distance by car speaking into his tape recorder, noting distances and reference
points for the later to be developed daily routing schedules.
Who has the time, energy and patience to organize such an event?
Ingo Schulze has successfully organized other long-distance running events,
notably the 2003 Trans Europe Foot Race from Lisbon to Moscow, a distance of
5,100 kilometers over 64 days. The Spree Lauf is another event he has hosted
several times, a seven day run through Northern Germany, which is very popular.
In addition Ingo is an accomplished ultra runner in his own rights and
understands runners needs.
Why have such an extreme run?
Currently the Trans Goal run in France is the only longer multi-day running
event in Europe and Ingo wanted to offer one in his home country of Germany
and revived the DL across Germany run for 2005 after hosting it once in 1998.
The initial limit of planed participants of 50 was quickly reached and more
and more applications rolled in so that the eventual starting roster had 68
starters from nine countries including two runners from Colorado, USA, namely
Peter Bakwin and Stephanie Ehret, both accomplished ultra runners in their
own rights.
Why would any one want to run 1,200 kilometers in 17 days?
This is the 64-million dollar question, which is always asked by "regular"
people who have a difficult time understanding that any one can do it, let
alone would want to do it.
The simple answer in a nutshell is this:
It's there and some runners think they can do it. It's the ultimate
challenge for an ultra runner (an ultra run is any distance longer than the
"normal" marathon distance of 42 kilometers or 26.2 miles. This may not sound too
logical but this is the answer in a nutshell.
Ever wondered how the marathon became to be 26.2 miles, a rather odd number?
At one time it used to be an even 25 miles, run in England. The event ended
short of the Queen's residence and she could not see the finish. She asked
that the distance be changed so the finish was where she could observe the
event from her balcony and here we have 26.2 miles ever since. When you are the
Queen, almost anything is possible.
Organization:Needless to say, to get seventy runners, about 15 to 20 volunteers at any
given time and a column of around ten vehicles all the way across Germany, a
1,200-kilometer distance, is no small feat and requires very detailed planning.
It took well over one year of preparation including driving the entire distance by car. Having a full time job at Mercedes Benz meant that Ingo spent much of his
vacation and free time working on this project.
Logistical considerations:
1. Sponsors for financial support:
The entry fee of Euro 60 per day per runner does not cover all expenses and
without some financial and other support such an event could not take place
1. Route to prepare daily schedule:
Once the route had been established and permits from the proper authorities
were secured Ingo drove the distance and set the daily route schedule.
2. Support vehicles to carry crews and supplies to the aid stations:
Volunteers had to bring to the aid stations and the baggage had to be
brought to the new quarters every day requiring a large van.
3. Volunteers, since no running event can take place without them:
As all runners should know, no running event can take place without
volunteers.
4.Those are the selfless soles that offer freely of their time, standing often
hours at aid stations waiting for runners to have food and beverages served to them.
5.The average daily stage was about 60 kilometers and often the time between the
1st and last runners coming through an aid station could be as long as four hours,
a long wait indeed. Especially in inclement weather.
6. Route marker to plaster 1,000s of bright orange stickers with large
black arrows on sign posts or whatever surface they would stick to, so runners and
drivers would know where to go. Could stickers not be used, white chalk marks and
arrows did the job and once in the dark up the Feld Berg, hot-pink spray paint did
the job guiding the runners until daylight.
7. Food buyers to purchase daily supplies for meals and aid stations.
Not always an easy task supplying between five to eight aid stations and
food for breakfast and dinner a few times. Generally no special food order
requests were taken, with almost 100 people, a virtual impossibility.
8. Daily quarters in gyms, our quarters for each night.
On a scouting trip, Ingo tried to secure sport halls along the way and get
commitments ahead of time, for us to stay whenever possible.
9. Traffic permits in highly bureaucratic Germany entail a very lengthy
process taking several month at best. Then the fine-tuning of the route can take
place.
10. Runners entry fee, the financial basis to support the event.
Rarely does an entry fee cover expenses, especially by such a large and
longer event. Hence sponsors are a necessary part of the financial picture.
11. Policies, rules and regulations, without them chaos would ensue.
These are by no means all considerations but the mayor points to give the
reader an idea of the complexity to organize such a multi-day event across an
entire country.
