Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic 2007 Update

Important event information for all competitors in this thrilling race-adventure...

Update Tuesday 13 March 2007

Welcome to the 3rd annual Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic, to be staged this Sunday 18 March. Participation is up from last year with 10 Solo Males, 2 Solo Females and 50 Teams already entered.

Due to several late changes to the course and conditions, we ask all competitors to PLEASE read the following instructions thoroughly and carefully.

New Start Time: the race will commence at North Kalkite Boat Ramp in 2 waves: Solo Athletes will start at 0645 (15 minutes earlier than advertised) and Teams will follow 10 minutes later at 0655.

The Course: thanks to all the recent rain the surrounding countryside is lush and beaming bright green. The run and bike courses are looking a treat, with the water a dream to swim in.

Third MTB Course: We apologise for publishing an incorrect distance for MTB 3. The measured distance from Sawpit Creek to Horseshoe Bay is 42.8 kms. The change was forced because we are no longer permitted to ride through the Jindabyne Pumping Station for security reasons. The new course is considerably tougher than in previous years, mostly on account of the climb out of the Snowy River - 500 vertical metres in 6 kms! Take special care on the descent from Botherum Plain as the track has some deep ruts. Please read the revised course description carefully and be sure to take adequate fluids and energy foods to sustain you through this long and taxing ride as there will be only one drink station on this course (after crossing the Snowy River, at about half way).

Safety: all runners and mountain bikers are urged to carry mobile phones with them, and program in our race HQ number: (0404) 071-327.

Lake Level: Lake Jindabyne is extremely low, presently holding 48% capacity (last year the lake was at 60% capacity). Several additional islands have appeared, and quite a few snags and trees are protruding from the surface or lying just below. Swimmers and paddlers will need to be alert at all times to the potential of obstacles on or just below the surface. Transitions will be positioned as close as practicable to the water's edge, but paddlers and swimmers can expect a longer-than-usual jog to and from the water and the timing station.

Driving and Parking: DO NOT be tempted to drive or park too close to the water's edge! Because this area is normally deep under water, in some areas there is deep mud lying just below the sandy surface. Be warned!

Change of Transition: Due to the low water level, the final transition from Paddle 3 to Run 3 has been moved from Wollondibby Inlet to the beach adjacent to the Sailing Club on Kosciuszko Rd at Widows Inlet (opposite the intersection with the Alpine Way), next to the Snowliner Caravan Park. Thus the final paddle is about 500 metres longer, and the final run 1 km shorter.

Water Temperature: The average temperature in Lake Jindabyne last week was 21C. Therefore wetsuits will be permitted for all swimming legs. The water is very clean and clear.

Portages Permitted: paddlers are entitled to take the most direct route from start to finish of their courses, assuming a normal water level. Where new islands and promontories might have appeared due to low water level, paddlers may elect to port their craft (unassisted) across the new land rather than paddle around. This applies mostly to the first paddle course, and does NOT include land above the high water mark. Paddlers are advised to make a reconnaissance of this course prior to the race.

PFDs Required: it is a race rule that PFDs be worn by all paddlers.

New Cut-Off Times: due to time restrictions on RTA traffic controls at Thredbo River and on Kosciuszko Rd between Sawpit Creek and Guthega Rd; the longer and more arduous MTB 3 ride; and time restraints on SES and other helpers staying on the water, new and more stringent cut-off times will be applied to all legs of the race. The revised cut-off times are:

Swim 1 - 0735; Paddle 1 - 0850; Run 1 - 0945; MTB 1 - 1045; Swim 2 - 1140; Paddle 2 - 1225; MTB 2 - 1305; Run 2 - 1440; MTB 3 - 1725; Swim 3 - 1800; Paddle 3 - 1925; Run 3 - 2000

Any Solo Athlete who has not started any given leg by the cut-off time for the previous leg may not be allowed to continue. In the event that a team member fails to complete his or her leg before the cut-off time, another team member will be permitted to start the next leg at that time. In this case, all ensuing team members' split times will be recorded, but the team will be recorded as a DNF, ineligible for any awards. Any athlete starting Run3, the final run leg after 1900 must be accompanied by his or her helper or team-mate with a torch.

Optional Waterfall Loop: an additional cut-off will be applied on Run2 at Sawpit Creek at the start of the Waterfall Loop. Solo athletes who feel they may not meet later cut-off times may elect to miss the 6 km Waterfall Loop and proceed directly to the transition to MTB3 at the Sawpit Creek Education Centre. This leg would then have no split time recorded and the athlete would officially be recorded as a DNF, but would be allowed to continue with the remaining legs. Any runner who does not reach the beginning of the Waterfall Loop at Sawpit Creek by 1400 will not be allowed to proceed on the Waterfall Loop, and will automatically be directed to the transition. Assuming he or she reaches the transition by 1440, he or she will be permitted to continue onto MTB3.

Accommodation and Pasta Feast Offer:

The Jindabyne Sport and Recreation centre is offering all competitors and their friends/supporters some great deals.

Pre Event Pasta Feast:
â€¢ $16 per person.
â€¢ Delicious and all you can eat.
â€¢ Includes salad and a desert.
* Food will be available for self service on Saturday night between 6:30 and 7:30pm at the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation dining hall.

Accommodation
â€¢ Friday and Saturday night Accommodation, including the pasta feast on Saturday night - from only $55.00 total per person!
â€¢ Saturday night accommodation including the pasta feast - From only $35.00 total per person!

**** Bookings for accommodation and for the pasta feast are essential. To book, please email to [email protected] prior to 10am on Thursday 15th March. You will then receive a phone call to finalise the booking.

Bike Parts and Repairs: sadly our event sponsor, "Bike + Board" is no longer trading. However "Sacred Ride" will be open all weekend to attend to your emergency needs. Phone 1 300 736 581 or visit the shop on the corner of Thredbo Terrace and Park Road.

Course Markings: please note the following carefully, as athletes sometimes become disoriented simply because they are not alert to the course markings in place. This is an off-road race, not a fun-run: part of the challenge and responsibility lies with the athlete to be alert for all course indicators, no matter how subtle. Do not blindly follow athletes ahead of you: the most common cause of athletes becoming lost is because they have followed other athletes and not the course markings.

All swim courses will be marked with large yellow inflatable swim buoys. Course instructions will be given at the start of each swim.

Paddle 1: there are NO course markers on this course, as it passes through the established boating lanes. From the start, align yourself with the tower on Jindaboine Hill (the highest point visible), then look for the settlement of East Jindabyne on your left and head for the willow trees.

Run 1: is marked with a combination of white arrows painted on the ground and bright-coloured ribbon tied to foliage. If you have not seen any ribbon or arrows for some time, or if you see a painted X, you may have missed a turn, so turn back until you find ribbon or arrows and follow the course. This is the easiest course on which to go astray and requires concentration on the course markers at all times.

MTB 1: is marked mostly with ribbon and some white painted arrows.

Paddle 2: there are NO course markers on this course, as it passes through the established boating lanes. After heading out of Stinky Bay and turning left, head to the right of Cub Island, then look for the blue roofed house on the hill on the western shore, designating Hatchery Bay.

MTB 2: is marked mostly with ribbon and some white painted arrows.

Run 2: is hardly marked at all as it is mostly in Kosciuszko National Park. Near the top of the climb on the Pallaibo Walking Track there will be one right hand cor-flute arrow at a fork. A marshal will direct you through the car park at Sawpit Creek. After passing under the underpass, follow the Waterfall Track around to the LEFT. This track brings you clockwise all the way around the loop to the same underpass and through the car park again, where the same marshal will direct you to the finish.

MTB 3: is marked with cor-flute arrows positioned next to the track at all intersections. There will be no arrows on sections where there are no turns.

Paddle 3: after coming out of Creel Bay and turning right, follow the western shore most of the way down Lake Jindabyne. Go PAST Wollondibby Inlet (you do NOT turn into Curiosity Rocks as in previous years), then turn right into Widows Inlet to finish on the beach past the boat ramp.

Run 3: follow the cones to the Caravan Park then simply follow the concrete running track all the way to the finish, avoiding potential left and right turns.

Be sure to read all the event information, as well as the course descriptions and don't forget to bring a copy of the driving instructions with you!

