Author: Artsystems

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

30th March 1996

1.

Kevin Cassidy*

4:44:44

*No one else turned up!!!!

Race Report by Kevin Cassidy

This race is probably Australia’s longest running ultra, having been first run in about 1973. It has always been a low key event [Someone says “go” and you make your way to the finish] averaging 10-12 starters. This year, however, was to be as low key as you could get when I was the one and only starter.

The Peninsula Road Runners had left it too late to include the date in “Ultramag’ and family and injury reasons kept the regular Peninsula runners from turning up. I was not surprised to be sitting in the early morning darkness of the Davey St. car park waiting for someone to arrive. Soon after, Ross Shilston appeared and said “I think you’re it” So off I went with Ross running the first few miles with me before heading home for breakfast. Ross promised to meet me at the finish. “Allow me about 5 hours”, I said as he disappeared.

As far as road races go, this is a fairly tough course, but it is varied and interesting. The first half is continual undulations with a few long climbs as it takes you through Mornington and some of the rural parts of the Peninsula. The second half takes you onto the flat beach road through the many beachside towns on a road that is both narrow and busy. I was constantly jumping into the gravel to avoid the traffic. I went past the marathon point at the Rye Pier where a large fellow was yelling at his dog as it hid under some bushes with its tail between its legs. The road starts undulating again at this point and the surrounding vegetation changes as you get closer to the end of the peninsula. With about 7km to go, I climbed up the road past the Early Settlers’ Graves when Ross re-appeared. He told me I was too young to be an early settler so I would just have to keep running.

On I went, through the picturesque town of Sorrento where I glanced over at the Aquarium Seaside Cafe and looked forward to the lunch I would be eating there in about an hours time. The undulations continued through the million dollar homes to the Portsea Gates where I stopped the clock at 4:44:44 in my 44th ultra [there must be an omen there somewhere].
Ross handed me the traditional block of chocolate and promised me a certificate [I am still waiting!!]
Later in the day, I received a phone call from the incomparable Peter Armistead. “Congratulations on your fine win”, he said sarcastically. “They tell me you defeated a crack field”, he laughed.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

1st April 1995

1.	Kevin Cassidy	4:47:08
2.	Peter Armistead	5:08:53
3.	Kevin Walsh	5:09:20
4.	Geoff Womersley	5:15:51
5.	Phil Dodin	5:19:44

Report from unknown source but most likely someone from Peninsula Road Runners.

Peter Armistead led out with Kevin Cassidy not far back.

Kevin began catching Peter coming into Rosebud and took over the lead at 35km as Peter faded.

Kevin strode to the finish in first place.

Kevin Walsh almost caught Peter in the final stages with Geoff Womersley and Phil Dodin finishing fourth and fifth of the eight starters.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

9th April 1994

1.	Brian Simmons	3:52:25
2.	Ian Clarke	3:53:49
3.	Max Gibbs	4:24:51
4.	Liz Feldman [F]	5:17:20
5.	Geoff Hook	5:47:05

Peter Armistead DNF

Report from unknown source but most likely someone from Peninsula Road Runners.

Brian Simmons and Ian Clarke went head to head for most of the way with Brian pulling away in the final stretch from Sorrento to win narrowly.

Local runner, Max Gibbs ran alone for almost the entire distance in a solid performance.

Liz Feldman and Geoff Hook ran together for most of the way before Geoff hit a bit of a wall and slowed over the final 13km from Rye.

Peter Armistead ran solidly before calling it a day somewhere between Rosebud and Rye

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

3rd April 1993

1.	Mike Wheatley	3:56:19
2.	Max Gibbs	4:31:47
3.	Peter Gray	5:11:45

Kevin Cassidy D.N.F.
Ross Shilston D.N.F.

Report by Dot Browne

At the ungodly hour of lam, only 5 runners turned up at the Frankston Post Office to put their reputations on the line. They were: Mike “King Willy” Wheatley, Kev “Mr.Bean” Cassidy , Peter “Graypower” Gray, “Mad Max” Gibbs and Ross “Spider” Shilston. What a motley lot! All the rest of the regular runners, like all the “normal” ones, were on the sidelines, injured. Two of them followed the race, whimping out on bikes. They were Geoff Hook and Peter Armistead. (You know Pete. He’s the one who insists on singing “Loveliest Night of the Year” when he’s sunk a few).