12. Group dynamics:
Having close to 100 people at the beginning at close quarters in sometimes
very crowded conditions isn't easy and can create frictions due to
personalities. Fortunately this happened very little and the entire team worked as a
unit and few incidents happened.
13. Food, always a very important part of any athlete, was very important
here. Several evening meals were taken in restaurants and several were cater
ed.
Breakfast was usually served and eaten in the hall were we slept.
14. Quarters were exclusively in gyms.
Sleeping on a wooden floor with your inflatable mat is something you have to
get used to, but it's not bad especially when very tired.
15. Weather can either make or break an event.
To say we were fortunate is understatement. Out of 17 days we had one full
days of rain, one very windy day, a couple of partly cloudy days and the rest
were sunny. This made the entire event so much easier as moral was high and
all looks better with sunshine.
Trans Europe Foot Race comparison:
Those six runners who also ran the Trans Europe event, naturally made some
comparisons. Four of these six finished and also were under the top-ten place
finishers. One thing is for sure, all were glad the DL-2005 run was only 17
days long. Some of the runners had little or no multi-day running experience
but did surprisingly well.
Final analysis:
The event was very well organized and all seemed to run pretty smooth, at
least viewed from the participant's vantage point. The DL-2005 was a
full success and it's already for sure that there will be a 2006 edition,
as there are already several runners signed up for it.
It's impossible to please every one all the time, especially when things get
tight, runners get injured, tired and even may be thinking of quitting.
Based on this I have to say, all went very well and no serious problems
happened.
As the official photographer with the freedom of driving a runner's
car every day, I was in a very enviable position. Several days I either had one
aid station or helped at one. For at least halve the time I was free to follow the
runners from the start, following on their heels as they basically led the
way for me. On a few occasions I was able to time the runner's location with an
incredible sunrise, which made for some great images which must be created
and require planning, enthusiasm and often much waiting and walking. Was it
worth it? Absolutely, check out my many images on the DL-2005 web site
The day I returned to the US, Jesper Olsen the Danish world runner also
arrived in NY finishing his US leg of his world journey. I met him early Thursday
morning together with several other local runners as he ran from the South
Ferry to the UN building, officially ending his US running leg. He mentioned
that I was the very first runner to accompany him on his US journey and now
I also became the very last one to do so, something I am very proud of.
All this gave me certainly something to think about as a matter of
comparison. The runners who just finished a 17-day run across Germany certainly
had displayed much courage and accomplished a great feat. But now seeing Jesper
nearing his ultimate goal of circumventing the world, the Germany run sort of
paled against JesperE28099s effort of running for a year and ten month
consecutive days of an average of between 30 to50 kilometers day in and day out, no
matter what the circumstances.
Any one wanting more info or photos on either event for personal or commercial use can send me an e-mail at (mailto:Ankenbrand@aol.com) ,
Jurgen Ankenbrand, the Ultra Kraut
_www.photographybyjurgen.com_ (http://my%20photo%20website/)
who had run this event solo several years ago on his own and directed it once
in 1998. Where did it take place? The idea was to across Germany at it's longest distance from the northern most point at Kap Arkona on the island of Ruegen to the Southern most point in the small Baden Wuertemberg town of Loerrach, near the Swiss border. The route would cross seven German states and go mostly through small towns and villages avoiding the heavier traffic areas as much as possible. Once the route was set a department of traffic for the entire country had to approve all routing,
possibly making small changes due to changed traffic conditions such as
road closures or constructions. The entire route was to be about 1,200 km or
roughly 750 or so miles. Once this was done Ingo would drive the entire
distance by car speaking into his tape recorder, noting distances and reference
points for the later to be developed daily routing schedules.
Who has the time, energy and patience to organize such an event?
Ingo Schulze has successfully organized other long-distance running events,
notably the 2003 Trans Europe Foot Race from Lisbon to Moscow, a distance of
5,100 kilometers over 64 days. The Spree Lauf is another event he has hosted
several times, a seven day run through Northern Germany, which is very popular.
In addition Ingo is an accomplished ultra runner in his own rights and
understands runners needs.
Why have such an extreme run?
