The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run – history’s longest and largest torch relay – will this year see an international team of runners from over 50 countries carry the Peace Torch 15,500 km right around the circumference of Australia. With the epic journey commencing the very next day, members of the Peace Run team were on hand with the Peace Torch at the Sri Chinmoy “Coleman Clip”, with some of the team using the race as a ‘warm up’ for the big miles ahead.

Follow the around-Australia Peace Run on Instagram and via daily reports on the Peace Run website.

With such positive feelings in the air, the sunshine responded – perhaps a little too eagerly – with the most glorious day anyone can remember for this season-opening race. A record field assembled, and tested the burger production crew, alongside the watermelon-chopping champ, to the full extent of their prowess.

With no mud and little dust around, conditions underfoot were optimum for fast times, and the pointy end of the field did not disappoint.

The 10km runners toiled the longest under the sun’s full force, and had the steepest climbs to surmount, so deserve top billing in our event chronicle. The women’s 10km race was won by the impressive Sarah King in 49:22, from Vanessa Bennett (49:56) and Julie Murphy (51:19). The evergreen Sam Reinhardt took out the F50-59 category in 59:11, in a close race from Natalie Wood’s 59:25. There was an even closer tussle in the F50-59, where Kerrie Tanner (1:03:15) barely edged out Kim Greaves’ effort of 1:03:17.

Over in the men’s 10km race, Daniel Dreher strode out ahead as though the elevation profile was a flat line, finishing with a front-running 39:23, ahead of Daniel Carson’s 42:08 and Matthew Maundrell with 44:15. Another evergreen contender, Ben Crabb took out the M50-59 category in a jaunty 47:09, barely keeping David Sitsky’s 47:16 at bay, with Aston Duncan not far adrift with 47:56. Rodney Smith was the only M60-69 to crack the one hour barrier in 59:27; while Eric Wainwright proved the adage that “You have to be in it, to win it!” by taking out the M70+ in 1:44:14.

Kodi Clarkson has held the course record for the 5km at the “Coleman Clip” for the past 4 years, and lowered it each time he has run. Today’s 18:23 marked another transcendence from last year’s record. Not that Kodi is getting old – but like a good wine, he continues to improve with every year. The race then for 2nd place saw Patrick Maundrell’s 21:14 too good for Daniel McLennan’s finish of 21:31.

Lisa Winssinger had the best of the women’s 5km race, running unchallenged for a fine return of 23:48, from Wilma Huneke’s 25:23 and Rui Bluett-Jones with 25:48. The Female 50-59 category belonged to Anita Scherrer with a glorious run of 28:10; while Florian Geier took out the M50-59 with an impressive 25:56.

The 5km 60-69 category saw records tumble in both male and female divisions. Mark Duncanson lowered the time and raised the standard in the M60-69 to a new mark of 25:47; while Jie Zhou likewise shone in the F60-69 with an impressive 30:49. Peter Allen meanwhile was the winner of the Male 70 and Overs with 50:26.

The shortest race of the day (the 2-lap 2.2km) also saw a new record set, with Owen Isaacs setting about the course with zeal and zip to record a new all-comers fastest time of 8:25. Next home was Girls Under 13 winner, Sara Thompson with 9:19, ahead of Boys Under 13 winner and runner up, Felix Botticio’s 9:25 and Benjamin Caldow’s 9:29. Then came Boys Under 17 winner, James Gao in 9:47, just edging out Girls under 13 runner-up Samantha Ramboer with 9:49, then Huon Cooper (Boys U13) with 9:53, and Banjo Bluett-Jones (Girls U13) in 10:12.

The next race in the Series will be the “Stromlo Strides” on Sunday 11 May!

Early Sunday rise was well worth it and richly rewarded by the Murrumbidgee River Nature Reserve which welcomed us with its stunning flora covered with frost and reflecting sunrise beams in white protective and crispy layers of icy water. The air was filled with tranquillity and local animal habitants such as birds and kangaroos seemed to feel at ease as we started to prepare for our 2km, 8km and 20km race. Birds sensed opportunity for a free buffet which consisted of delicious lentil burgers, watermelon and bananas being prepared for all runners after having accomplished their races. Initially kangaroos were curiously glancing at us but they soon realised that we were too focused on setting up the race so they calmly continued eating their grassy breakfast.