Well anyway, the race got started with “Big Al.” Witt and Dot Browne following along, providing 5km delicacies, such as smoked oysters, caviare, red salmon, top shelf red, Tasmanian oysters and water. Peter Gray went through the first 5km in 22 minutes choosing the water, closely followed by 2 elderly gentlemen on bikes and the rest of the bunch running together and going through at 23.03 minutes.


At 10km, Peter Armistead was leading the field by 800 metres, looking impressive on bike. He went through in 43 min. Peter Gray was still leading the runners, clocking in at 46 mins.. Hookie was hanging back on bike, saving himself.
At 15km, “King Willy” Wheatley had caught “Graypower”, with Kev looking good in 3rd spot. “Spider” Shilston, being a desperate from way back, was lagging 50metres behind, with a cute blond on his tail. “I think I’ll wait for her”, states Ross. “Any excuse for slowing up! Get GOING, you slack bastard!” encourages Witty from the sidelines. Max was last.


20km saw Mike Wheatley being VERY unsociable and clearing out at Ihr.3lmin. leaving the others for dead. “Graypower” still in 2nd, “Mr.Bean” 3rd and “Mad Max” 4th. Pete Armistead on bike with a sore bum , came in next. “Jeez you’re goin’ bad when you get beaten by the runners Pete!” says Witty. “Yeah, but I’m beating Roscoe.That’s the main thing”, replies Pete. Meanwhile, looking totally stuffed, shuffled in Roscoe. “I’m pulling out”, he states flatly. “The blond chick turned off’. “What a pathetic effort! “states Pete. “Dunny Seat Award for you mate”, adds Big Al. “It’s becoming a habit, this DNFing business you know. That’s the second time in 20 years!”. Pete consoled him by stating “Do you realize Ross that that’s the earliest anyone’s EVER quit in this race in the whole history of the event? – Like that’s 20 years!”


At 25km, Mike Wheatley was still sprinting and being more unsociable. Pete rode in next and immediately fell off his bike, lying prone in the grass. “Give’im mouth to mouth Marg”, says Big Al.
“That’ll make him sit up” . It did. At lhr. 56min Kev and Peter Gray came in together, both looking serious, nobody cracking jokes. Hookie zoomed in on bike next, grabbing a drink and hurling it at the side of Pete’s head, which was now vertical. “Did it go right through?” says Hookie.


30km saw Mike Wheatley sprinting in at 2hrs.09min with the rest of the field not in sight. Kev staggered in eventually, 8 minutes later, not looking all that great, with Max on his heels (looking smug) and Peter Gray just 4 minutes behind them.
At 35km, Mike Wheatley was in an event of his own, Kev was looking worried with Max only
S0metres behind and gaining on him. “Graypower” was still bringing up the rear and tiring, 11 minutes away.


At 40km, Mike was smelling home and sprinting faster, “Big Max” had passed Kev, while Pete was having the odd walk and getting into the jelly beans and Coke.
When the intrepid support crew pulled up at the 50km mark, Mike had gone through hours ago and Mad Max was suffering with cramps and getting a rub from kind-hearted Pete, Ross reckoned that he was comm’ good (in Dot’s car) getting into her lunch, Kev had disappeared and The Hook on bike was nursing “Graypower” along, feeding him water, Coke and jelly beans intravenously.
After half an hour of waiting at the 50km hill in Sorrento, We had to go looking for Kev and found him under a tree way down the road, unable to move. She bundled him into the car and drove him to the end, when he flaked on the grass, looking crook. and basically turning blue. “I bequeath my body to the cat” squeaked Mr.Bean, on his deathbed. He didn’t die. He just reckoned he pulled out to save himself for the mini-golf on the way home.


There was a 40% drop-out rate in this event, two out of five. As Pete says, “What a pathetic effort! “. However the unsociable Mike “King Willy” Wheatley came close to breaking the course record with a solo run of 3hrs.56.19, with Max Gibbs coming in 2nd in 4:31:47 and Peter Gray finishing in 5:11:44. Then it was into Sorrento for bulk fish and chips for lunch and a stretch out on the grass for everybody.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

11th April 1992

1.	Mike Wheatley	4:16:02
1.	Ross Shilston	4:16:02
3.	Kon Butko	4:23:19
4.	Kevin Cassidy	4:27:10
5.	Max Gibbs	4:29:36
6.	Mark King	4:30:00
7.	Geoff Hook	4:39:21
8.	Keith Green	4:40:04
9.	John Harper	4:58:46
10.	Geoff Womersley	4:59:55
11.	Lois Wishart	5:21:25
12.	Greg Wishart	5:21:27

Peter Armistead D.N.F.
P Fraser D.N.F.
Phillip Dodin D.N.F.