Currently the Trans Goal run in France is the only longer multi-day running
event in Europe and Ingo wanted to offer one in his home country of Germany
and revived the DL across Germany run for 2005 after hosting it once in 1998.
The initial limit of planed participants of 50 was quickly reached and more
and more applications rolled in so that the eventual starting roster had 68
starters from nine countries including two runners from Colorado, USA, namely
Peter Bakwin and Stephanie Ehret, both accomplished ultra runners in their
own rights.
Why would any one want to run 1,200 kilometers in 17 days?
This is the 64-million dollar question, which is always asked by "regular"
people who have a difficult time understanding that any one can do it, let
alone would want to do it.
The simple answer in a nutshell is this:
It's there and some runners think they can do it. It's the ultimate
challenge for an ultra runner (an ultra run is any distance longer than the
"normal" marathon distance of 42 kilometers or 26.2 miles. This may not sound too
logical but this is the answer in a nutshell.
Ever wondered how the marathon became to be 26.2 miles, a rather odd number?
At one time it used to be an even 25 miles, run in England. The event ended
short of the Queen's residence and she could not see the finish. She asked
that the distance be changed so the finish was where she could observe the
event from her balcony and here we have 26.2 miles ever since. When you are the
Queen, almost anything is possible.
Organization:Needless to say, to get seventy runners, about 15 to 20 volunteers at any
given time and a column of around ten vehicles all the way across Germany, a
1,200-kilometer distance, is no small feat and requires very detailed planning.
It took well over one year of preparation including driving the entire distance by car. Having a full time job at Mercedes Benz meant that Ingo spent much of his
vacation and free time working on this project.
Logistical considerations:
1. Sponsors for financial support:
The entry fee of Euro 60 per day per runner does not cover all expenses and
without some financial and other support such an event could not take place
1. Route to prepare daily schedule:
Once the route had been established and permits from the proper authorities
were secured Ingo drove the distance and set the daily route schedule.
2. Support vehicles to carry crews and supplies to the aid stations:
Volunteers had to bring to the aid stations and the baggage had to be
brought to the new quarters every day requiring a large van.
3. Volunteers, since no running event can take place without them:
As all runners should know, no running event can take place without
volunteers.
4.Those are the selfless soles that offer freely of their time, standing often
hours at aid stations waiting for runners to have food and beverages served to them.
5.The average daily stage was about 60 kilometers and often the time between the
1st and last runners coming through an aid station could be as long as four hours,
a long wait indeed. Especially in inclement weather.
6. Route marker to plaster 1,000s of bright orange stickers with large
black arrows on sign posts or whatever surface they would stick to, so runners and
drivers would know where to go. Could stickers not be used, white chalk marks and
arrows did the job and once in the dark up the Feld Berg, hot-pink spray paint did
the job guiding the runners until daylight.
7. Food buyers to purchase daily supplies for meals and aid stations.
Not always an easy task supplying between five to eight aid stations and
food for breakfast and dinner a few times. Generally no special food order
requests were taken, with almost 100 people, a virtual impossibility.
8. Daily quarters in gyms, our quarters for each night.
On a scouting trip, Ingo tried to secure sport halls along the way and get
commitments ahead of time, for us to stay whenever possible.
9. Traffic permits in highly bureaucratic Germany entail a very lengthy
process taking several month at best. Then the fine-tuning of the route can take
place.
10. Runners entry fee, the financial basis to support the event.
Rarely does an entry fee cover expenses, especially by such a large and
longer event. Hence sponsors are a necessary part of the financial picture.
11. Policies, rules and regulations, without them chaos would ensue.
These are by no means all considerations but the mayor points to give the
reader an idea of the complexity to organize such a multi-day event across an
entire country.
12. Group dynamics:
Having close to 100 people at the beginning at close quarters in sometimes
very crowded conditions isn't easy and can create frictions due to
personalities. Fortunately this happened very little and the entire team worked as a
unit and few incidents happened.
13. Food, always a very important part of any athlete, was very important
here. Several evening meals were taken in restaurants and several were cater
ed.
Breakfast was usually served and eaten in the hall were we slept.
14. Quarters were exclusively in gyms.
Sleeping on a wooden floor with your inflatable mat is something you have to
get used to, but it's not bad especially when very tired.