Story Archive: the 'Classic' is a race full of adventures. We're always looking for material for the Story Archive. Please send us your copy, including digital photos after the race and we'll do the rest...

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

We look forward to seeing all competitors at Registration on Saturday afternoon between 4 pm and 6 pm at the National Park Headquarters in the centre of Jindabyne. Enjoy your race!

Yours in sport

Prachar Stegemann
Event Coordinator
[email protected]
(0404) 071-327

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team articles - more articles

I didn’t really have a choice in entering this event. In 2011, I entered and didn’t finish, so was compelled, even required, to go back and finish what I’d started. With more training and weighing less, I was ready for another shot at it. So last Sunday, the 2nd of March, I dived into the water before sunrise and started a long day……

for those that just want the summary, I think this photo sums it all up.

Here is what was planned for the day:
Leg 1 – Swim 1.5km

Started at 7am, it was light, but the sun hadn’t come over the hills east of the lake. We all started together (47 teams ranging from 4 to 12 members, mixed teams and 2 solos). A good swim, non-eventful really. It’s fresh water, so I only thought about sharks for about 10% rather than 50% of the time. The water was cool, but perfect in my wetsuit. Leif was there to cheer me out with encouragement and my gear for the next leg.

Time: 25:44 (27:15 in 2011)
Transition time to Paddle: 2 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348255

Leg 2 – Paddle 9km

I brought my Dorado surf ski this time as it’s faster than the Mirage Sea Kayak (used in 2011). Had a good leg as I sat behind a lady in a K1 type boat most of the way who was going just the right pace for me to conserve some energy yet pretty fast, otherwise uneventful. Was passed by a few, but passed many.
Time: 52:18 (1:01:00 in 2011)
Transition time to Run: 1 min
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348274

Leg 3 – Run 7km

A relatively flat run considering the area it’s in – basically follows the lake shore. Magic views that time in the morning. Didn’t pass anyone, but passed by a few. It was hard having people run past you, but I had to remember that I’m a pretty average runner and it was just the beginning of a long day.
Time: 38:40 (58:32 in 2011)
Transition time to Bike: 1 min
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348298

Leg 4 – Bike 8km (technical)
This is all single track and very technical. Although it’s not long in distance this is the first use of the hills surrounding the lake. I had my same BMC Trailfox 01 – great bike, didn’t let me down once. I did manage to smash both knee caps into the head stem/handlebars when trying to get my feet out of the pedals while getting stuck in some tricky terrain, but I was certainly not the only person swearing out there. Passed a couple, got passed by a few.
Time: 47:36 (1:01:06 in 2011)
Transition time to Swim: 6 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348316

Leg 5 – Swim 2.5km (long)
Jeez it’s hard getting into a wet wetsuit, but with two and a half kms in cool freshwater it’s worth it. You swim right past the dam wall, and I only breathe to my left, so I got a good view of it for a while. I replaced my limited thoughts of sharks with ‘what would happen of the dam wall broke?’ Didn’t get passed, passed a few.
Time: 48:45 (55:57 in 2011)
Transition time to Paddle: 3 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348329

Leg 6 – Paddle 5.5km
The best part about this leg was that I didn’t get lost. Last time, I just figured I’d turn the corner and follow the other paddlers – I turned the corner and there were no paddlers to be seen!! This time I was 46 minutes in front of my 2011 time and there were paddlers everywhere. Passed and got passed by a couple.
Time: 36:17 (56:45 in 2011 – got lost and added 2km to the trip)
Transition time to Bike: 2 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348342

Leg 7 – Bike 11km
Wow – looking at my time in comparison to 2011, the extra kms in my prep surely showed off. It’s a funny ride – wide open fields on farmers’ dirt roads and some parts just through the grass. A couple of times you have to climb over barbed wire fences with makeshift stairs made from milk crates tied together – a little wobbly, and certainly didn’t want to get that wrong wearing only thin tri pants!! Passed a few, didn’t get passed.
Time: 34:23 (44:17 in 2011)
Transition time to Run: 2 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348355

Leg 8 – Run 12.5km

This is the leg that completely overwhelmed me in 2011 and marked the end of my race. I simply wasn’t prepared for how hard it was. Being that I am not designed to run up hills, this is a killer. It’s a 12.5km run with 562m of vertical. That’s like running the Balmoral Burn up Awaba Street over 8 times. For a leg that I had thought about and worried about for years, in only about first 100m from the start I screwed it up. I missed a turn off and was lost, adding about 1.2km to the leg. I found two other lost guys. We questioned each other about which way to go and what to do. We bitched and moaned about how hopeless the trail markers were until we saw them……then shut up and just got on with running. This year they made us cross the Thredbo River. Not wanting to run in wet shoes for two hours I chose to burn the time and take them off before wading through the water…some passed me just ploughing through the water. Even though I had trained for this hill, it still got me. I walked the steeps and ran the rest. I didn’t pass anyone, but was passed by many. Best news of the day – finished ahead of the cut off time!!
Time: 2:01:01 (2:27:38 in 2011)

Transition time to Bike: 3 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348390

Leg 9 – Bike 43km (long)

Now in uncharted waters…..though a more appropriate saying would be “back in the bloody hills”. After surviving the vertical challenge of Leg 8, Leg 9 starts off with what is one of the two most mentally challenging parts of the day – more vertical in the form of 8km of up. No flattening off, no undulations, just up. And with no shade in the middle of the day, it was hot. It was mentally hard as I didn’t know when it was going to stop. I was on my own – couldn’t see anyone in front or behind. I knew the leg was 43km, was hoping to finish it in around 3 hours, but when I had only completed 8km after 45 mins I was worried. The up finally finishes at Rennix Gap 1600m above sea level. The tar road is then soon replaced by dirt roads for a massive downhill. It was natures air conditioning – shaded by trees and flying down more vertical decent than I’d just climbed – I was nice and cold by the bottom. Didn’t last long – the next climb was on loose, rocky, dirt roads that were steeper than the tar. Many times I was off my bike walking, only to realise my legs had had enough of that from leg 8, so back to pedalling. I passed many on this leg, as others were hurting/walking more than I was. Good feeling riding past those who ran past me in the last leg (although they were different team members). There was lots of talk of the cut off time for this leg and would we make it – everyone seemed to have different information. I knew this leg finished at lake level, so there had to be another big downhill. Knowing that pushed me up and over the last of the climbs before the fast, steep and free flowing roll to the bottom…so excited to see the water and Leif with my dry wetsuit!!!

Time: 3:10:47 (didn’t do in 2011)
Transition time to Swim: 4 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348431

Leg 10 – Swim 1.4km
It’s now nearly 5:30 in the afternoon. I’m so happy the bike is over and I can get in that cool water. My happiness soon turned to worry when my legs started cramping. I was so thankful for my wetsuit – just float my legs, don’t move them and the cramps would stay away. It worked and I made it to the end. A mouthful of Enduralytes after the swim made those the last cramps of the day. Smashed about 6 pieces of watermelon in transition, so refreshing and cleansing after drinking my fuel mix all day.
Time: 27:26
Transition time to Paddle: 8 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348450

Leg 11 – Paddle 9.5 (long)

This was hard. The afternoon wind had arrived, whipping up some surface chop which was hitting us on an angle for most of the way (did you like how I said ‘us’…..as I still had company!!), so I was burning energy just balancing. It was certainly slow, but knowing there was only a run to go made it easier. I paddled with another guy for most of the leg. We chatted about the sun that was now behind the western mountains that I’d run and biked up and down, and how long ago it was that the sun was on the other side of the lake rising in the morning. That gave me some perspective of what a long day it had been so far. I’ve got to get a new ski – my bum goes numb in the seat, then my left leg, which is not good with a run to follow.
Time: 1:11:14

Transition time to Run: 3 mins
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348468>

