2010 BUSH CAPITAL BUSH MARATHON FESTIVAL NEWSLETTER
ENTRANTS
The number of entrants is climbing towards 400. The event website is http://www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au/events/bmarathon
A listing of pre-entered competitors to date can be found by clicking on the online entry button.
The race favourite for the marathon is outstanding long distance trail runner Alex Matthews, a medical doctor who smashed the course record last year with 2.46.08. Outstanding veteran Susan Archer is female race favourite. Former world rogaining champions David Baldwin and Julie Quinn are notable starters in the 60 kms, but race favourite is last year’s runner up, Damian Smith from the South Coast, who finished just 1 minute ahead of David Baldwin in 3rd place.
Legendary former world veteran champion Trevor Jacobs has moved down in distance to the 16k and he and former Australian mountain running champion Anthony Scott should give last year’s winner Laurie Cullen a run for his money. There is a huge female field with many in contention for fastest finisher.
Canberra Cockatoo orienteering representatives Chris Helliwell and Sandra Oliver will be hard to beat in the 25 kms after many excellent trail running performances in the last 12 months. Australian mountain running champion Vanessa Haverd has just won $5000 taking out the Sydney Tower Run Up and will be a big chance of winning the 10 km race outright.
ACCOMODATION
The closest accomodation to the event is Olims Hotel, 300m down Limestone Avenue from the start/finish. Olim’s Hotel (www.olimshotel.com.au) has had quite a bit of interest from interstate runners (thank you!) and advised today of the following race weekend special:
“We have a great weekend special which is $125 Bed Breakfast Movie deal – in a superior room for 2 with full buffet breakfast and unlimited movies from a great selection. This is also available as a family deal in our deluxe loft for 2 adults and 2 children for $175.”
The hotel has donated two prizesof overnight accommodation for 2 or a family of 2 adults and 2 children on the (value $199) Dinner Bed and Breakfast package, with 2 main meals and 2 kids meals with complimentary soft drink per child and full buffet breakfast in the morning.
V.I.P. STARTER
The VIP race starter for all events from 7.30am to 12 noon will be Australia’s greatest ever ultra distance runner, Martin Fryer from Canberra, who won the World 48 Hour Championship in France on 22 – 24 May 2009 with the incredible distance of 433.686 km. Only the Greek legend Yiannis Kouros has run further in 48 hours. In September 2009 Martin won the inaugural Commonwealth 24 hour Championship in a Commonwealth record of 255.934 kms.
CHEST NUMBERS
Chest numbers are being mailed out on Monday. When you finish, make sure your chest number, name and distance completed recorded, then take the chest number to the registration tent and collect your race mug. Deposit your chest number in the barrel draw box for a chance of winning an accomodation package at Olims Hotel.
To assist the race photographer and finish recorder, please wear the chest number fully visible on the front of the chest clothing.
T SHIRTS ORDERED
These will be available at the registration tent for collection.
WEATHER http://www.bom.gov.au/act/forecasts/canberra.shtml
The current forecast is
Thursday Rain periods. Min 3 Max 13
Friday Windy, showers. Min 5 Max 14
Saturday Windy, showers. Min 3 Max 12
Sunday Windy, showers. Min 2 Max 11
Please check the updates closer to race day & come prepared for possible rain and wet conditions. The events will still be on if it is raining.
REFRESHMENT STATIONS
At the refreshment stations (see the map on the website) there will be water, Gatorade sports drink, lollies such as jubes, snakes and jelly beans. At the further out stations there will also be plain salted chips and fruit cake for the 25k, 42k and 60k participants.
PARKING ON RACE DAY
We don’t want to upset the War Memorial by filling up their car park which can be busy on a Saturday with visitors to the Memorial. Preferably park in the Campbell High School car park, in Treloar Cres or in Euree Street, Reid at Reid Oval (only 150m from the start/finish).
