Saturday, February 04, 2006

Sacred Run 2006

http://www.sacredrun.org/


At sunrise on Saturday, February 11, 2006, runners and supporters of the 28th Annual
International Sacred Run will gather on San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island for send-off
ceremonies. After the ceremony, runners will travel to Sacramento and run crosscountry
to Washington, D.C., a distance of about 4,000 miles. The 71-day run will
cover 12 states before arriving at the nation’s capital on Earth Day, April 22, 2006.
Runners will swing through Gulf Coast territory to be with those who are rebuilding
after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The purpose of the run is to draw attention to the sacred relationship that exists
between humans and this planet we call Mother Earth. As they make their journey
across America runners will carry the message “All life is sacred”, and offer information
and opportunities for people to take a more active roll in supporting and preserving the
environment, and peace. They will also offer songs and prayers of healing and
recovery for hurricane victims and for all of the world’s peoples. The planning of the
run is being organized by Dennis Banks and the staff of Nowa Cumig Institute, along
with volunteers coast to coast.

Walking on Sunshine - Scottish Walker

http://www.walkingonsunshine.co.uk/

Marathon Woman - Susan Denham-Smith

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/weekendlife/viewarticle.aspx?id=323396

UltraMan

http://www.ultramanworlds.com/

Triple Ultra Triathlon - Germany

http://www.triathlon.ostseekueste.de/triathlon/index.htm

Triathlon Levis

http://www.triathlon-levis.com/triat/Eng_Accueil.asp?lang=eng

8 July 2006

Canberra Sri Chinmoy 100km update

After an hour and 35 minutes Garry Wise from Victoria was in the lead with 20km up. Trevor Marsh is doing very well as well and is about 2km back. The track is looking very nice anyway and there about 15 solo and team competitors entered. Unfortunately I wont get back there tomorrow morning as I have another commitment on.

http://www.coolrunning.com.au/gallery/Sri-Chinmoy-3-Day-Ultra-Triathlon-100km-Run-leg

NEARLY 600 MILES

NEARLY 600 MILES
Veteran's Long Walk

Sunburnt, a little tired and nursing a blistered heel, Sid Barber, 50, a South Australian athlete, walked into Melbourne on Monday and so finished his 596-mile walk from Adelaide. He was 13½ days on the road.

Barber attempted to make the journey in 11½ days but a blistered heel and strong head winds at certain stages of his walk robbed him of the chance. Although he is disappointed at his failure to do the journey in the time he set himself, Barber believes it is possible to make the trip with favourable weather. With the exception of four occasions, he slept under the stars, hedges being his only shelter. His staple food was a pound of chocolate a day and billies of tea.

It took 48 years before Barber's 11 day projection was realised and it was achieved by another well known South Australian walking identity, Jack Webber (C 2). Jack, then aged 64, set off from Melbourne on Wednesday 15 August 1979 and reached Adelaide on Saturday August 25. His performance set a new walk record for Melbourne to Adelaide with an epic 10 days 2 hours 30 mins. Jack regarded this as perhaps his greatest achievement and he had the privilege of
being accompanied by former Olympian Marjorie Jackson over the last few hundred metres - amid a great reception – to the Adelaide Town Hall.

Presumably Sid Barber's 13 days still remains the record for a walk from Adelaide to Melbourne.

Thanks to Tim Erickson of the Australian Centurions for being able to publish this article and the other article on Sid Barber

Arun Bhardwaj completes 1000km Solo

My dear friends,
 
I am Arun here on Suman's computer.
 
Run is finished at 4.40 PM.
 
Thank you very much from all your support throughout the Run. It was a fantastic Run. You all were giving energy to me. The great share of this Run goes to my experience gained during Australian Six Days Race 2005, and running with Yiannis and seeing him. The only reason to run in that race was to see Yiannis running with a world record and how he does it. That was a learning class for me. Also Vlastik's running was also in my mind during tough stretches.
 
I will try to write a few lines on this Run and send to you.
 