Leg 12 – Run 5km (flat)
What can I say…..all I wanted to do now was run the whole way without walking - and I did. It wasn’t fast. I was body tired. I always wonder what is the limiting factor – heart, lungs, legs/arms or your head. I felt like I was having a conversation with a third party when checking in on my legs, they surprisingly were up for it. My heart was ticking away in the low 140s and my head had nothing but the finishing line in it. So it was my lungs that set the pace. I kept looking at the mins/km on my watch and so wanted it to be less than 7mins/km….why I don’t know. I was passed by two, but happy with my 6:47/km. I watched the 0.1 of the kms tick by so knew when I was close. When I turned the last corner and saw the finish chute, expecting a wave of pure happiness to hit, I was quite caught by surprise when my first reaction was a welling up in my eyes. Instead of arms in the air with muscles flexed in victory, I was again surprised with the lightly clenched fists on my chest matching the emotion in my eyes – more of a quiet thank you to my body. Ok, with that done I crossed the line – ABSOLUTELY STOKED. My trusty mate Leif was there again, like he had been all day at every transition, to welcome me in. I can’t remember smiling with such joy from crossing a finish line like that before. Almost immediately they presented me with the 2nd place Solo Trophy – so wasn’t expecting that. You can choose how to remember it – there were three solo competitors signed up, one pulled out at registration and joined a team, two started and two finished, so I either came 2nd or last.
Time: 32:20
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454348491

From the official race report:
Only two solo entrants toed the line at Kalkite Waters, joining the teams' start at 7 am. A small contingent they may have been, yet they provided – for the first occasion in the event's history – a 100% finish rate for the whole solo field. Graham Hammell from Gerringong, was originally entered with a mate as a team of two, yet when his friend was unable to attend, rather than withdrawing himself, Graham decided simply to step up to the next level and race the whole thing solo. His time of 11:13:03 was a sensational return for the courage, commitment and daring to take on this challenge: he even collected a new course record (for soloists) for the MTB1 course along the way. David Shirley of Castlecrag (NSW), is another who came and conquered on his second attempt, finishing in 12:47:12 after a steady and focussed race throughout. We salute both soloists – your cheerful demeanour and constant respect and appreciation for the efforts of all the course marshals and helpers along the way demonstrated both your humility and magnanimity, which combined with your sheer guts and determination gave us all tremendous inspiration and joy in your achievements.

Distance: 115.4km (Swim 5.4km, Paddle 24km, Run 25km & Bike 62km)
Race time: 12 hours 6 mins
Transition time: 40 mins
Average Heart rate for the 12 hours 46 mins: 143 bpm
Elevation Ascent: 1,957m
Elevation Descent: 1,950m

Thanks to my Danielle, Jasmine, Saskia & Bella who supported (put up with) me through all the training, the endless talking about, and the time away from home. A MASSIVE thanks to Leif who gave up his weekend to come help me achieve this. A thanks to Mark Rechner who was a backup in case Leif couldn’t make it.

Thanks to Stan, who, whether on the ride or not pushed me in training – what has Strava done to us?!!?
It’s a great event of camaraderie and support from the fellow competitors, helpers and course officials.

TICK – never again as a solo…….who’s up for a team? Bags not do leg 8 or 9.

View full article »

My friend told me about this race earlier in the year. And at the time it sounded like a really good idea to enter. I thought it looked like a lot of fun! He also said he would enter and we could do the race together. However as race day got closer his name failed to appear on the start list. Thankfully he ended up being one of my crew members for the day.

I had also roped my parents and a friend into being my support crew as my boyfriend was away that weekend for a work trip. I arrived in Canberra on Saturday morning from Brisbane.

We arrived at the swim start at 5am to pretty much an empty car park. After a few minutes more cars arrived and it felt a bit more like a race was about to start. I got into my wetsuit and walked over to the start area. I signed in and had a quick dip in the water before the race briefing started. As we were on the water’s edge my boyfriend came running up. He had flown down the night before to surprise me on race morning. It worked, I was super surprised. After a quick hug from him and a warning from the race director to watch out for snakes we were off.

I was really surprised to be leading the swim right from the start. It was great, I had my own little kayak escort. I took the swim pretty easy as I wasn’t quite sure how to pace myself for the big day ahead. Sighting was super easy as we were swimming directly towards the tower. It felt like I was heading towards the tower all day. I got out of the water and ran straight for my crew. They had everything laid out ready to go. I was hoping I would have had someone to follow early on in the bike as I had no idea where the bike went and what the course markings looked like. I had no dramas however finding the arrows marked on the ground. I made it to about the 4km mark before the first solo male came flying past me. Everyone who passed me during the day was really encouraging and super friendly.

I had no idea how tough the course was going to be. If I had of known I definitely would have spent some more time on my mountain bike in training. I really enjoyed the challenge of the bike legs. Pushing my bike up crazy steep hills, riding on loose gravel, lifting my bike over hundreds of gates, squeezing through tiny tunnels, looking for arrows and crosses along the way, dodging kangaroos and cows and of course just covering the distance of each leg.

I came into transition two still in the lead, but only just. After a quick change I was out on the run and heading up yet another hill. The scenery on the first run was really awesome. I felt like I was running in a foreign country. The weather was perfect all day. I ran the first run at my own pace not worrying about what was happening behind me. I knew Julie Quinn was a gun runner and that she would catch me pretty early in the run. She flew by me, and looked like she was doing it super easy, especially on the uphills. I thought I’d be doing a good job if I could limit the damage to about 10 minutes. So I was really surprised to see Julie just up ahead as I finished the first run.

After a quick banana sandwich I was heading into Lake Burley Griffin. I felt pretty good right from the start of the swim. I found it really interesting swimming point to point and was pretty excited to pass a couple of team swimmers along the way.

Out of the swim and I headed straight to my awesome crew. They did a great job all day of having what I wanted and needed ready. The second ride and run were really enjoyable. I found the second bike ride a little less technical than the first and the run was about the right length. I made sure I kept on top of my nutrition. I had a variety of gels, cliff shot bloks, mars bars, banana sandwiches, water, Gatorade and coke all during the course of the day.

The third swim went by really quickly and before I knew it I was off on the last bike ride of the day. I felt ok at the start of the ride and tried to set a decent pace for the first section. But as soon as I hit the hills I had nothing. I felt like I was going backwards. It was actually quite hilarious how bad I felt. I was actually laughing out loud at how much I was struggling. I was certain Julie would come past me at any moment. But I made it into the last transition of the day still in the lead. I had no idea how I was going to make it to the end as I felt completely out of energy and all I could mutter to my crew was, “coke, coke, I need coke”. But as soon as I started running I actually felt ok. Up a few hills, down a few hills, I kept ticking the km’s over and soon enough the finish line was in sight.

After 12 hours and 3 minutes I had finished. I had an absolutely awesome day and really enjoyed myself. A huge thankyou to the volunteers and the race organisers and to everyone who took part and of course my crew who looked after me all day.

View full article »

Firstly I have to confess, I am not really a triathlete. I did a dozen triathlons in my early 20's before I worked out that I was an awful swimmer, a modest rider but a pretty fast runner. I also enjoyed running more than riding, and lots more than swimming. So I've spent the last two decades as a runner and haven't done a triathlon in 18 years, but having recently talked a bunch of mates into doing an Ironman I thought the triple-tri would be a good first comeback triathlon.

I also figured as a young fella, that one is fast when young, and then you get slower as you age. So as a life-long strategy I chose to run fast while I was young, and leave long-distance races, such as marathons and Ironman until I was an old codger. My thinking was that this would allow me fresh challenges, without being reminded that I am not as fast or strong as I once was. Being 41, I was no longer able to pretend that I was in my youth, so here I am building towards Ironman WA in December 2013.

With a target set, it was time to start preparing - dust off the 1992 Malvern Star and buy a pair of swimmers. I also had to face the reality that I had never raced further than 50 km or 3.5 hours, so I needed experience at fueling and fatigue management, not to mention facing an intimidating long open-water swim. The Sri Chinmoy Triple Tri has a 3.5km open water swim, so I figured I would give it a go and sent off my solo entry.

The knowledgeable triathletes that I mentioned this to were of the unanimous opinion that I was perhaps being a little ambitious. I had realistic ambitions for the day (i) finish, (ii) complete the swims confidently, (iii) enjoy myself, and (iv) take the solo course record for the final run leg.

We had a beautiful day for the race - dead calm for the first swim. Into my old custom fit Aleeda wetsuit. It's a credit to the benefits of a fitness lifestyle that a custom fit wetsuit made for me when I was 21 still fits at 41 as well as it ever did. As a non-swimmer, wetsuit swims are by far the best kind of swim. I can't swim and my longest training session has been 1500 m with breaks, so I approached the swim with some trepidation.