There were hardly any people at this hour of the morning, however, soon the park started to buzz with excitement of arriving race participants and also members of the public. Pine Island offers its beautiful trails to walkers, runners and mountain bikers. The nearby Murrumbidgee River, which runners run along, added even more richness, variety, beauty and harmony into the whole atmosphere. Water cascades and surrounding trees, especially pines, offered their calmness and were emanating peace which we all hugely need.

26 people participated in 2km run. 5 Boys under 13. 5 Males 17 and over. 11 Girls under 13, 2 Girls under 17 and 3 Female 17 and over.

Felix Botticchio won in boys under 13 category in 9:10, followed by Liam Whitehead in 10:01 and Angus Botticchio in 10:02.

Rohan Tankey led in Male 17 and over category in a time of 10:09. Second place was granted to John Astridge in 11:23 and third place went to Allister Botticchio in 13:25.

Saleena Ramboer won in Girls under 13 category in 8:26, followd by Annika Astridge in 09:01 and Samantha Romboer in 09.38.

Tara Holmes ran a superb 08:15 (a new course record) in Girls under 17 and Hannah Nockels finished in 10:01.

Female 17 and Over were led by Laura Ramboer in 08:40 – another course record time for her category. Second place went to Kristina Whitehead in 15:04 and Hannah Fabros took third place in 17:48.

The 8km run gathered 147 runners and out of 147 runners there were 43 Male under 50, 16 Male between 50-59, 3 Male in 60-69 category and 4 in 70 and Over. 63 Females in Under 50 category,  13 Females in 50-59 and 5 in 60-69.

Kodi Clarkson led the Male under 50, breaking his own course record with 28:45. Patrick Clark was right behind in 29:36 and Thomas Naden finished in 32:43.

In 50-59 Male category, Aston Duncan won in 34:36, followed by Ian Naden in 38:32 and Andrew Dempster in 40:16.

Richard Honey won Male 60-69 in 43:50, Graeme Smyth took second place in 47:27 and Chris Mill received third place in 55:36.

Male 70 and Over was led by John Kennedy on 50:35, followed by Rod Harrod in 54:37 and Eric Wainwright in 1:06:44.

Sarah King won Female Under 50 in 36:08 and Prue Davies ran very close behind in 36:30, followed by Lisa Winssinger in 37:45.

Shiree Yap led Female 50-59 category in 42:18. Michele Legge took second place in 46:38 and Natasha Newman took third place in 47:29.

Alice Jones won Female 60-69 in 54:16, Jennifer Rankine received second place in 56:54 and Judith Bibo finished third in 1:05:12.

The most popular run turned out to be 20 km run which welcomed 172 runners at the start line. There were 74 Male under 50, 25 Male in 50-59 category, 5 Male in 60-69 category and 2 in Male 70 and Over.

50 Female under 50 decided to participate in 20km run. 13 Female in 50-59, 2 Female in 60-69 and 1 in 70 and Over category.

Brayden Clews-Proctor achieved an astonishing result of 1:16:44, followed by 1:17:12 which went to Brandon Suter. Daniel Carson ran just behind the two leaders in 1:18:57.

Glen Robinson won in Male 50-59 in 1:28:23. Second place went to Ben Crabb in 1:30:25 and Tony Hrstic tool third place in 1:39:42.

Mark Duncanson ran in fantastic time of 1:43:21 in Male 60-69 category. Ian Prosser closely followed him in 1:44:26 and Stephen Graham finished in 2:01:29.

Peter Clarke came first in Male 70 and Over in a superb new course record time of 1:59:20 and Trevor Jacobs in 2:06:24.

Sarah Parkins won Female Under 50 in fantastic 1:32:15. Grace Crane took second place in 1:38:29 and Keira Germech came third in 1:39:38.

Female 50-59 was led by Natalie Wood in an amazing 1:48:19. Narelle Smyth came second in 1:56:01 and Kim Greaves finished third in 1:56:24.

