Seriously, yes Christmas is almost here and another year has almost finished.  I could say its been a bugger of a year with the 2 bladder stones and 1 tumor being removed and then losing Mum to Crohns  four weeks ago.

But, I think  a lot of positives  have come out of the year.  My friends and family have been there for me every time and it has been fantastic to get their help and concern when needed.  Thankyou.

Walking – hasnt been much in that department.  I did do a 6 hour walk in September and completed 33km.  I have also completed several smaller Club walks.

But that is going to change in 2012.  Walking is going to be one of my main focuses and I am going to enjoy being 50!  I will be raising money from Crohns Research  and you can see my fundraising page at:  http://www.everydayhero.com.au/ksforCrohns   I will be totalling every km I walk and bike ride in training and competing.  At this stage, my three main walking events for 2012 are going to be the Coburg 24hr, Canbera 2 day walk ( 72kms) and the Sri Chinmoy 24hr!    But more on my 2012 Walking aims later along with my other New Years Resolutions.

For the record, I did 6.59km in an hour this morning.  Not bad.

Most of all:

Happy Christmas

The Fun Run itself was excellant and cost absolutley nothing. I dont know how they do it in these days of public liability insurance and road closures. The volunteers did a great job with manning the road closures and the water stations (every 2kms or so) and the atmosphere at the finish looked fantastic. For the record, there was at least 1,000 cyclists, runners and walkers entered.What could be improved? Perhaps some water at the start and perhaps a different category/colour for the serious walkers. (Runners/walkers can enter as runners).For me – GREAT confidence booster and am looking forward to upping the Kms!Here is the route:http://www.stepwhere.com/maps/route/9390

At the end oflast year I decided to go back to my origins, so to speak and enter the Coburg 24hr. I also decided that I would raise money for Legacy with the 24h. I did end up raising 450 dollars which all helps.

Training for the event.

Probably didn’t start seriously until after the Jan holidays and peaked with 4 half marathons in March. More on course for the LBG carnival in June in Canberra. But knew I had to do Coburg as it may be longer before I got into the arena again.

Week before the event.

Took my car in for a service. Bad news when I went to pick it up. The steering wheel assembly was stuffed and the mechanic didn’t recommend a long journey. Umm. After some discussion with my lovely wife, Belinda it was decided that I would get the train down and leave Laura , daughter, and her friend behind. They were going to be my crew!

Journey to the event

Started at 2am on the Friday morning. The alarm went off and Belinda dropped me at the train station for the 2.49 train to Melbourne. Probably had another 2hrs sleep on the train. Arrived at Southern Cross station at about 9am and was amazed by the new station in place. I was like a young lad arriving in the city for the first time!

I then found the connecting train to Carrum where Sandra Howorth lives.

Sandra was competing in the event as well and offered to put me up and share crew space for the race. Sandra got home about 4pm and after packing her car we headed to the event with her son, Jordan.

We got to the track about 6pm. Set up the tents and then headed to Curly Joes for the pre race pasta party. Had a very nice vegetarian pizza and it was good to catch up with some old friends. We got back to the track about 9.30pm, set up the rest of the camp site and then bedded down for the night.

Race day.

Woke up at 5.30 in a very cold way after having a very restless night. I had used the sleeping bag as a doonah and underneath on the camp bed was as cold as. Stumbled to the clubrooms and had a cup of tea and a shower to warm up. The track quickly took shape as competitors and crew turned up. The weather was perfect and looked like being 25 degrees in the afternoon. It was good as well when my good friend, Arun Bhardwaij turned up from India. It was good to catch up with a few other friends as well that I hadn’t seen for a while/

The gun went off at 10am and the 45 runners ans walkers were off. First 6hrs went off well. I was a little bit over the planned total of 30kms and 100km seemed possible. It was good to see the help that other crew members were giving all the runners and walkers in the field. Deanne Nobbs and the gent looking after Davo are two examples. They were looking after their own runners, but positioned near the drinks table and making sure that people could get cups of water and gatorade. That’s the spirit of the sport.

I then stopped for a massage and about 5pm I stopped and had a bowl of lasagne in the track canteen. Was starting to feel empty in the stomach, so thought I better have some thing substantial. It was during that break that ultra legend. Stan Miskin had a gentle dig at me for stopping and wasting time.

At the time I did thinkstuff you, But it did stay in the back of my mind.

Got back out on the track and life was ugly. The bodu was hurting and negative joe was with me feeding a ton of bad thoughts into my head. Why was I here and what was I doing. But life settled and I got my marathon up by the 9hr mark.