The start was low key in typical Sri Chinmoy fashion, with a dozen of us in the water for the solo start. We spread out quickly, or to be honest the pack swam away from me quickly, as I modestly made my way around Lake Ginninderra. In training I'd had issues with lactate accumulating in my arms. It appears this is from 3-breathing, whereas in the race I 2-breathed and had absolutely no issues with fatigue. It seems my muscles just like oxygen too much. The water was fairly warm until the major turn, but then was much colder once we turned towards the swim exit. Around this time the lead team swimmers went past like a motor boat.

It was a relief to get out of the water because I now knew that I could complete the race - my biggest uncertainty was whether I could really do the swims. Although the big swim was still to come, I was sure I could complete it. Being early in the morning it was still fairly cool, so two cycling jerseys and winter arm warmers were the go for the first ride. It still took until the base of Black Mountain for me to really get my mojo back after the coldness of the swim. The walk up 'push-bike hill' on Black Mountain was the first chance to really meet my fellow competitors, they really should have a photo on the web site of the stream of lyrca clad athletes all walking up the fire trail pushing or carrying their bikes. Once we neared the asphalt I started riding again, and set my normal riding pattern for the day - pass people going up hills and on flats, and let them past as I rode like a Nanna in a 73 Corolla on the way back down. I could make excuses about riding a 'mountain bike' with no suspension, commuter tyres with solid bead and 55PSI. But the reality is that I am barely a cyclist, and certainly not a MTB'er. On the bright side, although the tyres gave very little grip I had no pinch flats and they are fast on the smoother surfaces.

Coming off the bike I downed a salt-fizz in transition. I used one of these in nearly all the transitions for the day, and if avoiding cramp is a measure of success then this was adequate for salt replacement. They are also a pleasant taste to 'resample' during the swim. My other nutrition for the day was a single gatorade bottle on each bike leg and then endura gels, where I had three on most ride and run legs. I ate one banana in T4 to keep my wife happy, and had some fruit at an aid station late in the day. I have adapted to gels in running races, where I can carry enough to give myself nutrition certainty when custom drinks are not available. I also find that gels avoid the horrible mouth and throat effects of too much sports drink. I raced in Sugoi tri-shorts all day as a trial of gear for Ironman, these were great. I used chamois cream at the start of each ride, and had no chafing and no issues with the chamois on the runs. I am used to racing in running shorts that have a pocket that can hold my gels, so I did all three runs holding my spare gels in my hand. As a runner I don't believe in race belts as I have no fleshy bits to support them.

Given goal #1 was to finish I needed to avoid spending any go-beans on the runs. So on each climb I stopped and stayed with the first competitor that I caught, so I walked up most of the early hills. The feeling on the course was very much like a long training run, I had several extended conversations with new friends. On this run I met fellow solo competitors Warren, James and Nick, who I would see and travel with regularly throughout the day. Coming down through the War Memorial I diverted to pause and reflect for a minute at the Montevideo Maru memorial in memory of my grandfather, then rejoined James and Nick for the trot down to the boatshed and completion of our first triathlon of the day. A team competitor we were with had fallen three times on the run - beats me how.

The swim down Lake Burley Griffin was flat, and my confidence was buoyed not only by the successful 1500m in leg 1, but by having my mate Jon paddle with me the whole way - I do recommend an escort paddler for this leg. I swam this 3.5km leg non-stop with only the barest twinge of incipient cramps in my legs that were driven off by a few kicks. The water temperature was variable, and for the second time today I came out shaking from the cold by the time I finished. I still think this is a small penalty to pay for the benefits of a lean body on hills. The shivers passed quickly once on the bike as the day had warmed up nicely. Maybe I'll invest in one of those newfangled wetsuits that has sleeves.

The second cycle is probably the hottest leg, especially as the breeze doesn't make it to the stretch at the back of Mt Stromlo. My helper Jon rode most of the remainder of the course with me. Having returned from Afghanistan about 10 days earlier he had not had the opportunity to swim, ride or run for six months. I'm sure he would have been a fellow solo competitor otherwise. He took a tumble over his bars on one of the downhills prior to the Uriarra road crossing and lost a whole swag of skin, but still rode what must have been close to 100km in the afternoon without complaint. Summiting Stromlo is a watershed moment in the race. I reached here feeling comfortable save for a lumpy throat converting itself into a bit of a head cold, but I knew it was all (figuratively) downhill from here. The challenges that I thought were a risk were behind me - I had swum the two longest swims, I had done most of the mountain biking, and I had avoided cracking with fatigue or going out too hard.

I walked up the steep pitches on the bike and run legs, as well as the technical downhills on the bike, this is a safe strategy, but I left many minutes out on the course. If you want a good time for this race, getting good MTB skills and a sensible bike will pay dividends. The Lake Tuggeranong swim had a bit of surface luffed up by the breeze, which set up a modest washing machine effect near the exit at the Arts Centre - but at 1200m it is best summarised as a refreshing dip at this part of the race. I wet suited for it, but I think a good swimmer would be faster without the transition delays. The final ride includes two sharp climbs, plus the famous tunnel under Hindmarsh Drive. I think riding the tunnel is for people smaller or more skilled them me - probably both.

Into the last transition I still pretended to myself that I was going to shoot for the solo record for this leg. I was fairly fresh and had the advantage that the day was now cooling into evening. I struggled into the toe-socks and five-fingers again (I did all my runs in these) and set off up Red Hill at a trot. Coming down towards the bike path in Curtin I was about a minute outside the time I figured I needed. I had been using the goal of racing this last leg as an excuse to go easy in the rest of the event. This had served its purpose - I was on the last leg and was going to finish, I had avoided going out too hard. I had enjoyed myself, and completed the swims. As a bonus I was going to place in the middle of the solo field, which is always nice and was certainly more than I deserved. Approaching the aid station I elected to enjoy this last leg and finish fresh and happy rather than shatter myself in a probably unsuccessful attempt on the record. So I stopped at the aid station, gorged down half the remaining fruit, and chatted to the volunteer for a minute or four (really? it felt like two but the Garmin never lies), and I then pattered down the bike path to meet my wife and kids. The kids were happy to see me back in my home suburb, so I ran with them for a bit, before pressing on towards the finish at a pace 5:45/km and a heart rate of 120 bpm. I felt invincible, it was so smooth and comfortable just cruising alone the bike path towards the finish. Every race I've ever done before I've flogged myself to grab every second as I approach the finish - easing off to savour those last few minutes is a completely different experience.

It was close to dark as I reached Yarralumla Bay and crossed the line hand-in-hand with my kids Charlie and Delle, in a bit over 14:13. I was rewarded with the famous Sri Chinmoy post-race food and presentations shortly after. I was surprised to discover that I came 4th U50 Male, and 5th solo overall. Hat's off to the other Craig that was faster than me and took out the over 50 category.

Logistics is a big component of this event for solo competitors. Transition kits are essential, my crew were great (thanks Mum, Dad and Jon), planning is probably a little easier if your crew have raced before themselves and know Canberra. Knowing the course, at least roughly, is also an advantage and minimises risk - several non-local solo competitors took wrong turns. The course directions on the web are ambiguous in places. The marking on the day is good, but there are a hundred opportunities to err.

The solo Triple-Tri has a mystique about it, and as with most big challenges this is sort of justified. It is a long day and is only achievable by those that are really fit. But it is not only for the elite. There were clearly two groups of solo athletes that finished the event. The racers that did 12 hours, and the rest of us that did 14 hours or more. Racing the event takes thorough preparation and has the risk of overextending. But many, many Bilby's could complete this event if their goal is simply to finish. Sure, you need to be able to ride and run for a few hours without being shattered, but the regular transitions seem to keep you fresh throughout the day. I approached this race as though it was an epic training day and it pretty much was. In post-race recovery I had much less muscle soreness than I would from racing a marathon, but have noticed my metabolism in a funny place that affects sleep and eating this week. This is a classic local race that is more accessible than you think.

View full article »

by Paul Smith

Up until this 100k race I had only done one other ultra race - the Brindabella 100 miler (165km, an epic fatass event on again in 2015 - check it out at http://brindabella100.com/) in February 2012. I took that race so easy at the start that I felt fresh at the 100k mark, and it is hillier (4600m ascent) so I knew I would have few issues making 100k. I just wasn't sure I could really race it and hammer the downhills without blowing up. Despite only racing one ultra I have done a heap of sillly training runs over the last 3 years such as an 85km run from my home in Holder to Blue Waterholes in Kosciuszko National Park, via Kambah Pool/Tidbinbilla/Corin.