Pam Muston finished in 2:08:32 winning in Female 60-69 and Kerri Gisik came second in 2:35:56.

Diana Schneider won in 70 and Over in another new record time of 2:39:02.

All runners deserve a big applause and congratulations for their running efforts and running results in such a challenging course which is uneven, hilly, bushy and muddy. To achieve such astonishing results on a difficult trail run is an admirable achievement. Runners celebrated their hard work with nutritious and well deserved veggie burgers and fruits and received their medals at the end of each race category.

We hope to see you at the next race, the “Gungahlin Gallop” in July and we wish you happy running!

Mount Stromlo: Location of the ANU's Observatory, favoured by mountain bikers, and home to countless ducks, cockatoos, and inquisitive kangaroos. Rain was forecast. Lots of it. So when our crew arrived to set up, we were relieved to find it not raining. “Who knows? Perhaps it will be a nice day” we said to ourselves. The ground was sodden from the previous day's rain, with large puddles at the edge of the grassy Robert de Castella Cross Country Running Track which was our start and finish point.

The rain held off, but we faced other difficulties. The megaphone wasn't working! I set it down, it began to make a low, discontented crackling sound. This was the only noise it made all day. So as a result, I had to shout a lot.

Then a stiff, cold breeze picked up. Our finish arch began to wave about in an ungainly manner. Concerned that its flailing about might harm the race clock, or a passerby, we took it down as soon as the races all started.

In the 2km race, Tara Holmes (under 17) took the line honours overall in 7:31, and set a new Girls Under 17 course record in the process. Felix Botticchio (under 13) was fastest boy in 08:42.

Further course records tumbled in the 6.3km race. Kodi Clarkson was the men’s winner, breaking his own course record from last year, with his super-swift 21:40.  Sarah King also lowered the women's record, winning the race in a fine 26:33, while Shiree Yap busted the F50-59 previous best time with her fleet-of-foot 31:26.

The 15.4km race amongst the men was a reprise of the Cooleman Clip, with Bradon Suter (58:44) setting a new men’s best time, and edging out Brayden Clews-Proctor (59:06) for first place – though this time by a slimmer margin than in Race 1 of the Series. Ian Prosser in the M60-69 also bested the age group record for this course with his winning 1:18:13.

Sarah Parkins was the fastest woman in the 15.4km with 1:10:25. Special mention to all our over 70 finishers: Peter Allen and John Harding in the 6.3km race, and Peter Clarke, John Kennedy and Diana Schneider in the 15.4km.

And thanks and congratulations to all the mothers who celebrated Mother's Day with us at the Stromlo Strides.

The sense that it might turn out to be a special day today was confirmed during the set-up at Hall Showgrounds when, during a slight lifting of the fog, a “cloud bow” loomed over the field. Never seen one? Look it up – also known as a fogbow or ghost rainbow… (see pics in the event photo album).

One moment, we were swathed in fog, then as soon as the ghost rainbow raised its magic wand, the remainder of the event bathed in bright sunshine. The races were all super-fast up front, with several course records tumbling faster than the descent from One Tree Hill.

Saleena Ramboer has been the star of the shorter races all season – from the Girls Under 13 category, Saleena won 4 of the 5 races OUTRIGHT (in the Ainslie Amble, she placed second outright), and smashed her age category record also in 4 of the 5 events. Saleena again showed a clean pair of heels to the field today, winning (and setting another record) in 9:42.

Next home in the 2.2km race was Boys Under 13 winner, Noah Grey in 11:14, from Male 17 and Over winner Rohan Tankey with 11:24. Then there was a close finish for 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Boys Under 13 between Thomas Jowitt (11:48) and James MacFarlane (11:50), with Liam Whitehead right behind in 11:51. Samantha Ramboer was next fastest behind her sister in the Girls Under 13 with 12:11, ahead of Madeline Gloede in 12:47; while Sian Jowitt took 1st place in the Female 17 and Over with 17:13.