15. Weather can either make or break an event.
To say we were fortunate is understatement. Out of 17 days we had one full
days of rain, one very windy day, a couple of partly cloudy days and the rest
were sunny. This made the entire event so much easier as moral was high and
all looks better with sunshine.
Trans Europe Foot Race comparison:
Those six runners who also ran the Trans Europe event, naturally made some
comparisons. Four of these six finished and also were under the top-ten place
finishers. One thing is for sure, all were glad the DL-2005 run was only 17
days long. Some of the runners had little or no multi-day running experience
but did surprisingly well.
Final analysis:
The event was very well organized and all seemed to run pretty smooth, at
least viewed from the participant's vantage point. The DL-2005 was a
full success and it's already for sure that there will be a 2006 edition,
as there are already several runners signed up for it.
It's impossible to please every one all the time, especially when things get
tight, runners get injured, tired and even may be thinking of quitting.
Based on this I have to say, all went very well and no serious problems
happened.
As the official photographer with the freedom of driving a runner's
car every day, I was in a very enviable position. Several days I either had one
aid station or helped at one. For at least halve the time I was free to follow the
runners from the start, following on their heels as they basically led the
way for me. On a few occasions I was able to time the runner's location with an
incredible sunrise, which made for some great images which must be created
and require planning, enthusiasm and often much waiting and walking. Was it
worth it? Absolutely, check out my many images on the DL-2005 web site
The day I returned to the US, Jesper Olsen the Danish world runner also
arrived in NY finishing his US leg of his world journey. I met him early Thursday
morning together with several other local runners as he ran from the South
Ferry to the UN building, officially ending his US running leg. He mentioned
that I was the very first runner to accompany him on his US journey and now
I also became the very last one to do so, something I am very proud of.
All this gave me certainly something to think about as a matter of
comparison. The runners who just finished a 17-day run across Germany certainly
had displayed much courage and accomplished a great feat. But now seeing Jesper
nearing his ultimate goal of circumventing the world, the Germany run sort of
paled against JesperE28099s effort of running for a year and ten month
consecutive days of an average of between 30 to50 kilometers day in and day out, no
matter what the circumstances.
Any one wanting more info or photos on either event for personal or commercial use can send me an e-mail at (mailto:Ankenbrand@aol.com) ,
Jurgen Ankenbrand, the Ultra Kraut
_www.photographybyjurgen.com_ (http://my%20photo%20website/)
Tanks Alot/Ron Herzog 50k
Granite Falls, Washington
November 12, 2005
Welcome to fall in the great Pacific NW. After some deliberation, it has
been decided that in this 13th year of Tanks Alot/Ron Herzog 50K, we
could not let the memory of Ron Herzog pass nor stop this great
tradition that Chris Ralph has bestowed upon us for many years. In that
respect, we'd like to announce that both races will occur as it has in
the past. Since Chris has been focusing on the Plain 100 and other
ventures, the new Race Directors will consist of Franklin Wood and Roger
Michel . This has been Chris' baby for so long so not much will change
in terms of the course route. The inevitable TANK TRAPS will be there to
greet each and every racer...for some twice.
So welcome to the 13th running of the Tanks Alot/Ron Herzog 50K. We look
forward to seeing some of the staple racers who were there in the
beginning as well as those new to ultrarunning. Please go to
www.mergeo.com/meridian/tanksalot/default.html for race information, an
entry form, course profiles, race stories, etc. Updates will be posted
on the website in RED and email sent ONLY to those who have inquired,
chosen to be updated or are on the Racer List. Nobody likes spam.
If you are not familiar with what Tank Traps are, ask around, read Race
Stories or even better, come experience it firsthand. You'll never see
ultrarunning quite the same afterwards.
Run to compete. Run to push your physical limits. Run to be free. Run
for the scenery. Run for fun. Just run...TANKS ALOT.
November 12, 2005
Welcome to fall in the great Pacific NW. After some deliberation, it has
been decided that in this 13th year of Tanks Alot/Ron Herzog 50K, we
could not let the memory of Ron Herzog pass nor stop this great
tradition that Chris Ralph has bestowed upon us for many years. In that
respect, we'd like to announce that both races will occur as it has in
the past. Since Chris has been focusing on the Plain 100 and other
ventures, the new Race Directors will consist of Franklin Wood and Roger
Michel . This has been Chris' baby for so long so not much will change
in terms of the course route. The inevitable TANK TRAPS will be there to
greet each and every racer...for some twice.