With regards,
 
- Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, who appreciates you very much
 
Rest

Friday, February 03, 2006

Arun 7km from Finish of 1000km

Hi, all friends of Arun
Arun has entered in Delhi. He is just 7 kms away from the Planning Commission office.He will approximately reach in office by 4.00 pm

Sid Barber - Adelaide to Melbourne 1931

Nowadays, our planning for any athletic endeavour is detailed and thorough – money is normally not an obstacle and supporters, coaches and family are ready to do what is required to ensure success. But this has not always been the case – in the midst of the Great Depression, a South Australian walker attempted what would test us even now – a solo unsupported walk of nearly 600 miles.

Sid Barber, a well known pedestrian of earlier times and widely recognised throughout South Australia for his comments on athletics under the name of 'Old Ped', set out at midnight on Monday 16 February 1931 from the Adelaide GPO in an attempt to walk from Adelaide to Melbourne in 11 days. With a total distance of 596 miles, he would need to average 52
miles a day.


The scheduling of his walk in what is traditionally the hottest month of summer was a gamble. All he was carrying was a small swag and a water bag, and he hoped that passing motorists would take them ahead for him and leave them at towns where he had arranged to spend nights.
He covered 63 miles on his first day, stopping at Wellington on the Murray on the Tuesday evening. On the way, he had stopped for an hour by the road and had enjoyed a swim in Lake Alexandrina. He commented that he had filled his water bag 5 times and used it mainly by gargling.

After a rest in Wellington, he pushed on to Meningie (93 miles) where he arrived mid afternoon the next day. He then slept until about midnight before setting out on the lonely track through the Coorong where hot weather was expected. Barber reached the half-way house at Salt Creek on Thursday night and left on Friday. He was then slightly behind schedule but hoping to make up time on the better roads. At one time employed in the postal department as a letter carrier, it was while 'padding the hoof' that he got his liking for the 'heel and toe' sport. Now, aged 50 and with a career in amateur walking behind him, the President of the Plympton Athletics Club had trained for about 5 weeks for his big task, his preparation being 14-mile walks in the evening. He had
previous experience of long distance walking, having covered 50 miles on an Adelaide to Darlington course in 1916 in 9½ hours. That was 12 minutes better than the official Australian record but, being a road time, not eligible for record status.

Messrs. Griffiths Brothers had offered to provide him with supply of tea and chocolate and these had been forwarded to various places.

The Melbourne newspaper recorded his arrival in Melbourne some 2 weeks later
1010

Arun is 20km away from his 1000km attempt

Hi, all friends of Arun,

Arun is just 20 kms away from Delhi at 1.00 pm on 3.2.2006

WELL DONE ARUN. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU

Tamborine Trek - 27 May 2006


Dear fellow athlete

The next running of the Tamborine Trek is on Saturday 27 May 2006. This is one of the most picturesque trail/road runs in Australia. The distance is 62 km, partly on undulating 4WD roads in the Nerang state forest, partly on little-used Mystery Road to the top of Mt Tamborine and back again. It is great training for those doing Comrades or just a plain good run. For those not wishing to run that far, there is a relay section for teams of three, over the same course, with each team member running approx 21 km. There is also a special course in the forest for those preparing for the Kokoda Challenge in July.

For more information, see www.goldcoast100.com/TamborineTrek/index.html or call Ian Cornelius on 07 5537 8872

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Article on Marcy Schwam

http://www2.townonline.com/marblehead/schoolSports/view.bg?articleid=412335

Local soldiers look for extreme challenge in forest run

http://www.zwire.com/site/News.cfm?BRD=1147&dept_id=483434&newsid=16038244&PAG=461&rfi=9

Sri Chinmoy completed new world record

http://www.srichinmoycentre.org/news/sri_chinmoy_270lb_wristcurl

Arun 150km from Goal

Hi, all friends of Arun,
 
Arun has completed 350 kms at 3.00 pm on 2.2.2006. His target is to reach the Delhi by 4.00 Pm on 3.2.2006. He is 150 kms away from Delhi.