I then realised that some of the pain went away when I concentrated on posture and standing straight. I then had a couple of good hours and brought upthe 50km before the 11 hour mark.

It was then time for another massage. Got back on the track and the, you have done well why don’t you finish now and come back another day demons surfaced. The 12 hour turnaround happened, I did a few more laps and then retired into Sandra’s car for a few hours.

It was about 1.15am when I woke up and got back on the track. I was walking very slowly, but was managing at 7 to 9 laps an hour. I remember Tim Erickson making mea cup of tea in the officials area because Im special. Thanks Tim. Also took another ten off and used the canteen for another break and cup of tea.

The second half of the race saw blind runner, Nick Gleeson start his twelve hour run. He was in lane three and had an escorted runner with him. Nick has run several marathons, run Comrades, climbed Mt Kilmanjaro and several other experiences in his life. He has definitely “seized the day” in his life and made it very extraordinary. Nick was to complete 70 plus kms in his 12 hours and there was a few of us inspired by his participation.

At 5am I had my final massage from Michael and it was perfect. I got back on the track and the legs felt good, relatively. At about 5 to 6, I made a decision that I had to earn some respect for myself and also finish with a decent total.

At 6am, overdrive kicked in and I sprung to life.The body felt good and it was time to havefun. The aim was to get in the 70sand maybe 80kms. The next two hours I did 11 and 12 laps and thought, umm, maybe 2 marathons. I asked Bernie Goggin how many lapsand thought yes why not.

It was disappointing to see Tim Cochrane retire with three hours to go and 186kms to his name. The word was that he was injured, but at that stage of of the race, I would have thought he would have gone for 200kms! The Aust 24hrMaster, Mick Francis ended up winning the event with 234kms. This was an Australian Personal Best for Mick.

I went through the 80km mark between 8 and 9 where I did 13 laps. By 9am I had 210 laps up which was 84kms. I then brought up another three laps before thinking yes and the body went ughh. The next two laps were a stagger, before I thought, lets have fun. There was only 20 minutes left and fun I had.

Sandra and Jordan had been feeding me over the last hour. I asked Jordan to be with me for the last five minutes just in case the body went at the end.

I remember getting the dump bag with about 8 min to go and going past there twice more. Bang the gun went off and I dropped the bag. I had done 87.73km and there was a small tear in my eye. I had given some respect back to myself. I worked out this was by best total in the last 8, 9 years.

Lessons learnt

You need a crew to do your best at track ultras.

Miles in the legs is essential

My pre taping and vaseline worked on the feet There is no point coming off when its cold and all your stuff is cold and wet…perhaps use the warm canteen area in future.

My asic walking shoes are good.

A big thanks

Belinda and Laura

Tony and Jesper. My sms motivators.

Sandra and Jordan

Brett who did the Canteen run (the quick chat we had did wonders)

Tim Erickson

Geoff Peters and Clarrie Jacks

All Coburg officials and helpers

Next on the agenda.

I will be doing the 20 mile walk at the LBG carnival in june, then the Wagga marathon in August. Then Coburg 2009.

Keep moving forward.

PS – Just got home and read Tim Erickson’s race report and provisional results. Apparently I won the Gordon Burrowes Award for the gutsiest performance by a runner or walker during the event. Thanks Coburg. I am truly humbled.

Full results and report from the race

August 1998

I had been training well for the past eight months and I was ready to hit the Coburg 24 hour race. My mindset was to pass 120km. I even went as far to put 120km on my Computer Screensaver at work and home. That’s motivation!

The car was packed and we left Adelaide in the wee,small hours of Thursday morning. Yes, I’m now living in Adelaide! It was a relatively uneventful trip and we got to Melbourne early afternoon. We put our young daughter on the aircraft that night and went back to our friend’s house in Williamstown.

On Friday we found our way to Coburg and the butterflies started to kick in. My wife (Belinda) and I picked a position for the tent and set up. We also met up with Shirley and Ron Young who set up their tent next to us.

Saturday came around and we were back at the track by 0930 in the morning.

There were 12 competitors for the Ultra Race and 4 teams in the relay race. The battle for individual honors appeared to be a tussle between Helen Stangar and Andrew Lucas, but Andrew had burnt his feet in an unfortunate accident just prior to the race.

The race also included a few Veterans. These were Cliff Young, Shirley Young, Peter Waddell and Ken Matchett. All experienced campaigners!