I had decided I would take the start of the race very easy as I was a bit under done with sickness leading up to race day, but managed to get in 2 decent 50/60k runs in the 2 months beforehand. They were very hilly runs on my current favourite long run course - Holder to Cotter, then on firetrails/motorbike trails/no trails to Tidbinbilla, then back via Bullen Range somewhat randomly either via Kambah Pool or Pine Island or somewehere in between, and home. There probably is a pattern there, getting sick after every 50/60k run which finished with a freezing cold swim across the Murrumbidgee River, but I like to ignore such trivial things.

Right from the start of the 100k I stuck religiously to my non-scientific strategy of saving my legs by walking down every steep downhill early in the race. I kept this up until about the 40k mark when we hit Stromlo Forest Park and was in 8th place amongst the solos. I had run very easy, but was a bit concerned as I definitely didn't feel as fresh as I hoped.

My downhill strategy meant I was with running politician extraordinaire Shane Rattenbury along the top of Red Hill, but lost so much time walking down that I only just caught him at the top of Isaacs. Walked down Isaacs, nearly caught him again at the top of Mt Taylor. Walked down, nearly caught him at the top of Mt Arawang. Walked down, and finally caught and passed him halfway up Stromlo. I then got sick of the yo-yoing and started running the downhills. Shane started having cramping problems not long after, so I didn't see him again.

Including Shane, I passed 2 other solo runners on the way up or down Mt Stromlo, and by the end of leg 2 at the National Arboretum was in 4th place, 12 minutes down on the leader Thomas Brazier.

I started to struggle in leg 3 but pepped up a bit on the summit trail of Black Mountain where I had my first date (yes - a running date) 13 years ago with my wonderful wife Simone, who was also my helper for the race. To stop her from getting bored during the long day I had gone for a high work rate helper strategy - I was carrying only the bare minimum allowed amount of water in 2 x 250ml flasks strapped to a minimal triathlon water belt. I had her follow me around all day and give me water every 5km or so, allowing me to run free without a pack and in my mind enabling me to enjoy the event a lot more.

I was feeling good and ran in to 2nd place at the back of O'Connor, passing eventual 2nd place finisher Paul Cuthbert up a hill, but then took a hard fall a km later on the last steep downhill bit of dirt before exiting the reserve (why didn't I walk that one?). I would like to blame the fall for my very average performance after that, but it was more likely the running on the paths/stormwater drains through O'Connor/Dickson to the end of the leg. Paul was running well on the flats/downhills and only struggling on the uphills, but I really struggled mentally once we exited the dirt, and I cracked and he was able to put a few minutes on me in the last 3km of the leg.

My strategy of saving my legs early seemed to have worked for a while, but was long forgotten by the time I started leg 4, and was struggling up Mt Majura. I managed to run down off Majura okay, but I then got lost due to some mischievous modifications to the course markings (damn those Hackett NIMBYs!) and lost perhaps 15 minutes (2 or 3km at my current pace) and also lost 3rd place to Andrew Donaldson who I didn't see all day. It was that sort of a race, only getting one glimpse or two or none, of other competitors all day.

I really just wanted the race to be over and done with in the last 10km, struggling up Mt Ainslie, then hobbling down the horrible Ainslie walking path. I was still able to run, but it was not pretty. The last km or so along the lake was painful, but I managed to run it in solidly. I was very happy to finish in a tad under 10hrs 30 min.

Thanks to the wonderful Sri Chinmoy Marathon team for a great event, all the volunteers for their help and enthusiasm, and all the solo runners for their camaraderie, and to all the team runners (of which there were some very impressive performances) and supporters who all gave me encouragement out there during the day. And also to local ultra legend Martin Fryer for designing and marking the course, and re-marking again on race day.

Highlights for me:

* The zig-zagging track following kangaroo trails through the O'Malley Woodlands, one of my favourite running places. I could easily do a whole 100km in the woodlands.

* The scenic summit trail on Black Mountain, one of Canberra's hidden treasures.

* The encouragement from every team runner who passed me (okay, all except one - there was one that was in the zone).

Lowlights for me:

* Disappointment yet again running through the Coppins Crossing causeway under the road. I have come across a lingerie photo shoot there previously. Unfortunately nothing interesting to report this time.

* The frequent NIMBY course marking issues.

* The descent down Mt Ainslie. Ouch!

Cheers

Paul Smith

View full article »

The Inaugural Sri Chinmoy Canberra Centenary 100km Trail Run
by Tom Brazier, 23, Canberra.

During my pre-race stalking of competitors, a few familiar names left me looking forward to the challenge of a closely contested race, with quite a few guys all within reach of each other depending on how things went on the day.

After a hectic drive from Belconnen into Lake Burley Griffin, we arrived with five minutes to spare before the start, phew! Saw some friendly faces in the starting bunch including Gus Hayes, Pierre Francois and Damo Stewart. Determined not to be that young guy who went out too hard and paid for it later in the race, it was a relief to have Wes Gibson and Paul Cuthbert lead us out at a reasonable pace. I tucked in with Damian Smith to reminisce about our wrong turn during Tour de Ridges last year while we trotted past Parliament House.
Once we hit Red Hill, Wes, Paul, Damo and I worked together to put a bit of time into the rest of the field. Isaac’s Ridge was my favourite section – stories about our favourite races plus some nerdy runner gear chat. Jokes were made about the temptation to take off on the downhill single track but we stuck to our semi-disciplined pacing strategy. The climb up Taylor was the first sustained walking section, and we all followed Paul down the slopes into CP1.

Quick transitions all round, Sarah had my “delicious” powdered food ready to go and we were off towards Mt Arawang. On the downhill single track I took a chance to be the rabbit off the front, figuring that the other guys would catch me on the upcoming flats, but it would cost them a bit of extra effort. Rob Walter sprinted past me on his way to a sub-7 relay team finish, crazily fast! Soon Paul caught me and we ran across the Stromlo grass track together feeling like school cross country kids.
Paul took the lead as we hiked up the fire trails, and I couldn’t see anyone behind us on the switchbacks. I wanted to have a lead going into the flatter leg 3, as I was feeling strong on the hills but vulnerable on the fast running sections, so snuck away from Paul as we came down from Stromlo. The Arboretum section seemed to drag on forever until finally I shuffled into CP2, desperate for sunscreen and craving some water.
Once again Sarah was on top of everything and seeing the ANU tri club relay boys was a boost. It was clear the next leg would be a battle, as I resorted to a walk-run combo through the cork plantation. Brad Carron-Arthur sped past me on his way to the 3rd fastest time for leg 3, having only been called up to race a few days beforehand. However I saw him again a few minutes later on the Aranda powerline track, where some of the course markings had been interfered with. Fortunately Elizabeth Humphries came through with perfect timing and showed us the correct route, thanks!

Black mountain was a struggle but I was spurred on by a steady stream of relay runner reports of Paul being 5mins or 500m behind me, just out of sight. A bit of warm, flat coke near the top did the trick (or maybe it was the fact we were heading downhill again) and my spirits picked up towards Bruce Ridge. It was a lonely, steady jog from here through the footpaths of Lyneham and the stormwater drains of Dickson. The party atmosphere at CP3 was encouraging but I had to stay on task so it was quickly off to Majura.
Hiking up to the saddle, I reached the out-and-back summit section and opted for a rogaining inspired bag drop. A strategic call to my crew at CP3 gave them a bit of a fright, but got me an update on who was chasing and how close they were. I managed to get back from the trig, grab my pack and sneak off before any solo runners came through. This gave me the psychological edge of being out of sight of any chasers, so I really had to concentrate on not taking a tumble down the mountain. A quick calculation told me a sub-10 finish was achievable.

Just before the final Ainslie climb, up popped an aid station with Tom Landon-Smith from AROC, and I managed a “You organised TNF100, both our names are Tom!” I hiked purposefully up the back of Ainslie, stealing a glance over my shoulder where possible. All of a sudden I was running on that damned concrete again, coming down Ainslie and around the lake towards the finish. A cheeky challenge from my mate Jack saw me “sprint” up the final grassy hill – 9:48:48. The training, planning and support from family and crew all came together for a thoroughly enjoyable race.

