Last weekend saw Bill, Macca, Haze and Parso make the annual pilgrimage to Red Rock for another running of this great event. Arriving on Saturday, an inspection of the beach validated the weather forecast of east to north easterly breezes - a far cry from the usual southerly buster that we normally run into. What do they say about an ill wind? Up north Ului was set to wreak havoc.
Saturday in the Red Wok at the Bowlo we enjoyed a good chinese feed before Parso embarrassed everyone with the worst display of pool ever witnessed at this venue. We understand he's not allowed in the club until next year.
At the 6am start on Sunday a further good weather omen was an ebb tide with low due at 8:30am meaning there should be plenty beach from which to choose the firmest sand. Haze and Parso ran the full course with Macca and Bill teaming up to run half each. Macca planned to stay with Parso and treat the run as training but of course he got a sniff of blood within the first few ks, soon joined the leaders and that was the last we saw of him until the change over at Sandy's Beach.
Parso caught Bill at Moonee Creek where Bill struggled through the water chest deep trying to keep his Garmin dry.
Beach conditions while much better than previous years still include plenty of soft sand but for the front runners there was just enough room for a well timed run between some of the headland rocks and the incoming surf after the tide turned. Later on the only option was to climb further up the rocks as the day wore on.
Parso ran most of the way with Kevin Duncan whom he'd met at the Glasshouse Flinders 50k last year. Maccas earlier do or die sprint burnt all the leaders out bar one so with a place in sight Parso hung on grimly to finally lose Kevin not far from the finish. Kevin might be at Washpool next month in the 50k and we hope he's not out for revenge.
Everyone finished with excellent times and both Bill and Macca enjoyed their first experience of this course. We are already talking about next year, probably sticking with the teams option in future. This is an iconic event in a pristine beach environment and the whole weekend is laid back fun. Thanks again to Steel and Lyne and all the volunteers.
Coincidentally we ran into Jeff and Debbie S at the finish who were enjoying a slow trip back up the coast to home and hopefully we'll see them again at the cross country next month.
Pencil in this weekend next year, generally right after 6 foot. It's brilliant.
W.R.A.T.S. POOLSIDE WATER WORLD GREAT OCEAN RUN, 2010.
RESULTS (MALE) Dagroed Hilland 3.37.48, 1; Mark Parsonson 3.53.38, 2; Kevin Duncan 3.59.05, 3; Kelvin Marshall 4.06.55, 4; Grant Czartowski 4.13.35, 5; Peter O’Sullivan 4.23.11, 6; Daniel Frahn 4.24.00, 7; Michael Smart 4.24.01, 8; Steve Hayes 4.29.20, 9; Matt Nolan 4.38.10, 10; Paul Cooper & John Rose 4.38.37, =11; Peter McKenzie 4.40.03, 13; Joe Mollica 4.40.07, 14; Bob Beer 5.02.43, 15; Bomber Hutchinson 5.08.00, 16; Rob Downton 5.23.25, 17; Bill Wollin 5.26.25, 18; Derek Morrall 5.31.33, 19; Chris Cohen 5.44.28, 20; Grant Sawtell 5.52.11, 21; Glen Duggan 6.00.11, 22; Paul Mugridge 6.17.30, 23; Gary Barton 6.35.55, 24; Alan Cossey 7.12.17, 25; Peter Gray 8.59.11, 26.
(FEMALE) Angie Grattan 5.08.18, 1; Ruth Tutton 5.13.18, 2; Suzy Smith 5.28.37, 3; Diane Holt 5.48.33, 4; Sally Teniker 5.58.16, 5; Robina Unwin 6.28.20, 6; Jenni Williams 6.29.29, 7; Tracy Austin 6.33.00, 8; Diana McKenzie 6.52.31, 9; Amanda Mugridge 7.12.16, 10; Beryl Kemp 8.47.38, 11.
TEAMS (MIXED) Carol Coburn & Tony Kean 4.13.39, 1; Peter O’Sullivan & Stephanie O’Connor 4.23.11, 2; Bomber Hutchinson & Lesley Magann 5.02.35, 3. (MALE) Bill Buchan & Ian McKee 4.26.51, 1.
