Sparthathlon Report from John Foden

British runners are once again successfully finishing the 246 kms with 9,000 feet of climb International Spartathlon in Greece, the most difficult annual ultra distance race in in the world. Last year in good conditions only two finished. This year five did - greatest number ever - yet the conditions were appalling.

For holiday makers Greece may seem to be all sunshine, sandy beaches and blue seas. But just as the leading competitors were climbing at night the shepherds¹ track over the rocky 4,000 foot pass between Mounts Mavrovouni and Kaequria, it began to rain. The rain reduced visibility outside the beams of the runners¹ torches to zero. The fields of scree and precipitous falls beside the slippery boulder strewn track would have caused Britain¹s Health & Safety Executive to ban the race outright. As it was this challenge came at the 160 kms, or 100 mile, point in it. Also at that height it was very cold and windy.

Up to then the young French athlete Jean-Jaques Moros had led the field. But soon after he had to relinquish his first place to the more experienced and previous winner Jens Lucas of Germany, who went on to finish by touching the statue of King Leonidhas in the astoundingly good time of 24-20-39. Dr Markus Thalmann of Austria and also a previous winner in was third. It was only as the last runners to finish, just within the time limit of 36 hours, that the rain eased off.

Perhaps though the most remarkable athlete was the diminutive Kimie Noto of Japan. She was first lady and 12th overall, in 30-23-07. She smiled all the way and bowed as she ran to those who cheered her. She is probably the most courteous athlete in the world.

For the first fifteen years the British, Commonwealth and Irish athletes dominated the victor¹s podium, but we have had to let other nations in on the act recently. So far Africans have shown no interest in this purely amateur sport.

For the second year running Mark Williams won the trophy for the first British athlete. He was closely followed by William Sichel, who comes from the Orkney Islands and was competing for the first time. Hopefully he will lead a British revival and have his name engraved on the fifteen foot high marble obelisk in Sparta¹s main boulevard. It would also be great if Austrailans, Canadians, Kiwis and South Africans followed Brian Smith onto the podium.

Kouros to start at Colac

KOUROS TO COMPETE AT 20TH COLAC 6-DAY RACE

The Colac 6-day race Committee have great pleasure in announcing that Greek Superstar, Yiannis Kouros, without doubt the best Ultra runner in the world will compete in the 20th Cliff Young Australian 6-day race at Colac, Victoria from the 20th till the 26th November 05. Kouros, who will be travelling from Athens to compete in the event, is the holder of several world records including the 6day track record of 1023.2km(set at Colac twenty one years ago) and the 24hr track record of 303km.

Kouros last competed at Colac in 2000 where he won with 801.6km. This is still an incredible distance when you consider that he was injured after two days. Kouros is looking at improving this distance this time and looks like being in top form after completing the double Sparthathlon in Greece earlier this year.

Race commentator, Phil Essam believes that with the addition of Kouros into the field, the race has the potential to be one of the best 6-day races of all times. "Kouros isnt going to have it all his own way this year. Claude Hardel from France, ran 923 km in a 6-day race at Germany earlier this year and there are two Japanese runners that have excellent results to their name this year. The first is Kenji Okiyama who ran 407km in a 48hr race this year and the other one is Muneharu Kiroda who ran over 250km in a 24hr race at Tapei earlier this year. This race has the potential to be one of the best." said Essam

The race is being run from the 20th to the 26th of November at Memorial Square, Colac. It can be followed online at www.sixdayrace.org.au . There are now thirty seven runners in the field with twelve different countries being represented. Spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the runners throughout the six days of the event. There will also be bands playing during the week and several other activities will be happening at the Square throughout the week..

If you would like further information, please phone Phil Essam on 0407830263 or email on pessam@bigpond.net.au

Phil Essam

FIRST INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN TO RUN AT COLAC

DREW’S WISH TO COME TRUE


Seventy year old, Albert (Jack) Clarke , an Elder from the Gunditjmara Tribe in Warrnambool is set to be the first Indigenous Australian to compete in the Cliff Young Australian 6-day race in the last twenty years. It is also believed that Clarke is also the first Indigenous Australian to compete in an Ultramarathon race in Australia and the World.

Former Colac legend, Drew Kettle, who was a regular competitor in the race, would be smiling from above as it was a lifelong dream of his that an Indigenous Australian would be competing in the race.

Clarke does not have any running or walking experience but comes from a very strong cycling background. Three years ago he cycled from Perth to Warrnambool to raise awareness for diabetes research and is also a twice finisher of the Melbourne to Warrnambool cycle race. Clarke was also an accomplished boxer in his time, being undefeated in the featherweight class.

Clarke is competing in the 6-day race as training for a ride from Darwin to Adelaide in the future. He does have type 2 diabetes which is under control and likes to raise awareness about the dangers of diabetes through his sporting achievements. He is hoping that his sporting achievements can be a role model and inspiration for any young aboriginals and diabetics. As Clarke said “If I can do it, anyone can”.