Thanks to the Sri Chinmoy marathon team and Martin Fryer for a fun and challenging new course. The aid station volunteers were super friendly and supportive. Congrats to the other solo finishers and thanks to the relay crews for the motivation as they flew past us.

Nutrition: Skipped the gluten loading party on Friday night (editor's note-gluten free options were available!) ~240 cals/hr of homemade mix - 80% maltodextrin / 20% soy protein isolate + flavouring/electrolytes. 500mL water/hr with extra at CPs. A bit of coke at aid stations and 100mg caffeine on the last two legs.
Gear: Inov8 Trailroc 255, Ultimate Direction PB vest.

Read a story on Tom from the ANU Sport website>>

View full article »

A race being held on 07/07/13 was always going to be auspicious in terms of numbers, and so it proved to be – several new course records including outright fastest time over the Long Course, and a record field of 94 starters.

A beautiful day for racing, over a fast course produced excellent results across the field, and hearty appetites for the post-race pancake spread.

Jason Chalker's long-standing Long Course record, set in 2005, finally fell to the impressive Scott Chancellor, who took 18 seconds off Jason's overall course time, and a mere 3 seconds off his bike course record en route. Scott seemed to be barely puffing as he crossed the line after what most consider to be a pretty tough race. Not far behind Scott were Matt de Pomeroy (1:43:24), David Osmond (1:44:16), John Power (1:44:45), Steve Fitchett (1:47:02) and Kelby Murray (1:49:18), making it an unprecedented 6 finishers in under 1:50.

The Male Over 50 Long Course race saw every record beaten today. Gary Lilley set the first run and bike course records on his way to a remarkable finish time of 1:57:50 – the first Male Over 50 to break the 2 hour mark on this course; while Jon Schol made up for an unintentionally extra-long bike leg to set a new fastest time over the final run of 40:12.

The other record to fall in the Long Course race was in the All-Female Teams, where Elizabeth Humphries (who already holds the Mixed Team record with Dave Osmond) teamed up with Louise Sharp to set a new time of 2:02:45, bringing them home a mere 7 seconds behind the first All-Male team "Cowbatch"!

Fastest team on the day however was the Mixed combo of Mace Neve (runner) and Trevor Jacobs (mountain bike) who clocked 1:59:18 between them.

Sophie Bos was the fastest Female Under 50 today, winning in 2:10:24 with quite a margin to the rest of the field, including Kate Vandenberg in 2:24:39, who had her own excellent race with 3rd-placegetter Liz Stephens (2:25:52). Sally Jeffrey took out the Solo Female 50+ category in a sprightly 2:30:06.

In the Short Course race, Alan Clark sped around the course faster than any Male 50+ ever has before him, clocking 43:45 and taking the final run course record as well as the overall time.

It was Brett Jones who won the race outright however, in an excellent time 37:15, from Matt Cuzner (38:57) and Mark Simpson (39:32). Lou Basyoni took out the Women's race in 45:23 from Jasmine Foxlee (46:31) and Samantha Rampant (48:17).

Amongst the teams, it was "The Flames" who took out the competitive Mixed Teams category in 44:45.

Congratulations to all who participated in the race, which was held in a marvellous spirit of cooperative enjoyment. We are very sorry that some bikers in the Long Course found their bike leg extended thanks to a mischievous walker in the Aranda Bushland who turned a sign to face the wrong direction – and most grateful to the competitors who stopped and corrected the errant sign, thus saving the rest of the field considerable confusion and lost time.

Thank you all for your wonderful contributions – we look forward to seeing you again at future events. Full results are now published, along with some photos from the start/finish area.

View full article »

Overall Impressions

Perhaps there is no other event which offers you the opportunity to circumnavigate a whole city in an off road triathlon. Each leg is unique, and this is why the best thing is to do the whole lot. It is not designed to be easy or even possible; It basically connects all the biggest hills in Canberra, seemingly getting nastier as the race goes on.

This was my second attempt at solo. Two years ago I got lost on Mount Stromlo when faced with conflicting arrows from different events. Five hours later, dehydrated and depleted, I found my way to Lake Tuggeranong, the only place I knew on the course. Although friends encouraged me to keep going, I was only interested in food and sleep. This year was very different. Having lived in Canberra for 6 months I had made an effort to familiarize myself with the whole course. I even offered to mark out the Stromlo section just to erase any possibility of getting lost. Knowing the course is a big advantage. Even if it is well marked, just knowing where you are and where you are going takes a lot of stress out of the day. Plus, you can pace yourself better when you know what is coming up.

This year I was very lucky to have as my helper the great Trevor Fairhurst - 4 time winner and number 1 enthusiast of the event. Sadly Trev was unable to compete himself due to injury but wanted to come and help a solo. Trev was so organised and so focused that I never had time to feel sorry for myself. It was a one way express train with no getting off.

The final run - the best I felt all day!

Knowing how punishing the midday sun can be, I was ready to battle with heatstroke, dehydration, cramp and nausea. But a miracle happened - the sun never came out. Instead it was the rain and wind which we faced - preferable any day for the endurance athlete. This made the day a lot more bearable. Coming from an ultra running background, I am used to the mental challenge of ever increasing pain and fatigue. But the great thing about the Triple Tri is that just when you have had enough you reach transition and launch into something else. Having said that, my illusions that it would be plain sailing after the long run-swim-bike combo were well and truly shattered by the torturous hills of the last bike and beyond. I think for many soloists the long slog up Mt Stanley must be the time when they lose or find themselves. Although the last bike is the shortest, it is probably the steepest and most technically challenging. If you are not from a mtb background it is really just survival mode. For some reason I enjoy the long swim across Lake Burley Griffin. Even though this year it was quite choppy, it is just nice to get off your feet and slosh around in a liquid world for a good hour or so. Like most triathlons, most time is spent on the bike, but without a solid running base you will lose most of your advantage.

In some ways having 8 transitions is tough because it takes time for your body to adjust to moving in a different way. Usually when you come off the bike it takes 10 minutes or so to get your running legs working. In the second half of a swim or run I would feel more relaxed. But the advantage of changing frequently is that your muscles get a break. On hotter days the swim is always welcome and is an important opportunity to cool down.

Everyone will have their own motivation for taking on this challenge. Most likely your friends are not all doing it. There is some hunger inside you to see what you are capable of. For many people the idea of the solo challenge is too daunting, but I believe that this is just a mindset. When you get out there and try it you find that you are capable of more than you think. The harder the goal that we set for ourselves, the more satisfying it is to achieve.

The fulness of life lies in dreaming and manifesting the impossible dreams.
-Sri Chinmoy

Training

The general rule is that you can never do enough training. Everyone has time and energy limits. Generally I just do as much as I can, always trying to increase, but back off when I get too run down. I like training. It feels good. Having a big event is just the motivation that makes training happen. Canberra is a great place to train for triathlon. Loads of trails and bike paths and not many people. The lakes are usually fine for swimming too, although most people still seem to go the pool.

Nutrition

I am always paranoid about hitting the wall in a long event so I try to keep eating even when I do not feel like it. Once you run out of energy it is very difficult to recover. I used high5 isogels, baby food and high5 energy bars mostly. Baby food is perfect - no chewing needed and usually very natural and nutritious. The bike is the easiest time to eat but it is not always possible. The second and third rides start with long sections on the bike path and this is the time to eat and drink. When you hit the trails you often need both hands on the handlebars. The end of the second ride along Cooleman Ridge is another opportunity. Trev put a Bento Box on my bike which was great as it is easy to grab food. The best thing is have bars unwrapped and broken up already. I would try to eat something every hour plus have gels and electrolyte. It is worth stopping in the middle of the long swim to have a gel. I had one stuffed in the sleeve of my wetsuit and this was not uncomfortable.

by Sukhajata Cranfield

View full article »

Swim - The 80m course for the Junior Joyathon follows a straight line that is never more than 20 metres from the shore.

Cycle - The 4.7 km course heads north along the cycle path. At the intersection turn right, up the hill. Cross Garryowen Dr and turn right onto the cycle path. Follow the path south, across a carpark, before returning north to the bike compound. Complete two laps. Ride single file and keep to the left at all times.