15-year-old Kodi Clarkson was shadowed for the entire 10km run up One Tree Hill and return, by 14-year-old Patrick Clark from Warri, the two young guns both beating the old course record, their blistering 39:32 (for Kodi) and 39:46 (for Patrick) the first times the 40-minute barrier has ever been beaten on this daunting course. They commanded a full 4 minute lead on 3rd placed Kieran Wilson’s 43:57. Sarah King ran strongly to claim 1st prize in the women’s 10km with 49:31, from Laura Ramboer (yes, she is Saleena and Samantha’s mum) in 50:20 and Lacey Wilson in 51:46.

In a fast M50-59 field, Bruce Jenkins took the honours in 49:08, from Andrew Dempster’s 50:15 and Steve Richardson with 50:57. Sam Reinhardt won the F50-59 with a fine run of 56:23, though not far ahead of Kim Kennedy in 56:55 ahead of Cindy Raikabula with 1:11:07. Elizabeth Simpson continued her dominant season in narrowly missing her own course record from 3 years ago in the F60-69 with 59:30, from Razz Wilkins with 1:11:15 and Mira Dumancic’s 1:20:29. Across in the M60-69, Kim Houghton showed he is well and truly back on track to cross the line first with 56:02, ahead of John Woollard’s 56:45, and Colin Thomson in 1:03:11. Trevor Jacobs meanwhile, in the Male 70 and Over, set another course record to add to his still-standing record in the M60-69 in the same event, this time breaking the one-hour mark, running 58:31 to take the category from David Baussmann with 1:11:06, and John Harding’s all-walked 2:12:34.

The 31km course is tougher than it looks. Every year, this one yields multiple “never again!”s at the finish line – yet somehow, they keep returning for another crack. Because it is, after all, a lovely trail and we do love a challenge, don’t we?

The field was led strongly from the front, with both women’s and men’s course records surrendering to the pace. Marnie Ponton was in her own class in the women’s race, searing a new record time of 2:35:01 and placing 11th overall. Next home for the women were Allie Corripio in 2:48:15 and 3rd placed Jordan Anderson with 2:54:48. In the men’s race, Daniel Carson looked almost effortless in slicing 5 minutes off the existing record with his master-class 2:08:33. Max Taylor (2:12:23) also dipped under the old record; while 3rd placed Alex Dreyer’s 2:14:24 would have been the 2nd fastest time ever, just last year.

Andrew Leigh MP, Federal Member for Fenner, ran a quick patrol along the northern border of his electorate, to win the M50-59 in an impressive 2:49:57, ahead of Wayne Strudwick’s 2:59:50 and Hayden Price’s 3:24:51. In the F50-59, Nicole Siddon took the main prize with 3:28:41, from 2nd placed Anita Scherrer in 3:31:45, with Debbie Maher filling the 3rd spot in 3:45:41.

Pam Muston, of Kowen Forest trail running fame, meanwhile broke another of her own records (set 3 years earlier) in the F60-69 with an amazing 3:21:28, from Julia Mitchell with 4:00:39, ahead of Jane Hutt in 4:02:14. Over on the males side, Mark Duncanson was the first M60-69 ever to run under 3 hours, setting a focussed and fantastic new best time of 2:56:52, winning from Craig Wisdom (3:12:49) and Rodney Smith (3:20:24).

THE SERIES POINTSCORE CHAMPIONSHIP

Having been scheduled in 2020, and then 2021, and then 2022, this was the first year of the Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Pointscore Championship, with today’s Series Finale, proving decisive in several categories. Trophies were presented to the top 3 placed runners in each age group – Under 50, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and Over.

With equal points awarded in both the middle and long distance races for the top 10 placings (from 10 points for 1st, down to 1 point for 10th) at each event, the pointscore competition proved a tactical challenge, with runners gauging their personal strengths against the relative depth of field participating in each distance. Some opted to run only middle or only longer distance races for the whole season, while others chopped and changed according to which distance might give them an advantage on a given day.

