Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles
3rd April 2005
| 1. | Mike Wheatley | 3:57:27 |
| 2. | Mary Morgan [F] | 4:32:25 |
| 3. | Max Gibbs | 4:39:22 |
| 4. | Peter Bignell | 4:56:06 |
| 5. | David Spencer | 5:27:44 |
| 6. | Steve Hyde | 5:27:45 |
| 7. | Julia Thorn [F] | 5:29:59 |
| 8. | Don Carlson | 5:44:36 |
| 9. | Mick Worthington | 6:02:44 |
| 10. | Ben Cotter | 6:05:44 |
| 11. | Garry Wise | 6:07:27 |
| 12. | Jane Sturzaker [F] | 6:09:44 |
| 13. | James Grant | 6:16:55 |
| 14. | Andrew Herman | 6:39:01 |
| 15. | George Thomas | 6:43:20 |
| 16. | David Jones | 6:58:33 |
| 17. | Paul Spencer | 7:04:55 |
| 18. | Greg Wishart | 9:05:25 |
Sandra Howorth [F] 30km 4:11:36 [Moats Corner to Portsea]
Warren Holst DNF
Sani Badic DNF
Race Report by Kevin Cassidy
I guess there is no escaping the modern technology that is taking over the world. Prior to the run, I was inundated with calls from a variety of companies offering me computer chip timing, laser beamed recording devices, electronic race numbers and a whole host of other dazzling “new world” inventions along with the usual canvassing from those who supply cups, tents, bunting etc. Clearly, the competition is fierce in the sports technology market. I took each call with a polite chuckle as I explained that our little low key run has, for some 33 years, managed quite well with the 70’s style method of a hand held stop watch and hand written results on completion!
A record field of 21 starters had me overwhelmed as the car park filled to the brim with runners, cars and a variety of helpers/crew. My own chance of running quickly flew out the proverbial door as an unprecedented level of assistance was need on the course. Amongst the field were a number of runners warming up for the Coburg 24 Hour event in a fortnight, two runners from Bendigo and Ballarat respectively with another two visitors all the way from Bunbury on the West Coast, one of which just happened to be Mary Morgan. Mary spent most of the 90’s representing Australia as she matched it with the World’s best 100km runners. Without doubt, Mary is the highest credentialed runner to have graced this event. Poor Mary and Don Carlson had the extreme misfortune of having Geoff Hook as their crew and much to their consternation, were risking their lives by allowing him to drive them to the Airport for the flight home the next day!
A flurry of activity saw runners preparing and dumping their nominal five dollar entry fee in my trusty ice cream container. Max Gibbs once again proved his status as a world class cheapskate by handing me a bag of five cent coins! I shall get even with the old sod one day!! Max may have legend status as a ten time Frankston to Portsea runner but he can’t even claim to be the best runner in his own street. That title goes to his newly acquired neighbour, World 400 Metre Hurdle Champion, Jana Pittman.
The original inspiration for this run dates back to the late 50’s and 60’s when the eccentric coach, Percy Cerruty, would drive his band of world class athletes to Frankston and have them run back to his Portsea camp. Athletes travelled from around the globe to seek the coaching secrets at Portsea that had produced so many World Records. Mixing it at Portsea at the time was a teenager by the name of Neil Padley who ran the course solo a number of times in the mid 60’s. Neil is no longer a teenager but had travelled down from Queensland with the intention of running, only to have injury put such plans on hold for at least another year. The previous night, Neil had me totally enthralled with stories of his days under Percy’s coaching. The Spartan lifestyle, the gut busting workouts, rubbing shoulders with so many World Record holders and Percy’s cajoling style that extracted so much from his runners. 40 Years later, Neil still gets a tear in his eye when he discusses what Percy meant to him and the influence he had upon his life. In 2005, it was our honour to have Neil as our “Guest Starter”
In persistent drizzle, Neil mentioned the word “Go” and the run was underway. Ahead lay 55 kilometres of bitumen road with the traditional finisher’s block of chocolate waiting at Portsea. I was intending to purchase the chocolate further down the road but when I pulled into the local Caltex service station for a newspaper, I was pleasantly surprised to see chocolate available on a two for one special. “Can I have 22 blocks of Cadbury please?” I asked, much to the bemusement of the cashier behind the counter. Upon explaining their use, I had an elderly man behind me chirp in with “I’d want more than just chocolate if I ran to Portsea……..I think I’d need a young blonde giving mouth to mouth” he laughed. With such a mood of merriment permeating the shop, I was able to offload all those pesky little silver coins that Max Gibbs had inflicted upon me. I don’t know what it is, but every time I see a purple Cadbury wrapper, it reminds me of Julius Sumner Miller and those ridiculous commercials from 20 years ago. “A glass and a half” he would enthuse to the kids in his craggy voice. Climbing back into my car, I discovered two voicemail messages just 30 seconds apart. The first was from Kelvin Marshall saying that he was running late but hoped to be able to catch a few runners along the way…….this was followed by Kelvin again, “I’ve changed my mind and am turning around to go to the Geelong Half Marathon”. And so we didn’t see Kelvin.