So welcome to the 13th running of the Tanks Alot/Ron Herzog 50K. We look
forward to seeing some of the staple racers who were there in the
beginning as well as those new to ultrarunning. Please go to
www.mergeo.com/meridian/tanksalot/default.html for race information, an
entry form, course profiles, race stories, etc. Updates will be posted
on the website in RED and email sent ONLY to those who have inquired,
chosen to be updated or are on the Racer List. Nobody likes spam.
If you are not familiar with what Tank Traps are, ask around, read Race
Stories or even better, come experience it firsthand. You'll never see
ultrarunning quite the same afterwards.
Run to compete. Run to push your physical limits. Run to be free. Run
for the scenery. Run for fun. Just run...TANKS ALOT.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Australian Ultra events - October 05
Oct 2005
Sat 15 Oct FITZROY FALLS FIRE TRAIL MARATHON (NSW)
42.2km Marathon, 10km run, 5 km run, 5km walk. Event Time: 8am Marathon, 9am other events. Location of race: Fitzroy Falls, Southern Highlands. Now in its 6th year, the Fitzroy Falls Marathon is a run along the fire trails in the beautiful Morton National Park in the Southern Highlands. It is a fund raiser for the bushfire brigades in the Fitzroy Falls area and members of the brigades man the aid stations. In 2004 it was judged the best regional marathon in Australia in a CoolRunning poll. In 2005 we aim to lift the standard with computer generated results being produced progressively as runners finish. We will also increase the number of awards. A feature of the event is the barbecue lunch that is part of the entry fee. contact: Michael Chapman at PO Box 184, Moss Vale NSW 2577. email: michael@bcassociates.com.au. Visit the website for more details.
Sat-Sun 15-16 Oct SELF-TRANSCENDENCE NATIONAL 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS (SA)
Starts 8am at Santos Stadium, Mile End, Adelaide. Events available are: Australian 24 Hours Championship (starts 8am Sat), a 12 hour teams relay (starts 8pm Sat), a 12 hour individual race (starts 8am Sat) and a 6 hour race (starts 12 noon Sat). Entries close 8th October 2004 and no on the day entries. contact: Phone (08) 8272-5081 or Anubha Baird on 0421-591-695 or Sri Chinmoy Centre, 1st Floor, 131 Carrington St, Adelaide, SA 5. Visit the website for more details. Click here for an entryform.
Sat-Sun 15-16 Oct TRAILBLAZER CHALLENGE (SA)
Teams of 2 or 4 for the 25km and 50km events. Teams of 4 for the 100km event (It makes safety sense). The 25km event is wheelchair accessible. Be Inspired. Be Challenged. Be a Trailblazer. Presented by Recreation SA and Adelaide Rotary in partnership with Operation Flinders and Regency TAFE. Starts 8am at Pinky Flat, Memorial Drive, Adelaide. contact: William Ventura by phone (08) 8232-6477 or 73 Wakefield St, Adelaide SA 5000. email: recevent@tpg.com.au. Visit the website for more details.
Sun 23 Oct BRINDABELLA CLASSIC AND BULLS HEAD CHALLENGE (ACT)
Brindabella Classic (55.5km) starts and finishes at Cotter Reserve, 20mins outside Canberra. Bulls Head Challenge (27.7km) starts near Bulls Head and finishes at Cotter Reserve. contact: Mick Corlis. email: mountainrunning@coolrunning.com.au. Visit the website for more details. Click here for an entryform.
Sat 15 Oct FITZROY FALLS FIRE TRAIL MARATHON (NSW)
42.2km Marathon, 10km run, 5 km run, 5km walk. Event Time: 8am Marathon, 9am other events. Location of race: Fitzroy Falls, Southern Highlands. Now in its 6th year, the Fitzroy Falls Marathon is a run along the fire trails in the beautiful Morton National Park in the Southern Highlands. It is a fund raiser for the bushfire brigades in the Fitzroy Falls area and members of the brigades man the aid stations. In 2004 it was judged the best regional marathon in Australia in a CoolRunning poll. In 2005 we aim to lift the standard with computer generated results being produced progressively as runners finish. We will also increase the number of awards. A feature of the event is the barbecue lunch that is part of the entry fee. contact: Michael Chapman at PO Box 184, Moss Vale NSW 2577. email: michael@bcassociates.com.au. Visit the website for more details.