MALE 70 AND OVER – Long Live the King! Trevor Jacobs was superlative, not only winning every race of the Series for a maximum 50 possible points – he also set a new course record in every race! Now that there is a Series point score, perhaps all times across a Series could also be tallied up for a Series course record? 2nd place in this category went to John Harding, with 42 points. Formerly one of Canberra’s best marathon runners, John is now the quintessential tortoise, walking every single event and taking thousands of photos of runners en route. Peter Badowski only participated in 2 races, winning them both, but not meeting the minimum requirement of 3 races to qualify for a Series award.

FEMALE 70 AND OVER – with no Females 70 and Over participating in the minimum of 3 races to qualify for a Series award, we hope that Bobby Aberbethy, Julie Bell and Maria White, who all participated in the “Ainslie Amble”, will be inspired to join more events next year.

MALE 60-69 – after the penultimate “Tuggeranong Trot”, Jon Schol and Mark Duncanson were locked on 37 points apiece, and with both lining up for the 31km today, the Championship became a match race. Jon took off like a bullet but Mark had a plan and ran a superbly controlled race to claim a fantastic course record and convincingly claim the overall prize with 47 points, with Jon settling for 2nd in the Series from 44 points. The consistent John Wollard took 3rd with 37 points. All 3 winners completed all 5 of the races in the Series. Honourable mention to Kim Houghton, who missed 2 races mid-Series following an horrific encounter with an e-scooter, but came back to win his final 2 outings in the middle distance, finishing with 28 points from 3 starts.

FEMALE 60-69 – Long Live the Queen! Elizabeth Simpson scored a perfect 50 points from 5 races, winning every middle distance of the Series. Perhaps the only reason Elizabeth didn’t match Trevor Jacob’s amazing feat of breaking every course record was that she already holds most of them from previous outings! 2nd place in the Championship goes to another sensational Queen of the sport, Pam Muston, who won all 4 long distance races that she contested, to take 40 points from 4 starts. While Judith Bibo and Razz Wilkins both finished with 34 points, the fine print revealed Judith to be the winner of 3rd place as she had participated in all 5 races. Canberra is certainly blessed with some amazing role models among our female runners of all ages.

MALE 50-59 – this category was dominated by middle distance runners, Andrew Dempster finely matched with Bruce Jenkins, trading places throughout the Series. Bruce won the 1st race and the last, but it was Andrew’s fine form through the middle of the Series, winning 3 races on the trot (including The Trot), to take the Championship with 48 points (from a possible 50) to Bruce’s 46. 3rd placing fell to the consistent Paul Wood, who just pipped Hayden Price by one point – 39 to 38.

FEMALE 50-59 – Kym Kennedy was superb, motoring with one win and 5 second placings gaining her 46 points across the Series from a possible 50. 2nd placed Leanne Haughton, with 30 points, again proved the value of participating in every race (Kym and Leanne were the only 2 runners in this category to present at all 5 starts), while 3rd spot was taken by Alanna Grant with 28 points from 4 races.

MALE UNDER 50 – the youngster men’s category featured a constant tussle between long and middle distance, with 1st and 3rd going to seasoned long distance runners, while 2nd and 4th places were taken by middle distance teenagers. Only 3 points separated the top 4 placings – 41, 40, 39, 38… Scott Cummins proved the ultimate “Mr Consistency” by taking this most competitive category despite winning only one race of the Series – his 41 points coming from one 1st place, one 2nd, two 3rds and one 5th place (today). The most eye-catching running of the Series came from 2nd-placed Kodi Clarkson, who not only won all 4 races he entered (all middle distance) – he also set a new course record in every single event, portending a very bright future indeed. Rowan Lewis proved another super-consistent performer, his 39 points for 3rd in the Series, accruing from two 2nd placings and three 4ths. A special mention also to Xavier Quispes, who was leading the Series after 4 races, but took ill the day before this final race and almost didn’t make it to the start line. After one win and three 2nd placings, the punishing One Tree Hill saw Xavier slip back to a brave 10th placing today, to finish just one point away from a deserved Series trophy.