The other runners were Ex-Westfield runners, Peter Gray, Kevin Mansell(friend and mentor) and Bob Fickel, who was running his first Ultra in a few years. The other two runners were Bill ( chicken legs) Hicks and Gosford Walker, Frank Overton. It was good to renew old friendships and make new ones. This is the third Ultra that I have been in and it always amazes Belinda and I the community and family spirit that abounds at any Ultra. This was to be no exception.

Race time came around. The opening of the new track was completed. It was down to the last minute and the usual witty repertoire was abounding. Peter Waddell made a comment about the best man coming 12th and myself wandered if the Starter’s gun was going to shoot us all; to which Kevin suggested that I probably would want to be shot in 12 hours time.

The gun went off and we were off and running or walking. I started off at my usual 3 laps running and 5 laps walking. I went through the marathon in 5h33m and the 50km at 6h45m. This was a new Personal Best for me and things were looking pretty good.

It’s at this point I must mention Belinda. We have been married for seven years and looks after me excellently in the Ultras. Comments were passed about our gentle flirting during the race, but it helps to keep us both sane. Belinda knows what to say and when to say it. As Bev Carr said “She’s Ace!”.

The race continued and I fell into a trough for a couple of hours until Belinda said “Its up to you” and gave me the walkman with Blues Brothers( John Breit in the Westfield days) in it. That did the trick and I had a new personal best of 77.8km at the 12 hour mark. I then pushed on and set a new 50 mile personal best of 12 hours and 48 minutes. It was going great!

It was shortly after one o clock when I went ballistic for three laps and ran past everyone in the field at least once. I think Bill Hicks asked my wife what I was on! It was a combination of a couple of readily available energy drinks, which seemed to do the trick!

The clock kept turning over and I was soon back to my old plodding self. It was fun whilst it lasted! It was shortly after 5 in the morning when I set a new PB for myself in the 100km. Beating my Personal bests was definately helping my motivation.

It was at 5.30 that I had a great massage from Mike. Mike, I’m using you when I make the Colac Race. Belinda and I were both sceptical of having a massage after the fainting episode of last year, but this one worked and I was soon back on the track.

The greatest sight to an Ultra runner is the sun coming up and this year was no exception! It was at 21 hours and 35 minutes when I beat my previous 24 hour mark of 115.2km, even though I was beating up on myself and thinking that I shouldn’t be in the field if I can’t get 120km. I was soon straightened out on that one!

The laps kept ticking over and I knew that I would reach my goal of 120km. It was shortly before eleven o clock when my main goal was reached. I was over the moon, in tears and emotionally drained all at the same time..

I made it! – 120km in 24hrs)

After a hug from Belinda I sat down for ten minutes before plodding around for the last hour. I was spent and just wandered for the rest.

It was at 23.55.46 when I did my last lap. I was ready to hang around the Clubrooms for the gun, when Bob Fickel came up to me and pointed me in the right direction. I was off and in a run. The gun went off and I had completed 122.6km.

My elation was short lived though as I looked over and saw that Shirley Young had collapsed on the ground. Shirley had just completed 100 miles. This must go down as the gustiest performance of 98. after being reassured that she was OK, my wife and friend, Craig were at my side to congratulate me. It was great!

Nine runners had completed the 24 hours. It was sad that three pulled out through injury or other reasons. I’m surprised though, not more pulled out with the disgusting weather we had in the first six hours. I will always remember the sight of following Cliff into the bend during the gale and seeing him leaning at 125 degrees into the wind. Hicky and I also had a bitch about Melbourne weather at the same time.

Helen Stangar was great in winning the race with a new Australian record of 228km. She had a great battle with Andrew Lucas in the first half of the race until Andrew’s legs started to suffer. Cliffy got a great 140km plus. Kevin also chatted to me a few times during the race and helped me to get my goal. He also offered his services when I decide to do Colac! All of my fellow runners were great as we pushed towards the 24 hour mark.

This race was another great example of the spirit that exists in the Ultra community. All the crews helped each other during the race and lifted the other runners.

Thanks to the Coburg Harriers once again for putting on a great event. The lap scorers were great. Kevin Cassidy and Bev Carr also deserve a special thanks. Kev was acting as track side marshall and Bev , I think was being my crew member at the other end of the ground for a few hours. Bev, you helped to make a good event a great event. Coburg Harriers: next year you must have Portaloos ( even if you have to put the price up). Walking off to the clubrooms did get a bit difficult!