Pine mountain trail 2006

Pine mountain trail 2006

This year's race will be on 7October 2006, for those unfamiliar, this is an all single track 50 miler in Pine Mountain Georgia. It has all the bell's and whistles with pre race meal, great aid stations, laser etched trophies to all finishers and this year a 1 in 4 chance to win a 100 dollar gift certificate to a running store all for a $65 entry fee. The field is limited to100 and is expected to fill very quickly.

www.pinemountainrun.com

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Arun Update - 630km

Suman kk <aishwarya_suman@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi, all friends of Arun
Arun has started back his journey from Lucknow at 4.15 p.m on 30th January, 2006. Now, at 3.00 pm. on 31st January, 2006 he has completed 115 kms.
It was 515km on the way out – so I would say he has covered 630km all up - Phil

Happy 65th Ultra Kraut

Orange County Register    
Thursday,  January 26, 2006  
Huntington Beach retiree lives to  run

A lifelong fitness buff and  endurance athlete runs 65 miles to celebrate his 65th birthday. Age has  slowed him a bit, but he sets a goal and finishes it.

By GREG HARDESTY  
The  Orange  County  Register      
FOUNTAIN  VALLEY - The big  run was at 5 o'clock sharp. In the morning.
Sixty-five  miles. On foot. Sixteen-plus  laps around Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, give or take a few slabs  of concrete.
Sixty-five  miles, as a 65th birthday present to himself.
For  one of his last meals before his run Saturday, Jurgen Ankenbrand sat down  for an early lunch at McDonald's. He had two apple pies and a Dr Pepper  with no ice. Before the  run, he drank a steaming cup of instant coffee with cream and  sugar. No  water. No stretching.
No  iPod. No expensive running shoes.

"I  do everything unconventional," Ankenbrand says.
Umm,  yes.
On  mile 36, his shirt off and the balls of his feet aching (he already had  taped them twice), Ankenbrand - deeply tanned from years of running and  hanging out at the beach - slowed to a brisk walk, looking for a  bathroom. "I  don't know whose crazy idea this was," he says, "but whoever it is, that  person should be shot.

'LIVING THE  LIFE'
The man who  calls himself "Ultra Kraut" loves to talk as much as he loves to run. And  he loves to run.
A  native of Nuremberg, he has completed more  than 125 ultra-marathons
(typically, 32- to 50-mile races) on seven  continents, including a trek through the Sahara desert. He  has run marathons (26.2 miles) around the base camp of Mount Everest and  on a glacier in Antarctica.
At  5-feet-6, with the stocky body of an aging rugby player, Ankenbrand is  animated. He speaks with a German accent, his voice slightly  raised. He  bounces from topic to topic as if he were on a permanent endorphin  high. Riffing on  his failed 18-year marriage - which ended about 18 years ago - Ankenbrand  says: "After one kid, I told her, 'That's all you're going to get from  me!' And I went out and got a vasectomy."

On  his 30-year-old daughter, Monica, who lives in New York and works  for ACNielsen, he says: "She makes double the money I ever made in my best  job." On  how fit America's youth are: "They need  to get off their asses and stop watching TV all  day."
Ankenbrand  sees himself as a fitness ambassador, but he's not some gung-ho crusader  trying to convert the slovenly.
He  runs for himself. His  hobby became a lifestyle - one that didn't start until he was 47. He first  laced up his running shoes after living more than two decades in the  United  States.
Running has  taken Ankenbrand all over the world. Freelance photography and writing  help him cover the costs. Because he  has no emotional attachments, he can come and go as he likes. He hasn't  had a steady girlfriend in eight years.
"I'm  living the life I want to live," says Ankenbrand, who lives mainly on  $1,150 monthly Social Security checks and as a part-time mystery shopper.  "I don't have to prove anything to me or anyone else. I don't need other  people to affirm what I'm doing.
"I  can do without the trappings of everyday life. I don't envy people who  have material things. The experience of running and traveling more than  compensates for the material things I don't have."
Ankenbrand  lives month to month, with no savings. He rents a room in a
townhouse in  Huntington  Beach. He  drives a purple '95 Ford Probe with 200,000 miles on it that is decorated with 39 stickers from some of the roughly 75 countries he's  visited. Practically  his entire life - running clothes and beach supplies - is packed
into the  trunk of his car.