FEMALE UNDER 50 – unlike the men’s table which saw the long and middle distances equally represented, the Women Under 50’s final placings were dominated by middle distance runners in part because their participation rate was higher than the best female long distance performers. The top placings could not have been closer. With Sarah King winning the final round today, Laura Ramboer had to come second to secure her overall Series win, and that’s exactly where she finished, to take the Series win by one point, 43 to Sarah’s 42 points, both women running superbly in all conditions, all Series. Lacey Wilson, travelling for each of the 5 races from East Jindabyne, took the final podium placing with 39 points, coming from two 2rd placings, two 3rds and one 6th.

Our appreciation and thanks to all volunteers, medical staff, to Martin Flyer and his timing assistants, to officials from ACT Government, to My Rainbow-Dreams café for catering and most especially, to all runners who took part across another fantastic Series in 2023.

 

Published results are provisional. Please advise any errors or anomalies to [email protected]

*************

Susan Marshall reports, from amid the 16.4km field: This morning’s race took place on two of Canberra’s tallest mountains, our pride and joy. Ainslie, the pride – overlooking the lake, parliament and carefully laid lines of the city. Majura, the joy – wild and natural, steep faces preserving a hidden origin, icy and secretive in winter, blooming and teeming in summer. The course journeyed along lesser travelled paths into spots of shy and secret beauty living separate and unbeknownst to many.

The army taking on the 16.4km course was 170 strong. It broke away at the start like a herd of stallions. The long wide stretch of the first kilometre seeded the field. We gathered into small families, passing and being passed as our strengths and weaknesses played out upon the terrain. The first single trail geared slowly up Mount Ainslie. Near the summit the ascent steepened. As though slamming into a brick wall our speed was knocked back. Hunched with arms on thigh bones, levering ourselves upward, we eventually crested the rise. The toughest part of the course was over, but reserves were relinquished and there was much to come.

Caution is advisable descending. With rocks, roots, and overgrowth cutting visibility concentration was imperative, but still we chased each other down the hill. With no time to think, eyes and attention locked on the path, we took ground where we could. Accelerating on small rises and braking on descents we bounced, trudged, ran and walked up the second mountain. Finally down, the Hackett Houses track deceived with an air of civility, twists and turns concealing its long road to the finish line. This was the last opportunity to advance in the field, spurring on any contenders not completely spent, the wide trail an open book for the final sprint.

*************

Congratulations and gratitude to all who participated in any way on this superb morning – runners, helpers, officials and spectators/wellwishers. Any memorable experience is always a team effort, relying equally on the input of all involved, no matter their role.

Particular commendation to all who set new course records today:

* Petra Mossop took 3 minutes off her own fantastic time from last year, perfectly embodying the spirit of self-transcendence to win the 16.4km race in 1:15:54
* Fleur Flanery showed she has not been hiding under a bush, and is enjoying superb form with her new F50-59 best time for the 16.4km of 1:26:29
* Pam Muston made it a clean sweep of records today for the women’s 16.4km age divisions, besting her own course record with a dazzling 1:37:10
* Ian Prosser took away one of Trevor Jacobs’ numerous records, setting a new M60-69 fastest time for the 16.4km of 1:28:13
* Trevor Jacobs made up for one lost record by adding a new one for the M70+ in the 8.3km race, with 49:17
* Elizabeth Simpson was the only female to eclipse their age group records in the 8.3km, setting an express new best of 53:11
* Thomas Dempster’s 8:22 is now the fastest time for the Boys Under 17 category in the 2km
* Rohan Tankey established a new record of 9:27 for the Male 17 and Over in the 2km

With a wet, muddy, freezing and unpleasant day forecast for today’s event, pre-race registrations were understandably low. The brave or unwitting signed up regardless, the cautious and unsure waited in the wings, reserving their right enter to on the day or not at all.  We arrived at Chapman oval expecting those fence sitters to relish in the warmth of their houses and cozy beds but to the contrary…. Half of Canberra looked at the rain lashing at their windows, the dark clouds drifting in double time against the sky and decided: “Let’s go.” Unexpected lines of people stood their ground against the wind waiting to register. Our generally ample supply of three pens was passed around by the crowd signing up to charge into the hills and return washed in mud.