Report by Dot Browne


There were 15 starters in this year’s event, conducted by Peninsula Road Runners. They lined up at the Frankston Post Office at lam and the weather was perfect, cool and overcast, with a predicted top temperature of 22 degrees. Kevin Cassidy led the field out of Frankston on the undulating, winding road, and covered the first 5km in 23 minutes. “Slow down!” yelled his wife Margaret on the sidelines, but did he take her advice? Of course not! After all, he was an experienced ultra runner, wasn’t he, and he knew what he was doing. Peter Armistead was hot on his trail (Pete can’t help himself either!), with Hookie running well in third position. A motley bunch of Peninsula Road Runner boys (including Ross Shilston and Kon Butko plus three first timers, Max Gibbs, Mike Wheatley and Mark King) started off conservatively and came through next. Keith Green, John Harper, Geoff Womersley and Greg and Lois Wishart were next through, looking good. (They tell me that John Harper had started off 10km earlier than the start to “warm up” for the 12 Hour event in 3 weeks time)

By 10km Pete Armistead had hit the front in 47 min. with Kevin right on his tail, Hookie still in third. And in fact the placings remained the same for the first half of the race, with the lead see-sawing between Cassidy and Armistead, who were both looking more and more determined (and stuffed!)

By 30km along the flat beach road, the bunch had reeled Hookie in and the leaders were still shoulder to shoulder ahead and not wasting time on refreshments. Both were looking decidedly hot and bothered. “They’ll blow up!” stated Shilston confidently. “We’ll cream’em!” When Pete Armistead was told what Shilston was going to do to him, he grunted, “Cocky little bastard!”

Another 5km saw Pete Armistead fading fast and looking for excuses to walk. Dot Browne provided the perfect one with her card-table of jelly beans, cold potatoes , water and Coke. He was history. Kev had a 100m. lead and had started rehearsing his victory speech. Shilston’s smile was getting wider. Alan Witt jumped into the race to run with Hookie and try and get him going. He had limited success.

By 40km Kev had a 300m lead but the PRR bunch had caught Pete. Ross Shilston in the bunch was looking relaxed and confident. Another couple of km. and Kev looked over his shoulder and got a hell of a fright to find the bunch within sight.

By 45km Pete was walking and looking for somewhere to lie down and die, and the bunch had passed Kev, with Kon Butko going like a train, just ahead of Shilston. The first-time ultra runners, Mike Wheatley, Max Gibbs and Mark King were coping really well, although looking tired. Hookie, back in the field was stuffed and Alan Witt’s jokes were going down like a lead balloon.

By 50km Pete had died in the back of Dot Browne’s support car and was into the cups of tea and rolls and Kev was taking extended walks, and eating heaps of jelly beans. Shilston had picked up Butko and was 200m in the lead and was smelling victory. Kon was complaining of shin soreness and looking a bit ragged. Hookie was into the power bars and cold potatoes and surviving. Newcomer, Mike Wheatley was running a blinder and staying with the leader.

Then it was up that tough little pinch into Sorrento and over the roller coaster hills to the end of Nepean Highway at the Army Depot. to finish. Thanks to the Peninsula Road Runners for another successful event and congratulations to that cocky little bastard Ross Shilston and Mike Wheatley, who tied for first place. Organisers were pleased that all 12 finishers came in well under the 6 hour cut-off time and they all collected a block of chocolate for their efforts and an invitation to lunch at the Portsea Hotel.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

6th April 1991

1.	Paul Patton	4:03:14
2.	Brickley Hepburn	4:20:24
3.	Tony Franklin	4:22:44
4.	Joe Skrobalac	4:30:08
5.	Kevin Cassidy	4:32:43
6.	Kon Butko	4:53:04
7.	J. Contento	4:53:25
8.	Geoff Hook	4:53:31
9.	Terry Cox (Jnr)	4:53:39
10.	Alan Witt	4:53:46
11.	Phillip Dodin	4:57:04
12.	Geoff Womersley	5:03:12
13.	Peter Gray	5:09:06
14.	M. Dixon	5:20:28
15.	George Perdon	5:31:56
16.	Jim Wolstencroft	5:35:23
17.	Norm Johnston	6:00:00

Michael Whiteoak D.N.F.

