The longest race on the Australian calendar was happening in Adelaide at Thorndon Park Reservoir from 29th of September to 5th of October 2024. Travel from Melbourne to Adelaide was done by car, so that I could take all I needed with me.
The course was a circuit around a lake with a total length of 1423m, and completely covered in concrete. As most Spartans, a Parkrun on the Saturday before the start was a must. Knowing that I had to walk for the next 6 days, I was not keen to do a Parkrun on a bike path. I found Anstey Hill Recreation Parkrun. I should have been warned by the word Hill. It was a single loop with approximately 400m elevation change, reflecting that the first runner crossing the line had a PB of 25 minutes.
Heading back to Thorndon Park for setting up the tent, going shopping and thinking about why am I doing this? Don’t worry, there is no real answer to it, at least from my point of view. After a good night’s rest it was time to register and pick up the bib. Talking to other runners and walkers indicated that I did end up in a very competitive field of runners. The weather was good in the high teens, no wind and overcast. The plan was to walk a minimum of 5km per hour. This way, I managed 102km in the 1st 24 hours. Taking my break for a sleep and looking forward to the next day. Getting up at 04:00am, as planned, was the only good thing on Monday morning.
Having developed knee pain lead to changing my goals, and take it more easily. The weather was sunny, but not too hot. What can you do if you can’t walk? Take your time and talk to your volunteers, and find out what motivates them. Vince, a young teenager of 14 years, was committed to helping and he did so every day from 7am to 8pm.
The pace of the runners was high, actually Blaine finished the event with a new course record of 840km. For my self, I got a boost, after realising that I had achieved a new age group record for the 200km walk in 56hrs and 45 minutes.
John, looking after Nikki Wynd, was always on hand also assisting other runners & walkers wherever needed.
The field of runners came from all over the world. Going into the third race day showed the toll on all participants. Also, the weather was warming up and the temperature hit 28 degrees. This meant having to rest more during the day, and more walking in the evening.
By now, everyone had settled into their own pace. Great organisation by the race director ensured that everyone’s personal preferences for hot food and drinks were catered for.
By Friday evening 10pm the last turn around was done. The following morning’s sunrise signalled that the race was coming to a close. In the last 15 minutes everyone received a little Koala toy with your own with race number. The purpose was to drop it as soon as the signal indicated that the race was over. My final distance was 404km. This means a new age group record for walking. I never did participate in an event that was so very well organised and all participants were wonderfully supported by any of the crew members. I am very grateful for this as I was on my own during the event.
Packing up after the presentation meant was time to drive home. Did I come closer to find an answer as to why I was doing such a long event? Not really. I still love my marathon distance, and with only three more Melbourne Marathons to go until I reach my 20th.
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