The race starts on Nov 20th at Memorial Square at Colac, Victoria and goes till Nov 26th. It can be followed on line at www.sixdayrace.org.au or if your at Colac, please come to the Square during the week and support Clarke and his fellow competitors.

For further information, please contact Phil Essam on pessam@bigpond.net.au or 0407830263.

Phil's thought for October

"No Elite sportsman is bigger than the sport that he participates in. Especially when he doesnt always play by the rules!"

Phil Essam

Welcome another Correspondent on "World Ultra News" Team

Hi Everyone,

It's with great pleasure that I welcome Tony Mangan from Ireland to the World Ultra News Team. Tony is the record holder for the World 48hr Treamill record and recently helped Jesper Olsen with his run across Ireland. Tony will bew posting reports and information from Ireland, England and Scotland. Thanks Tony.

Phil

Busy Month in Australia

Nov 2005
Sat-Sun 5-6 Nov FREYCINET LODGE CHALLENGE (TAS)
Adventure race on Tasmania's coast around Freycinet & Wineglass Bay comprising Hazards Beach Run, Road Cycle, Freycinet Lodge to Swan River Road, Moulting Lagoon Kayak, Cape Tourville Mountain Bike Ride, Coles Bay Kayak, Road Bike, Friendly Beach Mountain Bike Ride, Wineglass Bay Run. contact: Tim Saul on (03) 6248-9049 or 0438-687-302. email: tasultraevents@tasmail.com. Visit the website for more details.

Sun 6 Nov VICTORIAN 6 HOUR AND 50KM TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS (VIC)
The Traralgon harriers Athletic Club, on behalf of AURA, will be hosting this event at the Moe Athletic Centre, Newborough [synthetic surface]. $30 covers entry to both events and refreshments afterwards. Start time is 8am. Also a 6 Hour relay event contact: Rob Embleton (03) 5133-7568. Visit the website for more details.

Sat-Sun 12-13 Nov THE GREAT NORTH WALK 100S (NSW)
The Terrigal Trotters running club is organizing two simultaneous trail races, a 100 Mile (161 kilometre) and a 100 Kilometre, along a large section of The Great North Walk south from Teralba on Lake Macquarie. The 100 Kilometre race will finish at Yarramalong in the scenic Yarramalong Valley and the 100 Mile at Patonga on spectacular Broken Bay. Although the route is primarily on foot tracks and 4WD trails, it does include some minor back roads. Both races will start at 6:00am on Saturday, 12 November 2005. There will be cut-off times at Checkpoints en route and the overall time limits will be 18 hours for the 100 Kilometre and 30 hours for the 100 Mile. contact: Dave Byrnes on 0428-880-784. email: byrnesinoz@yahoo.com. Visit the website for more details.

Sat 19 Nov THE MOLESWORTH RUN ()
84km individual or team event. This unique event takes in part of historic Molesworth Station - NZ's largest farm, 180,000 hectares. Beginning at the original Molesworth Cob Cottage our run follows the old stock route connecting Marlborough and North Canterbury. Visit the website for more details.

Sun-Sat 20-26 Nov COLAC 6 DAY RACE (VIC)
Australia's greatest 6 day race. contact: Six Day Race Committee, PO BOX 163, Colac, Vic, 3250. email: ultraoz@iprimus.com.au. Visit the website for more details.

Sun 27 Nov TWO BAYS TRAIL RUN (VIC) – FAT ASS (VIC)
Date/Time : 8:00am, Sunday 27th November 2005. Distance : 30km or 60km. Start Location : Anthony’s Nose Boat Ramp, Dromana (80km from Melb). Finish Location for 30km: Cape Schanck Lighthouse car park, Cape Schanck. Finish Location for 60km Anthony’s Nose Boat Ramp, Dromana. Start Facilities : Water, shops & toilets close by. Parking OK. Time Limit: None. Entry Fee: Free! Visit the website for more details.

The Sri Chinmoy 3-day Ultra Triathlon 3-5 Feb 06

http://www.srichinmoyraces.org/au/events/3day_ultra_triathlon/

Detonty Iron Fist 50k Run/Trifecta 2005 Results

http://www.universalsole.com/results/detonty/detonty05/htm

3rd Annual Louisville's Lovin' the Hills 50k/15m Trail Runs

Back by popular demand, the 3rd annual Louisville' Lovin' the Hills 50k/15m Trail Runs will take place on February 18, 2006 at 8am EST in the Jefferson Memorial Forest in Louisville, KY.

New this year is a 15 mile option. Former RD Eric Grossman moved to Virginia, so Brenda Gutmann and Joan Wood take over this year as RDs. They hope Eric will return to run the race he started!

Course map and additional directions will be added to the site in the near future.

For a race app and information go to:

http://www.cherokeeroadrunners.org/11th/index.html

Happy Trails,

Constance Karras :)

11/12/05 Tanks Alot and Ron Herzog 50k Race Entry Apps

For race information and apps go to:

http://www.mergeo.com/merdian/tanksalot/default.html

Happy Trails,

Constance Karras :)