Sat-Sun 15-16 Oct SELF-TRANSCENDENCE NATIONAL 24 HOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS (SA)
Starts 8am at Santos Stadium, Mile End, Adelaide. Events available are: Australian 24 Hours Championship (starts 8am Sat), a 12 hour teams relay (starts 8pm Sat), a 12 hour individual race (starts 8am Sat) and a 6 hour race (starts 12 noon Sat). Entries close 8th October 2004 and no on the day entries. contact: Phone (08) 8272-5081 or Anubha Baird on 0421-591-695 or Sri Chinmoy Centre, 1st Floor, 131 Carrington St, Adelaide, SA 5. Visit the website for more details. Click here for an entryform.
Sat-Sun 15-16 Oct TRAILBLAZER CHALLENGE (SA)
Teams of 2 or 4 for the 25km and 50km events. Teams of 4 for the 100km event (It makes safety sense). The 25km event is wheelchair accessible. Be Inspired. Be Challenged. Be a Trailblazer. Presented by Recreation SA and Adelaide Rotary in partnership with Operation Flinders and Regency TAFE. Starts 8am at Pinky Flat, Memorial Drive, Adelaide. contact: William Ventura by phone (08) 8232-6477 or 73 Wakefield St, Adelaide SA 5000. email: recevent@tpg.com.au. Visit the website for more details.
Sun 23 Oct BRINDABELLA CLASSIC AND BULLS HEAD CHALLENGE (ACT)
Brindabella Classic (55.5km) starts and finishes at Cotter Reserve, 20mins outside Canberra. Bulls Head Challenge (27.7km) starts near Bulls Head and finishes at Cotter Reserve. contact: Mick Corlis. email: mountainrunning@coolrunning.com.au. Visit the website for more details. Click here for an entryform.
Fitzroy Falls run attracts some serious talent
Monday, 10 October 2005
In each of the last five years the Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon has been held, there has been at least one very serious, very talented runner.
For example, last year the star was Graeme "Mountain Man" Kerruish, who with 301 marathons to his credit, holds the Australian all-time record - 14 ahead of his nearest rival.
This year's marathon will be no exception with Bob Fickel having registered to run.
Fickel has run 158 marathons, the third most in Asutralia and needs only four more to move into second spot.
This year he has run quite a few, including his 21st Canberra Marathon and his first London Marathon.
He has too many accolades to list, but they include many ultra marathons, including the awesome Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run.
As well as the Fitzroy Falls marathon on Saturday October 15, there will be three other cross country events - a 10 kilometre run and a five kilometre run, as well as a five kilometre walk.
The Fire Trail runs are held on Saturday October 15 in the scenic Morton National Park, and start from Twin Falls Bush Cottages which back right onto the trails. Signs on the Nowra Road direct entrants to the race start and there is ample off street parking for runners and spectators.
In each of the last five years the Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon has been held, there has been at least one very serious, very talented runner.
For example, last year the star was Graeme "Mountain Man" Kerruish, who with 301 marathons to his credit, holds the Australian all-time record - 14 ahead of his nearest rival.
This year's marathon will be no exception with Bob Fickel having registered to run.
Fickel has run 158 marathons, the third most in Asutralia and needs only four more to move into second spot.
This year he has run quite a few, including his 21st Canberra Marathon and his first London Marathon.
He has too many accolades to list, but they include many ultra marathons, including the awesome Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run.
As well as the Fitzroy Falls marathon on Saturday October 15, there will be three other cross country events - a 10 kilometre run and a five kilometre run, as well as a five kilometre walk.
The Fire Trail runs are held on Saturday October 15 in the scenic Morton National Park, and start from Twin Falls Bush Cottages which back right onto the trails. Signs on the Nowra Road direct entrants to the race start and there is ample off street parking for runners and spectators.