I’ve now completed three 24 hour events and improved in ever yone. Due to cost I may stick to races in SA in 99, but there are a couple of Ultras in SA and I know that I will keep improving. Ultra Running is part of my journey in life!

Phil Essam 

Adelaide 

Australia 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fHdsI7H8EE

My Bucket List:

1. Walk from Perth to Sydney
2. Have one fiction book and one non-fiction book published, and
3. Visit Tibet for a Holiday ( even under Chinese rule).

The 6 hour was at Lennox Gardens on a 2.5km circuit and was part of the ACT Walking Club winter events.  Only three of us started the 6 hour with most people opting for the smaller events! I started off well and was just over 6kms an hour. At hour 3, I dropped to just under 6kms, but by the end I had 33.75kms up for second place!  Not bad.  The feet were the only problem.  This could have been alleviated by having shoes half a size bigger.

I have decided not to head back into the ultra arena in 2012, but will build up and be ready to compete in ultras again in 2013.  My main aim will be the LBG 20 mile walk  in June next year and just try and go in as many smaller events as possible!  Time on feet will lead to improvement!

I think after my 6 hour walk next weekend, I will be going down one or two paths.  The first one is to become a fully fledged multi day solo walker who concentrates on building up for that. The second is to become a Vets Walker who concentrates on competing in the Masters Games and occasionally do an Ultra.  I know in my mind which path I wish to choose, but I think the body has to agree!

Regards

Phil

If someone does something successfully, we say, ‘look how much faith they had.’ If someone tries and fails, we say, ‘they did not have enough faith.’ But faith alone is merely one vital ingredient in a larger recipe. Along with faith there must be vision. With vision there must be imagination. With imagination we need intelligence. With intelligence must be accurate information. You have all that now and more. Use it well and you may yet find (almost) anything IS possible!

As part of the  6 hour/50km  ACT Walking Club walks on 17th September, I will be walking 6 hours for Blue September.  What is Blue September you ask?

Blue September is a campaign created to get the message out about cancer in men. It aims to raise awareness among all Australians about cancers affecting men and urges men to take preventative action by improving lifestyle choices. It is also about encouraging people to make a donation for cancer research, to help find a cure for the disease that affects so many Australian men.

 You can find out more about Blue September at  http://www.blueseptember.org.au/index.php

My fundraising page is at:  http://blueseptemberfundraising.com.au/phil_essam

If you are able to visit it and make a pledge, it would be most appreciated and will help my walking efforts on Sep 17th.

Thanks and regards.

Phil

In 1989 I decided to get into Ultra-Marathons. I became bored with the normal Marathon and decided to challenge the feat of time and distance. I was also drawn by the accomplishments of “Ordinary people doing extraordinary things” in the Westfield Run.

Early in 1990 I ran in a 12hr race in Canberra and covered 73.5km. I was more than happy with my performance. Two weeks later I ran in the Coburg 24hr race. As I was to find out later it was a bad move for a novice. I pulled out of the race after seven and a half hours and only completing 50km. Knee problems and a weak heart!

I then crewed for John Breit in the 1990 Westfield and was quite overawed by his magnificent effort. After that instead of training harder I placed Ultra-Marathon running in the “Too-hard basket” and it faded into oblivion.

During the next couple of years I married and my wife had a beautiful daughter. I also joined the computer age and started developing my writing passion. (I haven’t had anything published yet, but the “Westfield Book” will be the first). It irked me that a book on the Westfield Run had never been published. I was determined to rectify that situation when I left the Tropics.

In 1996 we were posted to RAAF Base Wagga. I started thinking about the past and realised that I wasn’t happy with walking away from Ultra Marathoning six years ago. Was I going to be one of life’s great “Gunnas” that would walk away from the hard things in life?

I started jogging again and researching the Westfield Book. Towards the end of last year I decided to resume my Ultra Career and set myself to run in the Coburg 24hr Run in 1997. I was going to be there when the Gun went off after twenty four hours and I was going to have one hundred kilometres beside my name. Harold Stephens Athletics Track was not going to own me anymore!

I started training. My main aim was to increase the mileage every week. I didn’t do any cross training, but I got a 44km six hour run and numerous half marathons under my belt. My brain was in gear and focused towards the event.

I assembled a crew that included my wife and best friend, Belinda, ex Westfield runner, John Breit( John had promised me after his 1990 run that he would return the favour one day) and mate, Shaun Chipman.

Belinda and I drove down to Melbourne the day before the race. We left our four year old, Rugrat, Laura, with best friends, Lisa and Michael for the weekend. Hopefully they would still be our best friends by the end of the weekend!