The intermittent rain provided an arbitrary antidote to the clear and obvious evidence of footsteps stirring the wet earth. Many returned spattered in it, others looked spotless. They all ran straight for the drinks table where the unfilled cups had acquired an unasked for centimetre of water. Even swimming makes you thirsty!

Despite – or because of? – the less than ideal conditions, several course records fell in each distance, including:

* 10km Male Under 50 – Tom Driscoll surpassed Matt Robbie’s formidable time with his 38:52, to win by a full 3 minutes
* 10km Female Under 50 – Petra Mossop said “I can do better than that!” and won by over 5 minutes, to transcend her own superb record with 45:12
* 10km Female 50-59 – Kym Kennedy 57:09
* 5km Male Under 50 – Kodi Clarkson bettered his own record with 19:12
* 5km Male 70 and Over – Trevor Jacobs 28:52
* 2.2km Girls Under 13 – Saleena Ramboer not only set a new record, she won the race outright with 9:28
* 2.2km Girls Under 17 – Elliott Burgess took 2nd outright with 10:49
* 2.2km Male 17 and Over – Rohan Tankey 11:08

This was but the first of a whole series of trail races for this year. Already the runners have shown their spirit to transcend not just their own capacities but what would have been some very acceptable excuses and reasons to have a spa day. We would promise the other races won’t be like this, but it seems many runners actually liked it. It brings a joy - the knowledge we have the strength to match a situation. So the weather we can invite to do as it pleases, because we are confident in our ability to overcome inclement conditions.

After two rainy trail runs in a row, it was a real blessing to wake up to perfect weather for the Sri Chinmoy “Tuggeranong Trot”. Clear, calm and glorious. Chilly to start with, but climbing to a balmy 12 degrees. The recent rains did make for a boggy course, though the runners crossing the finish line looked less muddy than expected.

In the 8km event, Kodi Clarkson broke the course record by 6 seconds, finishing in 29:33. New course records were also set in the M50-59 by Andrew Tully (32:30); the M60-69 by Colin Pearce (37:57); the M70+ by Trevor Jacobs (44:49) and the F60-69 by Elizabeth Simpson (43:02). Nicole Compton was first woman overall, with a time of 39:59.

In the 20km, Adrian Gebers won the men's race in1:24:28. Elizabeth Humphries didn't break her own course record, but was first place amongst the women in 1:34:50. Meanwhile, Kym Kennedy slashed the F50-59 course record with a new mark of 1:41:41.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, and we hope to see you at the final run of our trail series this year, the Sri Chinmoy "Gungahlin Gallop” on 17 July.

 

The steadfastness of the appointed hour made us all its innocent victims. It clocked a steady pace alongside nature’s indecipherable calendar and then, at 10am, 15 May (Race Start) struck upon her blowing wind and skies of rain. The rain sat on our jackets, settled into our hair and clung onto our skin even as we tried to shake it off. We hid from it under the tents but it swam in along the ground, lapping around our feet and equipment like a child fascinated by these adult games. It made heroes out of us all. Although we grasped at the thin shelter of the race gazebos where possible, as soon as the starter called time, none remained there.

The kangaroos stood mute as the pack stampeded onto the quiet morning - it too hiding from the weather, wet grass dampening the steps of the 250 runners: a mute carnival,  travelling zoo for hiding eyes. Their wet fur looked soggy, yet relief unavailable, hope resting on prior met expectations of the sun coming back at some stage, to dry the land and heat the ground.

Small herds of children from athletics groups bombed the course, under stricter compulsion of parental authority, who insisted that the goal and the method yield not to the inflicting inconvenience of wet weather.

“So inspirational,” applauded Katarina at the first turn. For while the runners at that point may have been dwelling on the unwritten script of miles to come, we on the sidelines were impressed by what they had written on the first page -  begin.

Stationed at the finish line barbecue, preparing to offer prize of burger to those who made it home, we played tug of war with the cold air that sucked at the fire, whisking away it’s heat, secure in it’s claim to it’s distant other half. The runners collected their burgers and ran. Instead of relishing glory on the grass, they took off urgently home to replay their memory behind the secure door of a hot shower and warm clothing.