Report by Dot Browne

Conditions for this year’s race were ideal with a predicted temperature of 22 degrees. The race started punctually at 7am but runners were upset within minutes by a dog being hitright beside them on the road. The animal was quickly taken to the vet. We hope it survived.

However, it seemed that Paul Patton [last year’s winner] was not too disconcerted by the incident because he took off at 100 miles an hour, leaving the rest of the field for dead and went through the first 5km in 19:30 and the marathon distance in 2:48. However, Paul said that he faded badly in the last 10km so was about 20 minutes slower than his course record last year.

We must mention one particular runner who deserves to be slated – Peter Armistead. Up to within two days of the race, he made firm promises and a definite commitment to run with Pat Cooper. He would really look after her, he reckoned, just like he “looked after her” at the Six Foot Track last year. Well it seems he has let her down badly again. He just didn’t front. Reckoned he had an urgent call to lay bricks up at Mansfield. Likely story! Some blokes will do anything to get out of looking after a lady! Pat as so distraught when she heard that she didn’t turn up either! That boy needs to take his own advice and practice more determination, discipline and dedication.

Hookie and Alan Witt [“Brother Half” as we call him] kept each other company the whole way, despite suffering blisters in the last 10km. Al put in a sensational finish along those roller-coaster hills after Hokkie shared one of his magic “Power Bars” from the USA with him. Kon went like the clappers when he realized that the two rogues were so close and finished only 27 seconds ahead of Hookie.

Norm Johnson was a character. He’d started the run with a bulky kit-bag over his shoulder. Lord knows how he intended to run 55km carrying that! I grabbed it off him around 5km and threw it in m y car but at 10km, he wanted it back again. He had a present in it for one of his old flames, apparently – roses and the whole bit! Said she lived not far off the course and he was going to drop it off during the race! Fancy waiting for a race situation to do the big Casanova act! He obviously wanted to make a fast getaway in case she attacked him.

Most of the field finished under five and a half hours, which brought us around to lunch time. A perfect time for all of us to go to the Portsea Hotel nearby for a great meal, sink a few beers and listen to Brother Half Witt’s stories about how he almost cleaned up Butko

Ed. Note: Mick Whiteoak gets the dubious honour of being the first Victorian WUSSIE. After so many years since his last ultra, he should have been as fresh as a daisy. However, he only made it to the marathon point where he was heard to offer the following excuse: “I only run marathons”.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

7th April 1990

1.	Paul Patton	3:42:27
2.	Chris Benn	4:11:34
3.	Kevin Cassidy	4:32:00
4.	Kon Butko	4:33:00
5.	Geoff Womersley	4:53:23
6.	Peter Nelson	4:56:35
7.	Simon Cass	5:03:14
8.	Jan Brimacombe [F]	5:06:21
9.	Alan Witt	5:07:29
10.	Phillip Dodin	5:08:18
11.	Jim Wolstencroft	5:10:05
12.	Martin Dixon	5:14:45
13.	Phil Barnes	5:43:48
14.	Norm Johnston	6:18:22

Cliff Ryan D.N.F.

Report by Kevin Cassidy

It was a fairly mild morning when I arrived at the Davey Street intersection about 30 minutes before starting time. As the place was deserted, I thought that perhaps the race had been cancelled. “Well”, I thought to myself, “I’ll run the course anyway and declare myself the winner”!. However, a quick walk around the corner and I found Laurie and Jan Brimacombe. Jan is a seasoned marathoner and she was fronting up for her first ultra. In a matter of minutes, runners started arriving from all directions. We all threw in $2 to cover the refreshments at the finish and by 7am, the race was boasting a record 15 starters. Many were quite vocal about the fact that President Hook was missing in action.