We got to the track and set up the tent. We then had a chat with Race Organiser, Gordon Burrowes. He gave us the exciting news that there would be five ex-Westfield runners in the event. They included Yiannis Kouros, Kevin Mansell, Ron Hill, Peter Gray and Helen Stangar. Was Yiannis going to beat the 300km goal? That would really be something to tell the grandchildren!

The day of the race dawned. I went for a walk to Williamstown Beach and psyched up with Tina Turner, Dead Poets Society, Chariots of Fire and Forest Gump on the walkman. We got to the track about 9 o clock and started organising ourselves. There was also going to be a 24hr relay race on which would make it more interesting.

Kevin Mansell and Ron Hill came and saw me before the race. Ron had a box full of information on the Westfield for me which was most appreciated. It was also great to meet Kevin after the help he had given me via Australia Post and Telecom.

It was now five minutes to midday and everyone was gathered around the starting line. The butterflies were now in my stomach! I relaxed myself and concentrated on the game plan of twenty minutes running and ten minutes walking. The starting gun went off and we were away.

The next three hours went by. I was moving well and had twenty four kilometres under my belt. I was getting lots of food and drinks from my great crew and was having the time of my life. It was about three o clock when I saw that a couple of other runners were starting to suffer in the warm conditions and I slowed down to a walk for the next couple of hours. I had plenty of time to get the score on the board.

The clock continued to click over. It was about five and a quarter hours when I went through the Marathon stage. I was going great! Night was starting to creep up on us and I was back into the run/walk pattern. I kept plodding on and by the six and a half hour mark I had fifty kilometres on the Board.(Yes there is a lot of cricket talk being used).

It was time for a Massage and meal break. I stopped at the Lap Scorers tent and my crew took me inside to the Massage table. I must say at this stage that my crew were magnificent during the whole twenty four hours. They looked after me during the whole race, gave me lots of food and drinks, knew what to say and knew what not to say! What more could a runner want!

Back to the story; I had a massage, the crew checked my feet and I had a lovely feed of mashed spud and peas. Half an hour later and I was back on my feet and heading out to the track. The plan was to have seventy kilometres up by midnight. I started walking again, but it wasn’t too long before I had a slow jog going.

Kouros at this stage was well on schedule to beat his own World record. The spirit and camaraderie amongst the runners was evident from the start of the race. I must particularly thank Kevin and Ron for your kind words on encouragement throughout the race, Peter Gray for walking five laps with me on the Sunday morning, all the walkers for your help, all the Ultra runners for your words of encouragement. I think at one stage everyone on and off the track were passing words of encouragement to me. Thanks!

I kept running, but unfortunately it wasn’t long, before my left foot started to hurt like anything! It happened right outside the Lap scorers tent and I was immediately reduced to a walk. John kept telling me every lap to forget the pain and focus on other areas. I think I felt like telling John where to put his pain, but I realised that he had been through ten times as much in his running career. The hours ticked by and I even started putting in the occasional lap of running.

It was just before eleven o clock at night when I brought up the seventy kilometres. It was announced over the Public Address system just past eleven that I had beaten my Personal best of seventy two kilometres. Wrong! It was seventy three and a half kilometres I had to beat. Oh well, I kept on going and it wasn’t too long before I had actually beaten my personal best. It was all unknown territory from now!

The midnight change around was effected and I had completed seventy six kilometres. Time for a another major massage break! The next hour and a half is something of a blur. I know that I fainted twice and was feeling very nauseous.

I had a massage and my crew managed to get a bit more food into me. John also suggested that I have a shower as well. I wasn’t too keen on the idea. I didn’t relish the thought of getting warm, getting cold and then having to get warm again. I was soon under the shower and YELP! It was freezing cold! My wife heard outside and told me later that she did think about whether to let me go on with the race. One of the relay runners was having a warm shower and he gave it up for me straight away. Thanks mate, if you ever read this story.

After the shower, I was dressed and sat back down to have some more feed. My feet were now a mess and there was a mild debate going on in the background. I think there were about three different methods of blister removal being discussed. I went with the padding method as recommended by the St John’s officials. My reasoning was that I had yet to experience the joys of suturing.( that joy can be left for another time) and my Mum was a St John’s member for years and I have the highest regard for their training.