Feat of the day award was given conjointly to two runners who independently missed the 6.3km turn off, completing the 15.4k course in mounting comprehension of their error. Although this is only the second year’s official staging of the event, setting new course records under the wet conditions presents the determination of those athletes, and new records were set in 13 out of 22 categories.

And so the Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series for 2021 draws to a close, with remarkably all 5 races – from April to July – taking place as scheduled. The “Gungahlin Gallop”, as the finale, is the longest and most demanding of all the routes of the Series, and therefore perhaps also the most rewarding.

The 6th running of this event, staged from the historical Hall Showgrounds, did not disappoint.

Despite a fair soaking in recent weeks, the course was not as muddy or slippery as might have been expected, with most runners returning from their outing with legs bespattered, rather than besmeared top to toe in mud. Midwinter sunshine was celebrated for whole minutes at a time, by runners along the ridge and supporters huddled around the finish area at the Showground.

The marquee 31km race saw stirling outright wins from an impressive Ellen Bradley (2:48:37) and Jonathan Fearn (2:19:12). Yet the headline performances of the day came in the 50-59 age group for both the Female and Male races. Fleur Flanery celebrated a return to racing with a searing new F50-59 record of 2:53:26 (and 2nd overall); while Andrew Tully continued the phenomenal form which has seen him as the outstanding performer of the Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series for 2021, with a fine new M50-59 course record of 2:28:51. Aaron Smith shadowed Jonathan Fearn in the men’s race, to place 2nd with a rewarding 2:19:58, with Tom Banks claiming 3rd in 2:21:14; while strong runs from Bernie Connors (3:02:04) and Susan Marshall (3:04:06) populated the podium in the women’s long race. Kym Kennedy took 2nd in the F50-59 with her 3:23:01, from 3rd placed Sarah Fien in 3:30:41; while Wayne Strudwick was runner-up in the M50-59 with 2:42:46, from Stephen Graham’s 3:07:36. Michael Sullivan was fastest in the M60-69 with a solid 3:10:24, from Trevor Jacobs’ 3:30:31 and Paul Newall who pushed hard around the oval lap to break the 4 hour barrier and earn 3:59:52.

The men’s 10km race saw records fall in the Open and 50-59 categories. The flying Daniel Carson eclipsed all previous times over the uphill-downhill challenge with his stellar 40:22. Adrian Sheppard ran 5th outright in breasting the tape with a new M50-59 best time of 44:54. Brynn Berg claimed 2nd in the Male Under 50 with 41:13, with Ryan Hawkins in 3rd (44:06); while Thor Diesendorf took out 2nd in the M50-59 with 48:05, from Paul Wood clocking 53:09. David Jarvis was fastest in the M60-69 to win in 1:03:15, from Nicolas Bendeli (1:13:35) and John Harding (2:03:41); while Jim White continued his excellent form to take out the M70+ with a 1:09:47. The women’s 10km race was won by Matilda Stevenson in 49:26, from a fast-finishing Monique Andrea (50:02), ahead of Keira Banks in 52:00. The F50-59 was again won by Nicole Havranek, another consistent star of this series, in 1:03:46, from Sarah Boyd (1:08:00) and Alison Alexander (1:16:30); while Alli Clark claimed the premier prize among the F60-69 in 1:10:26 from 2nd placed Carol Harding (1:10:53) and Jennifer Sullivan (1:16:48). Julie Bell took out the F70+ cohort, completing the course in 1:33:56.

Aren Paff won the 2.2km shorter race from the Boys Under 13 category in 11:11, just ahead of Liam White (11:13) from the Male 17 and Over (a new age group record), and Jame Gao (11:49), then Helmi El Roubi (12:10). The top 3 Under 13 Girls finished ahead of all of the 17 and Over Female contestants, with Emily Huynh taking the main prize in 13:24, from Jocelyn El Roubi (13:58) and Hanalei Reid-Bridges (16:58). The F17+ was won in 17:10 by Melissa Radford.

Gratitude to all involved in the staging of this successful, challenging and most enjoyable Series :-)