Well as I have said too many the lead up to this marathon has been a little different than normal and my training regime has not been what I would have liked it to have been.
One of the most significant things to occur in the first half of the year was that the charity I am raising money for (The Black Dog Institute) was the nominated charity for the PCRG Gold Marathon campaign. There was tremendous support for this charity by all the members of PCRG and there family, friends and supporters. By the conclusion of the campaign we had raised almost $26,000. Hopefully this will go a long way in helping the research of the disease. It was a mighty and selfless effort by many people.
Now the Outback Marathon.
Well there is plenty of red dirt out there and one big rock. There was a large contingent from the USA as well Denmark and I think one guy from Bolivia or Columbia. In all about 90 people competed in the marathon and about 100 people in the ½ marathon on the weekend.
The marathon commenced at 8am on the 31st of July and the temperature was about 4 degrees but bearable. It was an interesting course and demanding in parts. The surfaces were all different and included corrugated dirt, soft sand dunes, gravel road and sealed bitumen. Overall it wasn’t that bad a course. The back half of the course had sand dunes, soft sand and a head wind. All of which you need on the back half of a course, particularly on the second lap.
I completed the course in 4.50hr and this was in the range in which I had hoped to finish. I would recommend this marathon to those looking to run somewhere different.
Later that afternoon I turned down the opportunity to see the sunset as I really had seen enough of that big rock whilst running in the desert that day. After seeing photos of the sunset I now wish that I had gone and seen it. Never mind I sathe sunrise the next day.
So Pat and I went and saw a sunrise on the following morning and this was a spectacular sight and I came away thinking I can understand how the local people can hold such a large rock in such spiritual and cultural significance..
Anyway thanks for the donations and enjoy the photos.