WHY  NOT?
Ankenbrand  grew up in an upper-middle-class family. His father was in the insurance  business.
He  didn't really know what he wanted to do after high school. His father  suggested a career as a chef. "I  thought, 'What the hell. Why not?'" Ankenbrand says. He  served as an apprentice for three years then went to Cologne, then Sweden.
He  came to the United  States in 1962 to work as a cook at a hotel in  
Houston, then took a 40-hour bus ride to  Los  Angeles. He  checked into a YMCA and got hired at a German  restaurant. Except for  four years when he lived in Hawaii, he  has worked in the Southern California food industry ever since -  mostly in management.
He  once owned his own bistro, and once declared bankruptcy after being  
unemployed for 14 months. One  day in 1987, while working at Cal State Long Beach, a student dared him to  enter the Long Beach Marathon.
Students knew  him as a tennis fanatic. He played five sets of singles every  Sunday. "I  thought, 'What the hell. Why not?'" Ankenbrand says.
He  finished the marathon in 4 hours and 5 minutes - very impressive,  
especially for someone who didn't train. About a month  later, Ankenbrand heard about a 50-mile race at Mile Square
Park. He entered and finished the  50-miler in 9 1/2 hours.
To  train for the marathon in Antarctica, he ran in snow shoes on the sands of  Huntington  Beach while wearing a 25-pound  backpack.
"People  thought I was nuts," he says. Thought?
Ankenbrand  runs barefoot about every other day for 4 miles at the beach, then goes  for an ocean swim - never in a wetsuit.
In  March 2003, he took early retirement as a purchasing agent for a  
food-service company at UC Irvine. He left to write about and photograph a  66-day run from Lisbon to Moscow.
Race  times always have been irrelevant to Ankenbrand. He runs to  finish. Age  has slowed him a bit. Now, he frequently walks.
But  he always tries to finish.

LONG  DAY
Ankenbrand  figured his 65-mile run would take about 15 hours.
He  normally doesn't run on concrete, preferring dirt trails. "After about  halfway through, I did much more walking than running, but all I wanted to  do was finish." Ankenbrand says. "There was absolutely no way I would not  finish this run, so I had to ration my energy."
He  ate peanut butter sandwiches and other snacks and candies, and drank juice  that he kept in his unlocked car.
After every  lap, he marked the time on a handmade poster.
He  finished in 16 1/2 hours, wearing gloves, a jacket and a long-sleeve shirt  and pants - similar to what he was wearing when he started in the chilly  morning air.
"It  certainly was a very tough and long day at the office," he says. "But I  have proven many times that I have what it takes to survive. Willpower and  motivation is what gets you through."
Ankenbrand  now is helping a friend plan a run from the northern tip of
Europe to  Cape Town,  South  Africa. He  plans to run some of the legs himself. "My  motto is, 'Do the most, with the least effort,'" Ankenbrand says. "Once  that stops working, maybe I'll go back to tennis."


____________________________________

Mansfield to Mount Buller report

Mansfield to Mount Buller Summit 50km Road Race

North East Victoria. Sunday 22nd January 2006

RESULTS


1.Tim COCHRANE 4.27.04
2.Drew ARTHURSON 4.47.35
=3.Michael NORDEN 4.51.39
=3.Brent DOWER 4.51.39
5.Stephen CALLAHAN 4.57.57
6.Chris MURPHY 5.12.00
7.Gerry SURRIDGE 5.13.03
8.Kelvin MARSHALL 5.18.14
9.Paul ROBINSON 5.19.45
10.Brian GAWNE 5.29.54
11.Susan OLLEY ( F) 5.43.56
12.Adrian PANOZZO 5.51.29
13.Neil RAMPLING 5.55.26
14.Brian HARRISON 6.12.13
15.Garry WISE 6.21.44
16.Rudi KINSHOFER 6.33.06
=17.Danny COLE 6.45.45
=17.Paul BAN 6.45.45
=17.Robert BOYCE 6.45.45
20.Brian O'FARRELL 7.00.00
21.Richard McCORMICK 7.16.42

DNF's
Deanne NOBBS [F]
Steve TREVASKIS
Alan KERR
Martin HUNT



Report by Kevin Cassidy

“Cult Status” is an apt description of this event. Back in the 80’s, on numerous visits to his brother’s Mansfield home, Peter Armistead trained regularly on the Mount Buller road. “It would make a great race along here” he once observed in his direct and laconic fashion, and so it came to be in 1991. 32 kilometres of undulations leading to the brutal 16 kilometre ascent to the summit of one of Victoria’s highest peaks with the final two kilometres taking in the descent from the summit to the front door of the Arlberg Ski Lodge.