TOILET AND SHOWER FACILITIES
There are male and female change rooms with toilets and showers for the Campbell High school gymnasium, located diagonally across the sports fields from the start/finish area at the corner of Treloar Crescent and Limestone Avenue. You can leave gear in the gym while the race is on; a security officer is on duty all day. There will also be 3 portaloos near the registration tent. The school facilities are provided free by the school and we cannot guarantee unfortunately that showers will be hot.
CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL SECURITY SYSTEM
We only have access to the gym area and change rooms. All other areas of the school have security alarm sensors on. Please don’t set the alarm off by walking next to the school buildings.
SPORTS MEDICINE SUPPORT
There will be two Sports Medicine ACT trainers who can provide assistance to anyone who suffers an injury during the event.
COURSE CHANGES SINCE 2009
Courses are the same as in 2009 except for the 60 km ultra where the long bitumen section along Mulligans Flat Road has been replaced by an off road trail within Mulligans Flat reserve and dirt road and footpath route top the turnaround point at the Mulligans Flat reserve carpark off Amy Ackman Road in the new suburb of Forde. The total GPS distance is 60.4kms.
CHANGING YOUR RACE DISTANCE
If you find on race day that you are not having a good day, you can change to a shorter distance (eg. from 25k to 16k, or 60k to marathon) but you MUST inform the race recorder as you cross the finish line of the correct distance completed.
FINISH
We are trying to speed up results processing and the presentations of awards this year by having separate finish tables for each event. When you finish please go to the identified finish table for the event you have completed. If you enter the 25k and decide along the way to shorten to 16k, please go to the 16k table. Please ensure your chest number is recorded correctly and name if there isn’t a queue.
RESULTS
The Bush Capital Bush Marathon Festival is wholly organised by volunteers who have real jobs and are doing this in their spare time. We try to keep entry fees low and do not hire an electronic chip company for timing. However, this means it can take a couple off days to process and double check the results before publishing. Please be patient and don’t post complaints on forums such as Coolrunning about the delay in getting out the final complete results. The new finish system will let you know your race placing and most of you these days have a timer on your watch or GPS unit.
PRESENTATIONS
Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third fastest males and females in each running race. Presentations of these will be done as soon as most competitors finish each race. If a placegetter cannot wait this long, please see the race organisers to collect your trophy before you depart.
WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY BEFORE RACE DAY
I will be out on the course for most of the last few days before race day ensuring it is fully marked with arrows, kilometre signs etc. And each evening until late doing last minute liaison with helpers, updating the race day entry lists, packing gear etc. So please avoid phoning or emailing queries during this period unless absolutely necessary. Detailed event information is on the website.
HELPERS
e are still looking for extra helpers at the ultra turnaround drink station and in the start/finish area, especially after 12.30 when most of those working all morning have to leave. So if you have a spouse/friend who would like to help out while waiting for you to come in, please contact me on hackettrunner at hotmail.com
RACE RECORDS
2k
Males Rowan Dunkley 9.17
Females Lauren Robards 9.55
5k
Males James Barker 17.02
Females Veronica Wallington 20.08
10k
Males Gavin Williams 38.52
Females Angela Bateup 38.43
16k
Males Martin Dent 51.19
Females Emily Brichachek 59.44
25k
Males Vince Craig 1.37.45
Females Angela Bateup 1.42.51
42.2k
Males Alex Matthews 2.46.08
Females Elizabeth Bennett 3.16.50
60k
Males David Singleton 4.24.03
Females Jackie Fairweather 4.47.13
NEXT EVENTS
Keep in mind our next major events which have both run and bush walk options: Mt Majura Vineyard One, Two and Three Peaks (October), Deep Space Mountain Marathon events (November), Tour de Mountain (December) and Orroral Valley Classic (January). See http://www.coolrunning.com.au/calendar/public_html/2010/2010e053.pdf
and http://www.coolrunning.com.au/calendar/public_html/2010/2010e052.pdf
Helpers are needed for all these events.
John Harding
Race Director