Run - The course is a cross country course within the grassy expanse bordered by Garryowen Drive. After exiting the compound from the northern end the course immediately turns sharply right onto the grass, heads south, makes a loop around the play equipment, then returns northwards, crossing John Cardiff Close and then briefly joining the bike path before crossing the finish line.

View full article »

We are doing this again!!? It might be cold
Tho’ it never rains; So we’ve been told!
The fifth time we’ve entered. The team is antique.
And sadly, oh dear, the forecast is bleak.
Pack the raincoat and brolly and hope the kayak doesn’t leak.

Wipers on full throttle as we slide into Kalkite
Mist and rain – but wait! It’s getting light
Helen’s afloat and swims with the best
Jean’s off down the lake - (so far we’re blessed)
The rain has let up, the brolly is spent
Jean (the Machine) Stars! How she went!
Sue’s ready and waiting and dancing about
Transition is smooth, Sue’s off. There’s no doubt
She’s aiming to crush her time
From 2 thousand and nine
“The hill’s seemed to be less – the track more benign”
Her record is smashed and she’s nearly TOO quick
Peggy just makes transition from run to mud (thick)

Granite boulders wizz by and right on time
Peg rides the big dipper, tags Helen the flipper
Simmo the Supporter, brought the kayak around
So Jean can keep Helen from running aground
Hel sliced through the water. Her time? It is fab - ay!
And before she is dry, Jean’s near Hatchery Bay
(Oh joy - the rain - it is staying away)

But where are the other teams of the day?
The Quinn has gone AWOL, no Baldwin to play
No Fox Hunt this year-the Vixens home in the den
the Pankcake and the Stuffers? We do miss them
Foges, Sue and the knot of Bullfrog Croaks
are here for the race in the new ponds and the soaks
The “JARS” from Congo can’t stay away
The “Last Minute” boys are here making hay
“The Cougars Hunters” are having a punt
Are we the Cougars? (Hmm - just now the old girls are in front)!

Back to the story – Jeannie is fast
Peggy’s second ride is a blast
Sue’s crossing the river and bounds up the incline
While Sue’s running swiftly – (of age there’s no sign)
Peg’s washed off the mud, had a last stretch of the spine.
While waiting for Sue at Sawpit creek
We witness the Bullfrog’s crowd pleasing technique
Transition from daughter to dad comes with a kiss and embrace
Aaaawwww! A sweet moment of the race
And Dad’s speedy ride’s an impossible chase.

The last ride is long and it’s tough and its up
Its rutted and boggy and steep and a cow
“Abiding cheerfulness”-where are you now?
(It took a shortcut, straight down the Snowy
Avoiding the vertical mountain and plain where its blowy)
Nearly 3 hours later when Peggy emerges
The other girls, now well rested, are ready for surges
The last ride transcendence in style
Now it is Hel’s turn to swim the last mile.
The wind and the chop are starting to gather
The Divas Alina sees only foam and lather.

The tail wind assists and the following sea
Jeannie’s last paddle rushed along, “paddle paddle! Whoopee!”.
Well done Alan (from the UH and F Team)
The chase down the lake really made Jeannie beam.
But where are the Diva’s – the purple and red?
Surely they can’t have managed to slip ahead?
Alas for them, the choppy lake took its toll
But Sue wasn’t going to make it a stroll.

We finished in the rain just as we began
A wonderful day. Lots of fun, sweat and pain.
Would we do it again?

You bet!!
……

Huge thanks to the organisers, marshals, KNP staff, SES, land-owners, other teams and the solo athletes.

The Go Go Girls @50 +
Sue Archer
Helen Douglass
Jean Douglass
Peggy Douglass

View full article »

Leg 10 is a 1.2km swim, starting from Snowy River Beach and finishing at the beach adjacent to the public boat ramp at Creel Bay.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Swimmers should arrive early at Creel Bay, to be ferried from here to Snowy River Beach for the start. The course is a direct line from Horseshoe Bay around Waste Point to the boat launching area at Creel Bay.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The race commences with a 1.5 km swim, starting and finishing from the beach adjacent to the North Kalkite boat ramp.

sri_chinmoy_multisport_classic_leg1

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

The course is triangular, passing around 2 swim buoys in a clockwise direction.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The first run course has a bit of everything - cruising by the lake's edge, some climbing, panoramic views and genuine cross-country. Please note that runners MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Start from the transition under the willows on the beach at Rushes Bay, East Jindabyne. Follow the concrete pedestrian path. Cross over the dirt road, then straight ahead onto a single track, which leads around in front of East Jindabyne. Look for a small single track leading off to the right, which leads around the top of the bay along the shoreline, then look for a 4WD track on the left, heading uphill.

Cross over the bitumen road and follow it to the right as far as it goes. After the end of the road, look for a faint single track leading to your left above the shoreline. Follow this track along the shoreline until it concludes, then turns to the LEFT, heading uphill. Turn right at the next fork onto a fainter grass track heading up towards the houses of Alpine Sands. Turn right at the next fork, heading down and up out of a gully. Turn right again in front of the houses, heading back into the trees and downhill all the way to a beach. Follow the shoreline across one rocky headland and then along another beach.

Look for the track heading up to the left at the end of this beach, into the bush. Follow this track down to another small inlet, cross to the left hand side of the beach, then turn hard right behind the tree onto the concrete path.

Turn left at the fork in the concrete path, in front of the swings, then veer right off the concrete path immediately after the lookout on your right, onto a grass track leading into the bush. Follow this track below the houses, along a short levee and briefly (for a few metres) back onto concrete. Turn right after the small sewage pump-out box onto a narrow dirt track below the houses, then left at the next fork (don't head down to the beach!)

Nearing the water, join with a trail following the shoreline around to the left. Just before you reach the third beach, turn left at a fork onto a track heading uphill. Turn left at the 4WD track and follow up the sharp hill to the transition near the inersection of Echidna Place and Rainbow Dr.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The 1st paddle course covers two thirds of the length of the lake. Early in the morning the lake is generally placid, making for enjoyable and fast conditions. Note that paddlers MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

sri_chinmoy_multisport_classic_leg2

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

From the transition at North Kalkite boat ramp, paddle south past Kalkite township.

For most of the course your landmark to head for is the communication tower on the top of Jinderboine Hill, the highest point among the hills ahead of you.

Heading into Rushes Bay with the township of East Jindabyne on your right, look for the willow trees on the beach, which mark your finish and transition to the next leg.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The middle paddle is the shortest, and under good conditions should be the easiest. But look out for power-boats, and the potential for a strong head-wind! Note that paddlers MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Easing out from the beach at The Haven, round the headland to your left and head north.

Aim straight for Cub Island, which you will pass and immediately turn to your left. Continue now heading west, passing Lion Island. Cotntinuuing west you will arrive into Wolondibby Inlet, passing Curiosity Rocks as you enter to the transition point.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The 2nd swim leg commences from the transition area just above the beach at South Tyrolean Cove.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Head out around the rocky point to your left as you swim out from the beach. Turn to your left (south), keeping the first swim buoy to your left shoulder. After this, keep all swim buoys to your right shoulder.

Enter Copper Tom Reach, and pass the 2nd, 3rd and 4th swim buoys, now swimming back towards the north.

As you pass around the headland to your left, pass two final buoys, keeping both to your right shoulder, and cross the rope line of floats. Head in to the finish on the beach at The Haven.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The first mountain bike course is by far the most technically demanding leg of the whole event. Only experienced and proficient mountain bikers should attempt this course. It is strongly advised that athletes familiarise themselves with the course prior to the race. Please note that cyclists MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Although 8 kilometres does not sound a long way on a bike, the majority of the course is on narrow single tracks, for the most part over steep and rocky terrain. This leg is not for the faint-hearted, the inexperienced or the untrained.

The course commences at the transition area near the intersection fo Echidna Place and Rainbow Dr. Look for the single track heading into the bushes and proceed along this track.

Follow this track mostly up and also down. Turn left at the first main junction, heading up hill. This leads through several wide switch backs up the hill, bringing nearly to the top of the hill. Cross over the 4WD track and head straight onto the single track on the other side, named "Knights in Shining Armour," then take the next fork to your left onto "Huff 'n Puff."

This track starts to switchback downhill, with the main bitumen road (Kosciuszko Rd) below you. Your track almost joins a larger 4WD track heading downhill, but switches back again one metre before joining it and continues through a series of broad switchbacks heading down.