“You only go up there to mix with your old cronies and relive past glories” was the sarcasm laden parting line as I left Melbourne on the Saturday afternoon. Of course, I had to smile at what was actually a very profound comment. This event is the one time each year when the old guard of ultrarunners from the 80’s and 90’s gather together in our roles as race organisers and officials. Believe me, the tall stories grow taller every year. Give us another year or two and I’m sure someone will come up with a sub two hour marathon from 25 years ago!

Under normal circumstances, mention of weather conditions is often a boring waste of time and ink. 2006, however, provided unprecedented circumstances. With bushfires raging across the state and the mercury climbing to the dizzying height of 39 degrees on the Saturday, things looked nightmarish to say the least. With an amended race day forecast of 43 degrees, runners looked to have a task more ominous than attempting to photograph Mark Latham without physical harm, or worse still, sitting through a dinner date with Amanda Vanstone.

The consumption of dinner on the Saturday night was at the Mansfield Pub, a delightful establishment that could be further enhanced by the installation of a functional air conditioning system.

Little sleep had occurred during the hot sweaty night as 25 brave [or extremely demented!] competitors stood apprehensively on the Highton Road corner. With the first 30 kilometres being run on a shadeless road amongst parched sunburnt paddocks, Tim Cochrane bolted away at four minute kilometre pace and the field soon strung out. Former Australian Football League umpire, Adrian Panozzo, was attempting his first ultra alongside numerous regulars. Susan Olley, Brian O’Farrell, Rudi Kinshofer [all the way from Adelaide], Kelvin Marshall and Steve Trevaskis front up again and again. Brian Gawne tops them all, never having missed a year since the races inception. The unassuming Garry Wise and cricket loving Robert Boyce, two reasonably new ultra gurus, have caught the bug in a substantial way and can be observed at ultras all over the country. Danny Cole was returning from injury and freely admitted to being severely undertrained but having a crack regardless. The surprise appearance came from Gerry Surridge, a classy athlete from the 70’s now residing in Ballarat. Gerry was to prove that age is no barrier.

As always, the collection of broken down ex runners [yes, that includes me] embarked on the job of kangaroo hopping along the road in the definitive role of mobile aid stations. At 20 kilometres, I was dripping with sweat and almost dying of heat stroke. All I was doing was handing out drinks! I could only imagine how the runners felt, running under the blazing furnace like sunshine! My sympathy and respect for them was to rise several notches as the day progressed.

Aid station operations aren’t without there moments. Long periods of waiting are common place. At one point, I decided that a spot of dial twirling on the radio would pass some time. I managed to pick up some country hick station that featured a severely deranged individual known as the “Yodelling Cowboy” who proceeded to infest the airwaves by yodelling furiously. If you have ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a blowfly as it buzzes mindlessly across the inside of a window, then five minutes listening to the Yodelling Cowboy would give you a reasonably accurate idea.

Further up the road, the incomparable Dot Browne had dutifully set up an assortment of drinks, fruit and jelly beans before sneaking behind a tree for a brief call of nature….brief, the call may have been, but still of sufficient length to allow an opportunistic flock of crows to wipe the table clean in the most efficient but selfish of manners. Not a single jelly bean remained!

The undulations prior to the climb to the summit produced four retirements. To all of you, your guts, determination and intelligence in your decisions won my admiration many times over.

I eventually resettled my aid station half way up the mountain at 41 kilometres. The runners coming past bore no resemblance to those at the start. “Punch Drunk” is the only term I could use as tired, exhausted bodies dragged themselves ever upward. Garry Wise surprised me by arriving in a cheerful and lucid state and happy to exchange pleasantries. With the final runner passing through, I took off for the summit forgetting the newspaper that was sitting in the back of my ute. In no time at all, pages were decorating the landscape in all directions creating a dastardly mess that consumed much of my time in the clean up.

