Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles
7th April 2000
| 1. | Rob McConnochie | 4:21:10 |
| 1. | Richard Jourdain | 4:21:10 |
| 2. | Max Gibbs | 4:42:35 |
| 3. | Kelvin Marshall | 5:06:51 |
| 4. | Geoff Hook | 5:59:07 |
Rob Davis D.N.F. 42km
Race Report by Kevin Cassidy
Ideal conditions greeted the 6 hardy souls that fronted up at Frankston’s Davey Street corner and it was a privilege to welcome two fine South African athletes [now living in Australia] in Rob McConnochie and Richard Jourdain who were using this event as training for the Comrades Marathon. The low key nature of this event always guarantees that several other local runners are on the start line to run the first 10 or 20km as their Sunday training run.
As I had the role of being “Race Director” for this self help, go-as-you-please event, I thought I should at least look the part by having the obligatory clipboard under my left arm and stopwatch around the neck as I mentioned the word “GO”.
For the first 25km Kelvin led the field narrowly from Max while Rob and Richard, running together, settled in about a kilometre back. Also cruising and enjoying himself was Rob Davis while the incomparable Geoff Hook was bringing up the rear many kilometres behind. In fact, Hookie got so far behind that keeping track of him required some rather lengthy drives. I may have to hit him with an “Excess fuel bill”!!!
Up front, Kelvin was running without assistance so I pulled up beside him at 28km and offered him some water that I had for any emergency use, Kelvin scoffed down a 24 ounce bottle in a flash and admitted that 28km without a drink was going to catch up with him. I did my best to keep up the water supply to Kelvin but I was unable to be with him for the entire time, Max soon took over the lead and looked unbeatable before he too hit the wall due, by his own admission, to a lack of training. The South African duo of Rob and Richard soon cruised to the lead to finish together in an excellent time before running back to Sorrento to make up the 60km that they had planned to do for the day.
Meanwhile, back up the highway, Kelvin was walking and managed to keep a few locals amused when he headed into the Sorrento shopping centre and scoffed down a large bottle of coke at the local grocery store before completing the final 5km. Rob Davis, never having attempted to run this far before, decided to call it a day at the Rye Pier [42km]. It was great to see you running Rob and I hope you will be back again next year.
After what seemed an eternity, Geoff Hook came into view and what a sight he was with a pair of secateurs in one hand and a large garden rake in the other, he looked like he had just completed a TV segment on “Burkes Backyard!!” He explained that, as he was running past the manicured gardens of the million dollar Portsea homes, he found these gardening implements on the road side and intended to put them to good use.
In keeping with tradition, all finishers received their block of Cadbury chocolate as well as a newly initiated award of a mirror with “Frankston to Portsea Finisher” printed on the top. I thought the mirrors were very appropriate because any one who would want to run all the way down the peninsula to Portsea needs to have a good hard look at themselves !!!! The story does not end there, I was in my local Two Dollar Shop the previous day buying their complete stock of mirrors when the checkout girl asked “Pardon me for prying, but what are you going to do with so many mirrors?”, “Stick them on my bedroom ceiling” I said straight faced.
The 29th Frankston to Portsea event has a likely date of Sunday 8th April 2001 with a 7am start at the Davey st./Nepean Highway corner. Everyone is welcome to experience the various traditions and unique atmosphere that encompasses this April tradition on the Mornington Peninsula. No pre-entries are needed, just turn up on the day and etch your name into the Frankston to Portsea history by having a run.