Runners had well and truly stretched out in the first 20 kilometres with Mike Wheatley and Sani Badic going head to head at the front of the field with seasoned veteran, Greg Wishart, bringing up the tail. Despite the rain, it was still quite muggy and keeping up the water supply was an unrelenting job for our trusty band of helpers in Ian Clarke, Sandra Stewart and Ross Shilston. Ultimately, I was to spend my time at the front of the field and was unable to see what was going on back down the highway which was a disappointment of sorts as this is usually where most of the action takes place. With Sani suffering an injury inflicted retirement, Mike was suddenly alone in front.
In all honesty, I don’t think there is any more pathetic a sight than that of the male mid life identity crisis. This was rammed home to me when I seized the chance to sneak into the Rye liquormart to grab a couple of bottles of wine for our respective winners. I propped patiently at the counter behind what was clearly a male of the oddest form. Aged at least 50, he had bleached curly hair, a spray on tan, several ear rings and a red shirt with “Supercar Racing Team” or some such wacko name, emblazoned across the back. Everyone in the shop was viewing him with much mirth but when I saw him later in the car park getting into a bright red sports convertible with “COOL-1” on his registration plate, I had to buckle up laughing. All he needed was “Look at me, I’m a Tosser” tattooed on his forehead to complete the sad picture.
With much relief, the drizzling rain relented but only to allow a strong wind to kick up. The wind got stronger…and stronger…and stronger.
Standing roadside at the 45km point was what the runners considered to be a gift from above. Brendan Mason had arrived to cheer everyone on and had a small esky full of icy poles. Brendan stayed for several hours and assisted all who came by. I know you will read this, Brendan, so let me tell you that you’re a legend and a half. Hopefully you’ll return next year in running gear and toe the line in Frankston.
By the time I arrived at the finish to await Mike Wheatley’s arrival, the wind was so strong that I could barely stand still without falling over. Given that the last 12 kilometres was run directly into the gale that refused to relent in the most unsporting of fashions, running was substantially more difficult than usual.
Mike stormed home to a big win with Mary Morgan outright second……and then they all started arriving. David Spencer and Steve Hyde staged an exciting sprint finish just ahead of Julia Thorn. Julia almost joined the “Cheapskate Club” with Max Gibbs by not paying her five dollar entry but managed to save face when her long suffering husband, Dennis, forked out a purple note at Portsea.
Peter Bignell put up a top first up run and the ever smiling Ben Cotter was amongst a group of five separated by just minutes. Ben even sent a thank you e-mail to all who assisted him on the day. Another highlight was the run of Andrew Herman who was needing a qualifier for the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Andrew could not stop smiling after achieving his goal with over 30 minutes to spare.
The buzz of activity at the finish soon started vanishing as our course officials [Ross, Sandra and Ian] began ferrying runners back to Frankston. In almost an instant, the area was deserted and I was standing alone waiting for Greg Wishart who was still two hours away. The foul weather had ruined any chance of a tranquil sunset so I sat under a tree staring into space. Out of nowhere, a tall thin woman suddenly appeared and stared down her nose at me asking “Do you know when the bus arrives down here?” “No Idea” I said without a pause. Without a further word, she disappeared down the road. She sure did look peculiar with her head bent back as if she was worried that her eyes might fall out of her head. She vanished in such a manner that I felt as if I was in an episode of the Twilight Zone. With the day quickly fading, Greg arrived and piled straight into my passenger seat upon which we hit the road without haste for the journey home.
We’ll be back again in April 2006