Mustering on the corner, someone said “GO” and we were away. Paul Patton bolted into the distance never to be seen again, knocking out a new course record whilst Chris Benn and Jim Wolstencroft also broke away and disappeared from view. Kon Butko and myself ran together at the front of the main bunch.
The first 20km was quite demanding with a succession of ups and downs and two difficult hills before leveling out about halfway. I picked up my pace a bit and overtook Jim who was starting to fade, but I decided it would be foolish to chase the two runners ahead of me. The course then took us onto the beach front for a long flat section. I was drinking every 5km and felt good but the traffic was giving me problems. The road was quite narrow at this point.

The final 10km was hard work tackling a series of roller-coaster hills all the way to the finish. I thought I had a comfortable hold on third place, but with less then a kilometer to go, Kon appeared over the hill behind me giving me a hell of a fright. I still finished third, but only just!

At the finish, we received a certificate and block of chocolate. This has occurred over the last few years at the suggestion of Geoff Hook, who, as mentioned previously, was noticeably absent. One by one, runners crossed the line with a special cheer reserved for our final finisher, Norm Johnson. Norm is a real character. During the run, he decided that his bum-bag was becoming a hindrance so he hid it behind a roadside tree. On the car trip back home, we had to stop and search for his bag. It was found intact.

As we left, I mentioned to Kon Butko that I would write a race report. “Well make sure you give Hookie a bagging for not turning up”, he laughed.

Well there you have it, Hookie. The Peninsula Road Runners are eagerly awaiting your reply. Peter Armistead may also try to explain why he whimped out despite being present at the start.

Geoff Hook replies…….

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for your lucid report on the Frankston to Portsea race. You capture the spirit of the start so well. I’m surprised you went ahead with your bagging of me in your report after I was nice enough to put a big photograph of you in our previous issue of the magazine. Maybe you were upset to have me in that same photo alongside or that it was relegated to the back page! I’m deeply offended at the bagging and if this was earlier times, a challenge would be issued [pistols, not running, because you are too good for me now]. So think yourself lucky!

I also take this opportunity to correct a false statement in your report and also explain why I didn’t attend the race. I only suggested certificates, NOT chocolate. And despite what you may think, I believe that running a PB track 100km the next day was a reasonable excuse for not turning up for a Frankston to Portsea run the day before

Your faithful and obedient servant,

Mr Hook.

Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles

1st April 1989

1.	Kon Butko	4:15:00
2.	Peter Gray	4:28:50
3.	Geoff Hook	4:43:05
4.	Peter Armistead	5:12:20
5.	Ron Smith	5:12:20
6.	Phil Barnes	5:52:08
7.	Pat Cooper [F]	6:09:53
8.	Jacques Gaillard	6:31:01

Report by Dot Browne

On April Fools day, eight runners fronted at the Frankston Post Office in the early hours of the morning, all ready to prove how foolish they were in wanting to run the 34 miles [55km] to Portsea with no drink stations, no portable toilets, no support crews, no split times, no police supervision, no nothing. Well, almost nothing. The Peninsula Road Runners, not wanting to spoil them too much, did make a few concessions. They provided them with a time, a block of chocolate and a certificate once they touched the gates of the army camp at the end of the Nepean Highway.

Phil Barnes, Peter Armistead, Jacques Gaillard, Pat Cooper, Peter Gray, Kon Butko, Ron Smith and Geoff Hook were the fools. This certainly was a super casual race, and they loved it. Ross Shilston started them off and Peter Gray took off like a rocket. Nobody saw him for dust until Rosebud, 35km later. He’d been running 20 minute 5kms and left the rest of the field for dead.

Hookie and Kon Butko came next, running together at a more sedate 23 minute per 5km pace, chatting as they ran. Kon picked up the pace once he hit the beach road and overtook Peter Gray at Rosebud before going on to win comfortably in 4:15. Hookie was left in third place finishing in 4:43. Peter Armistead, the blond bricklayer from Frankston, kept the attractive Pat Copper company for the first half but then ungallantly left her for dead. Ron Smith caught Peter and these two rogues then ran together to the finish. Then just to prove they were both genuine April Fools, they stopped for a beer 800 metres from the finish then proceeded to do a U-turn at the end and run all the way back to Frankston, just to cool down!! Peter took over 12 hours to complete the round trip in the dark!!

Phil Barnes was next in followed by Pat Cooper in her first ultra. Jacques Gaillard also did well to finish in his second ultra. Well done, all of you.