You are now below the level of Kosciuszko Rd. Look out for snakes! Continue straight and the left onto the "Centre Link" trail, which finally brings up out onto a 4WD road, the final 100 metres of which down to Mill Inlet is 2-way traffic, so be alert for bikes coming towards you.

From Mill Inlet, continue up the 4WD track. At the top of this track, head straight onto a single track heading up onto the ridge before you reach Kosciuszko Rd. Thsi track turns right and starts to loop back around towards the lake. You are now on the return leg of your journey.

Turn left at the next fork onto "She'll be Apples," which eventually becomes "Felicity." This track then endures a steep, rocky climb to the top of Mill Hill. The power lines at the top mark the beginning of a spectacular descent, with great views across the lake to Jindabyne, all the way around and down to Mill Inlet.

At Mill Inlet, turn to your left to rejoin the 2-way traffic, though this time you are heading up and the cyclists coming towards you are coming downhill. Veer left then onto "Julio's" track and continue straight ahead.

Look for the left hand turn at Pole Number 12 onto "Huff 'n Puff." Folow this up through some switchbacks until you join the deluxe "Mill Creek Track." Continue around the flank of the ridge with the town directly on your left.

A well-earned downhill run brings you home. There is one fork a few hundred metres from the finish, where you will take the right hand option. Take care coming into the big ditch leading into the transition!

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

NOTE: THIS COURSE HAS BEEN AMENDED FOR 2024

The 2nd run leg is the most challenging of the three - a genuine cross-country run on walking trails through natural forest. Take care as the footing is quite uneven and requires full concentration. Please note that runners MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Starting from the NEW TRANSITION AT THE TREDBO RIVER PICNIC AREA (turn left off Kosciuszko Rd as you are heading west into the National Park, immediately after you cross the Thredbo River), look for the signs designating the beginning of the Pallaibo Walking Track and Thredbo Valley Track. These tracks are the same for the first 500m of newly constructed trail. THIS IS DUAL USEAGE TRAIL, SO PLEASE BE ALERT FOR BIKES COMING THE OTHER WAY!

After 500m, look out for the fork heading to your RIGHT, where the Pallaibo Trail veers away from the main Thredbo Valley Track, to head uphill. The trail rises, ascends, then continues to climb. After several kms, take the right hand option at a fork in the track, which will bring you out at the Sawpit Creek picnic area, where you turn to your left into the picnic area.

Continue through the picnic area directlyonto the Waterfall Track, which heads under the bridge over Sawpit Creek. Head to your left onto this trail.

This track, which is another designated walking trail, takes you through bushland which was completely burned out in the fires of January 2003.

The trail takes its name from a pretty waterfall on Sawpit Creek at the far end of the loop, though flows are dependent on rainfall or snow melt.

Continue past the waterfall, all the way around the loop until you return through the underpass under Kosciuszko Rd to the Sawpit Creeek picnic area. Run through the picnic area, then turn left onto the walking track for another 400 metres to bring you to the Kosciuszko National Park Education Centre and the transition.

sri_chinmoy_multisport_classic_leg8

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

NOTE THIS COURSE HAS BEEN ALTERED FOR 2024.

The 2nd mountain bike course is a complete contrast to the 1st. It is technically not difficult, over gently undulating terrain on well-formed single track and some roads. Please note that cyclists MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

From the transition, follow the newly built single track north to Hatchery Bay (about 4km). Follow the main dirt road out of Hatchery Bay towards Kosciuszko Rd, the cross Kosciuszko Rd being very careful to watch and give way to ALL TRAFFIC. Continue along the undulating bitumen road towards the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

At the entrance car park of the Trout Hatchery, turn right, past the toilet block and continue onto the new Thredbo Valley Track, across the impressive new bridge over the Thredbo River, and through the gate on the far side. Turn right and follow the signs to the Thredbo River Picnic Area.

Note this section of the course is a shared pathway. BIKERS MUST GIVE WAY TO ALL PEDESTRIANS (including runners coming the other way over the final 500m). The Thredbo River Picnic Area is the next transition point.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The 3rd mountain bike leg is by far the longest leg of the day, starting with a climb on the road and the highest point on the course, another gruelling climb after crossing the Snowy River and a net descent from top to bottom of 700 metres through the forests adorning the edge of Australia's highest mountain range. Note that cyclists MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

Starting from the Kosciuszko Education Centre on Kosciuszko Rd, turn onto Kosciuszko Road heading solidly uphill for the first 8 kilometres as far as Rennix Gap, at 1600 metres the highest point on the course so far.

400 metres after Rennix Pass, turn right onto the road to Guthega, with about 4 kms of downhill riding, still on bitumen.

Though it is tempting to speed on this section, be extremely alert for cars coming in the opposite direction and DO NOT cross onto the right hand side of the road under any circumstance!

Turn right at the fork towards Island Bend, which leads right into gravel with several options but no signposts. Take the furthest right of these options, heading slightly downhill into the bush. You will pass by two turn-offs to Island Bend Dam on your left. Glide downhill through forest which was completely burned out in the January 2003 bushfires, but has shown remarkable recovery. Continue for about 6 kms on this dirt road, ignoring all turn-offs to your right. The road bends sharply to your left, then you cross the Snowy River (or what is left of it).

Take the trail directly ahead after the bridge and begin climbing, and climbing, and climbing. The following climb is graded about "Push Bike Hill" x 4 ("Push Bike Hill" is the climb up Black Mountain on the first mountain bike leg of the Triple-Tri). After 2.5 kms of climbing, turn hard left at the next fork in the trail, passing around a gate onto the Gungarlin Fire Trail. The next 200 m are the steepest part of the climb.

The climb plateaus briefly half way up before following power lines to the top of the hill (6 kms and 500 m vertical climb from the Snowy River crossing).

This trail continues to undulate downhill through forest, with spectaular views across to the east. After about 2km turn sharply right onto the Botherum Trail, which is signposted but easy to miss as you descend, located 300 m before a bridge crossing over a creek at the bottom of the descent. If you come to this bridge, you have come too far!

Follow this trail east through the open grass Botherum Plain and over the Gungarlin River, where you may get wet feet. The trail continues past the large boulder on your right known as Kalkite Rock, then up over a small rise and through Kalkite Gap before the descent - 600 m vertical over 7 kms - towards Lake Jindabyne. Take great care, as sections of this descent are deeply rutted.

You are heading directly towards the start of the race at North Kalkite Boat Ramp on the opposite shore. Turn right about 500 m before the lake and follow a faint trail south through mostly open grassland to finish at Snowy River Beach, opposite Waste Point. A ferry service will transport cyclists to Creel Bay and your waiting support crews.

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description
Leg 12	Run 5 km	Course Description

View full article »

The final leg of the Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic is a celebration - an almost-flat lope around the lakeshore mostly on a fast concrete cycle path, finishing on the modern equivalent of the town common. Please note that runners MUST carry their own water or other replacement fluid.

View and download this course on Garmin Connect.

	From Wollondibby Inlet, follow the dirt track around the shoreline til you reach the Marine Rescue HQ alongside the car park for the Sailing Club. Continue along this track following above and parallel with the car park. Turn LEFT to cross this road – taking care to llok out for traffic in both directions as you cross. Continue on this track, whcih will turn RIGHT into the caravan park. Look for the blue sign: "Snowline Caravan Park, Access to Bike and Walking Track to Jindabyne." This is your track.
Cross the wooden ramp through this entrance to the caravan park, and onto the concrete bike/walking track which leads all the way around the foreshore in front of town.
	Eventually you will pass the Count Strzelecki Monument and into the finish chute and cheering crowds in Banjo Patterson Park.

sri_chinmoy_multisport_classic_leg12

For detailed course descriptions and maps of other legs, select from the list below.

Leg 1	Swim 1.5 km	Course Description
Leg 2	Paddle 9 km	Course Description
Leg 3	Run 6 km	Course Description
Leg 4	Mountain Bike 8 km	Course Description
Leg 5	Swim 2.5 km	Course Description
Leg 6	Paddle 5km	Course Description
Leg 7	Mountain Bike 9 km	Course Description
Leg 8	Run 12.5 km	Course Description
Leg 9	Mountain Bike 42.8 km	Course Description
Leg 10	Swim 1.2 km	Course Description
Leg 11	Paddle 9.5 km	Course Description