I was also thinking about pulling out. I rationalised that I had already beaten one goal and I could come back another day. I looked at the time and worked out that it was half past one in the morning. I said to myself that it was time to make a decision. I had plenty of time to get the hundred kilometres up. I think I stunned everyone when I asked to be helped up and to get out on the track. I dug into my heart and got back out there.

My wife told me later that just about everyone on the track expected me to pull out. I think I amazed myself when I started limping around. John kept telling me to watch my posture and to pick up my feet. It was dam hard! I now knew what the Hot Coal Walkers go through. But their pain only lasts for twenty seconds! The next few hours were a blur. I know that I called for the Walkman and serenaded the track with a combination of U2 (Sunday Bloody Sunday), Midnight Oil( King of the Mountain) and Priscilla ( No more …….. Abba!). I was told by my wife and Glenda Mansell in daylight hours that my singing left a lot to be desired! The music helped me to pick up my pace anyway.

I came in for a ten minute break at four o clock and then a twenty minute break at six o clock. I think I needed about two kilometres an hour to bring up my hundred. I still wasn’t confident though. I had another break at quarter past seven and only need four more kilometres. It was now an obtainable goal. I got back out about seven thirty and only had ten laps to travel.

Belinda was in the lap scoring tent. Each time I went past her she would call out how many laps to go. I could almost feel her love reaching out towards me. I would have to bite my bottom lip and stop myself from crying. During those laps I was thinking a lot of things. The past was driving me on. I was even drawing on Kevin Mansell’s hero quote from one of the Westfield Runs. “I finally found my hero in life. It was me.” Ten became nine, nine became eight, eight became seven etc.

It seemed like an eternity but I was soon on the last lap. I felt like screaming for joy to the whole world. I was on the back straight and I looked next to me and Kevin Mansell was walking along side me. Kevin had sprinted around the track to join me and help me bring up my milestone. Kevin: You are a champion sportsman and champion human. If more sportsmen and women showed that humanity in the commercial sports they would be worth following again. Thanks Kev!

I crossed the hundred kilometre mark at about 8.40 am and a big cheer went up from my fantastic crew, the lapscorers and Kevin. It felt great. I had finally conquered my own body and soul. I was on top of the world! It was announced on the PA system. I kept plodding around towards our crew tent and soaked up the great feeling. I was getting congratulations from fellow runners, spectators and the few supporters that were there. I got around to our tent and immediately lied down in the car. I was going to have a sleep and get back up for the last hour .

I was lying down and could not wind down. I kept hearing the runners come past and my body was still in a state of perpetual motion. I think a few of the runners even asked if I was coming back out. It was half an hour later when I decided that it was time to keep going. We would repad my blisters and then take it lap by lap. I got down to the finish line and then headed inside to redo my feet. Unfortunately it took a bit longer than what was anticipated and the tiredness started to kick in. I was almost ready to say that enough was enough. My feet eventually got fixed. I dug into the last little bit of my energy reserves and got back out there.

I was moving very slowly when I got back out onto the track, but the time seemed to be flying. I was doing two laps at a time and having a break. It was now quarter past eleven. I got back out onto the track and kept hobbling around.

The minutes were ticking over. It felt as though a sense of relief was starting to develop over the whole track. It was now fifteen minutes to midday and John was carrying a deck chair with him. I was wondering why was he carrying a chair. The reasons soon became obvious! The whole crew joined me for my last lap. The seconds were counted down and I even started to run again. The gun went off and it felt great. John put the chair down and told me to sit. We were all hugging each other and crying. It was fantastic. I had finally achieved! 103.3km In my own mind I had finally arrived as an Ultra Marathoner. I have a lot more to learn, but the sport is going to see me around for quite a few years.

Thanks once again to my crew of Belinda, Shaun and John. I think my wife is definitely hooked on the friendship side that was so evident during the race. Shaun, you can do anything you set your mind to. John is now undergoing a Degree in Winemaking. I know that he will be a success in his new chosen vocation in life, after what he achieved in Ultra Marathoning.

I must make mention of the Walkers at this stage. They walked all the way through the race and did some incredible distances. How do you do it?

Thanks to all the Ultra runners, especially Kev and Ron. Thanks to the relay runners for your support. Thanks to the Little Athletics team. You guys and girls were great to watch. Thanks for the encouragement from everyone by the Track. Especially the official from the Little Aths team that walked with me for half a lap. Thankyou to Gordon Burrowes. It was a great event. Thanks Yiannis for your kind words after the race. I’m sorry that you did not get the three hundred kilometres. I hope that I am privileged enough to be on the same track when you do break the Barrier