It had been a great day. The weather was perfect. The course was interesting and scenic, pleasantly undulating from Frankston through to Mount Eliza with the natural bush lining the road. Then the landscape opened up for a few kilometres before hitting the ti-treed foreshore from Dromana to Sorrento – a long flat road with glimpses of Port Philip Bay on one side and rows of holiday shops on the other.

The final 5km stretch into Portsea was the toughest. Six short, sharp roller-coaster hills which really tested the runners when they were exhausted and looking for the finish. All eight runners finished. I guess the only disappointed one was Peter Armistead. This was to be day one of Mike March’s training program and he had bombed out badly when he only managed to complete half the required mileage with his 110km!!!!

Frankston to Portsea Road Race 55km/34 miles

April 9th 1988

Report by Kon Butko

1.	Alan Farley	4:07:01
2.	Kon Butko	4:18:01
3.	Howard Ross	4:21:41
4.	Phillip Dodin	4:44:20
5.	Peter Armistead	4:47:40
6.	Ken Hough	4:59:40
7.	Reg Williams	5:04:55
8.	Patrick Parsons	5:08:34

At 7am, eight runners set out from Frankston for the 34 mile journey to Portsea. Conditions were ideal although we did get a bit of a head wind.

Alan Farley of Frankston led from start to finish with a four-way tussle amongst Peter Armistead, Phillip Dodin, Howard Ross and Kon Butko for second place.

In the absence of Peter Armistead’s manager [Ross Shilston] who went back home for breakfast after two hours, Peter couldn’t hold himself back and took off after Alan, but suffered a little later. Incidently, Ross is the same manager who fell asleep during the night while managing Peter and Kon Butko on several other ultra runs. These two will need to take a close look at their manager for future races. Maybe they can reverse roles for the next ultra.

Ken Hough, Patrick Parsons and Reg Williams ran steadily together until the last few miles when Ken took off to break five hours.

Now Geoff Hook, we better see you next year since we have supplied certificates as you suggested!

The date will be about the same next year.

Frankston to Portsea Road Race 55km/34 miles

June 6th 1987

Report by Geoff Hook

1.	Paul Patton	3:50:09
2.	Peter Armistead	4:17:40
3.	Les Bradd	4:28:30
4.	Phillip Dodin	4:31:23
5.	Geoff Hook	4:40:51
6.	Cynthia Cameron	4:46:41
7.	Geoff Womersley	4:57:04
8.	Martin Dixon	5:19:22

Doug Le Bas D.N.F.
Chris Le Dieu D.N.F.

The mist hung heavily in the cool morning air as the runners nervously stamped their feet or stretched to keep warm.

Who is silly enough to start in a race at 7am in mid winter at Frankston? Well ten of us were silly enough, along with support crews and the odd seagull in search of the early morsel of food.

This is a do-it-yourself race. There is no entry form, no entry fee, no marshalls, no prizes at the end, no certificates or medallions. However, the race is ably organized and conducted by Peninsula Road Runners [They say “GO” at the start and are sometimes on hand to record finishers].

At least there was no wind to contend with so the running conditions were really ideal. We were slightly wet from mist condensation before we worked up a sweat but no runner felt cold or hot for the duration of the race. Visibility was 100 metres at the start. Paul Patton and Peter Armistead [who pushes people into black snakes when he gets the chance!] quickly disappeared from view. Then came the main bunch of five runners. It was difficult to tell were the other runners were and when the mist lifted a couple of hours later, we were so strung out as to be hidden anyway.

Les Bradd and I agreed to run a time of about five hours so that we would get the benefit of a long run without upsetting our build up to the VMC 50 miler in two weeks. Les, a 2:39 marathon runner, had to be reined back a couple of times as he has no idea of slow running. Consequently, we dropped off the main bunch fairly early.

What a pleasant, uneventful run it was. Overcast skies, beautiful views, good company and jokes, well looked after every 5km by Gary, Les’ friend.

After 35km, either Les sped up or I slowed down and he drifted ahead. I wanted to stay running comfortably and achieved this by finishing well and feeling as though I had only run 10 miles. So much for our five hour run. Cynthia ran well to finish only a few minutes behind. Paul ran an excellent race to be just a couple of minutes off the course record. Peter tried to stay with him but couldn’t hang on.

If only the Peninsula boys would provide certificates for finishers….? We would have greater incentive for our torture.