Jesper Olsen to start Ireland Run
" RUN THE WORLD WITH ACE JESPER" - BY LINDIE NAUGHTON. ( Evening Herald,
Ireland 6th October)
Arriving at last in Shannon next Tuesday 11th October is Danish ultra
runner Jesper Olsen, who set out from London on January 1, 2004 to run the
world.
After he lands and collects his baggage very early in the morning, Jesper
will be on the road again, aiming to get as close as possible to Nenagh
during the day, with any local runners who want to keep him company more
than welcome.
Over the following days he will pass through Roscrea, Portlaoise, and
Newbridge before arriving in Dublin, hopefully on Saturday. When he reaches
the capital he hopes to run as far as the Mansion House to meet Mayor
Catherine Byrne.
"I'll be running on adrenalin at that stage and want to be fit for my
final 100km stage into London, " he says.
On Sunday, if time and energy permit, Olsen is even thinking of running
the Gerry Farnan cross country race in the Phoenix Park before making the
trip to England.
Looking after Jesper on his Irish trip is ultra distance record holder
Tony Mangan, who cycled round the world in 1978/9.
" Originally Jesper had planned to fly from New York to Glasgow, but I
e-mailed him and askd him why he was flying over our beautiful and rainy
country!" says Mangan.
In less than two years, Olsen has run through four continents, the minimum
required for a world record run.
En route he has competed in local races winning a 24 hour race in Sweeden
and the Colpac 6-day race in Australia.
Over shorter distances, he finished third in a 5km cross country race in
16 minutes 31 seconds.
Recently he ran his 25,000 kilometre in Pittsburg USA; he aims to run 26,000
kilometres in total.
At the moment [ time of print ] he is running along Highway 30 and hopes
to arrive in New York tomorrow ( Friday 7th October).
Jesper doesn't run all day every day - for example his logbook for
September 1 shows that he ran 32 kilometres in 3 hours 6 minutes.
But with the ultra world waiting to greet him in London, he wants to run a
final 100km day to complete his run before the end of October.
Tony Mangan is currently looking for offers of accommodation for Jesper in
Roscrea and Portlaoise.
If you can help, or just want to join Jesper for a few miles contact Tony
Mangan or check out the following website - www.worldrun.org
Ireland 6th October)
Arriving at last in Shannon next Tuesday 11th October is Danish ultra
runner Jesper Olsen, who set out from London on January 1, 2004 to run the
world.
After he lands and collects his baggage very early in the morning, Jesper
will be on the road again, aiming to get as close as possible to Nenagh
during the day, with any local runners who want to keep him company more
than welcome.
Over the following days he will pass through Roscrea, Portlaoise, and
Newbridge before arriving in Dublin, hopefully on Saturday. When he reaches
the capital he hopes to run as far as the Mansion House to meet Mayor
Catherine Byrne.
"I'll be running on adrenalin at that stage and want to be fit for my
final 100km stage into London, " he says.
On Sunday, if time and energy permit, Olsen is even thinking of running
the Gerry Farnan cross country race in the Phoenix Park before making the
trip to England.
Looking after Jesper on his Irish trip is ultra distance record holder
Tony Mangan, who cycled round the world in 1978/9.
" Originally Jesper had planned to fly from New York to Glasgow, but I
e-mailed him and askd him why he was flying over our beautiful and rainy
country!" says Mangan.
In less than two years, Olsen has run through four continents, the minimum
required for a world record run.
En route he has competed in local races winning a 24 hour race in Sweeden
and the Colpac 6-day race in Australia.
Over shorter distances, he finished third in a 5km cross country race in
16 minutes 31 seconds.
Recently he ran his 25,000 kilometre in Pittsburg USA; he aims to run 26,000
kilometres in total.
At the moment [ time of print ] he is running along Highway 30 and hopes
to arrive in New York tomorrow ( Friday 7th October).
Jesper doesn't run all day every day - for example his logbook for
September 1 shows that he ran 32 kilometres in 3 hours 6 minutes.
But with the ultra world waiting to greet him in London, he wants to run a
final 100km day to complete his run before the end of October.
Tony Mangan is currently looking for offers of accommodation for Jesper in
Roscrea and Portlaoise.
If you can help, or just want to join Jesper for a few miles contact Tony
Mangan or check out the following website - www.worldrun.org
Sunday, October 09, 2005
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