While Ross Shilston recorded times at the summit and complained loudly about being attacked by a savage swarm of march flies, runners were arriving at the finish. Tim Cochrane stormed home with several new faces in hot pursuit. Drew Arthurson, Michael Norden, Brent Dower and Stephen Callahan all performed admirably in their first attempts over this rugged course.

Clearly suffering from injury, Kelvin Marshall slugged it out, as did Rudi Kinshofer who was not having the best of days. Brian Gawne maintained his perfect finishing record while the ever reliable Susan Olley added another female title to her belt. Danny Cole, Robert Boyce and Paul Ban joined forces to support each other through the later stages, finishing together in a trio of commendable efforts.

Richard McCormick provided an incisive quote at the summit. “Another Mountain Conquered” he gasped succinctly as he gulped down a large cup of water. “Oooohhh, That Was Solid” was Adrian Panozzo’s statement of the obvious as he crossed the finish line.

Presentations took place amongst the inviting surrounds of the Arlberg Lodge’s bar and lounge where the drinks were icy cold and food exceedingly scrumptious, providing a most convivial ending to one hellish day.

Driving home in air conditioned comfort, I made a brief toilet stop in the town of Yea where a tiny little car bearing a “Holden Barina” badge pulled up beside me. In the drivers seat was a giant of man, but it was the huge woman beside him that really attracted my eye, she would not have looked out of place on the front cover of a sumo wrestling magazine and had clearly won championships for doughnut eating. With no fewer than six children crammed into the back seat, the comical sardine can appearance left me bemused beyond description.





Monday, January 30, 2006

Arun Bhardwaj completed over 500km

Dear friends,
 
After starting from Delhi on 24th Jan at 1.45 PM , I have arrived here in Lucknow at Kendriya Bhavan, Aliganj at 9.45AM after covering about 515 km. Inspector General of Lucknow presided the reception gathering. The back legofthe run is scheduled to start at 4.pm today.
I am totally injury free.As for hip and knee (left) pain it is the part of it and I am enjoying the run. I walked a lot during the first leg . Now my spirit says that I can cover 160 km on the first day.
Suman will keep you informed . (our one phone was stolen during the way in a mechanic shop) and other was not working because there was no power throughout the all way to chargethe batteries. This time we are taking some extra batteries and will be able to givethe information to Suman on regular basis.
 
Regards,
- Arun

Mountain Mist Results

Overall results:
http://www.huntsvilletrackclub.org/results/MM06/MMOALL2.htm

Results with splits:
http://www.huntsvilletrackclub.org/results/MM06/MMSPLITS.htm

Women results:
http://www.huntsvilletrackclub.org/results/MM06/MMWOMSPT.htm

Age group results:
http://www.huntsvilletrackclub.org/results/MM06/MMAGE.htm

Update on Arun's 1000km Run

Hi, all friends of Arun
 
I could not pass the  latest information about the race of Arun because 28th and 29th were holidays. Sorry for the same.
Arun has completed 300 kms at 1630 on 27th Jan. 2005.
On 29th January, 2005 at 11.00 Pm (night) he was just 28 kms. away from the Lucknow.
 
As soon as I will get the latest information about Arun from Arun, I will definately pass it to all of you.

World Walker

http://www.wwwalk.org/

PEACE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
    On August 18th, 2000, at 9:00 am, Jean BĂ©liveau left Montreal, Canada. His goal is to walk around the planet to promote "Peace and non-violence to the profit of the children of the world". He is travelling alone with a three wheeled stroller to carry a bit of food, his clothing, a First Aid kit, a small tent and a sleeping bag. Jean plans to walk across all the continents, from North America to South America, then across to South Africa, up to Europe, then the Middle East, South and Eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand and finally back to Canada.
This journey will take 12 years to complete which is in accordance with the United Nations proclamation: 2001-2010 - International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Rosie around the World

http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/

If one is ever looking for motivation or inspriation, have a look at the website of Rosie Swalepope. She is no Jesper Olsen, Bobby Brown or Serge Gerard but for sheer guts and determination this Lady is the Leader of the Pack. I hope she makes it - she deserves to.