Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles
Sunday 11th April 2010
| 1. | Magnus Michelsson | 3:45:59 |
| 2. | Brett Stickland | 4:15:33 |
| 3. | Tory Trewhitt | 4:22:21 |
| 4. | Rohan Day | 4:24:53 |
| 5. | Clinton Watson | 4:29:58 |
| 6. | Stuart Elliott | 4:41:05 |
| 7. | Baz Skelton | 4:42:58 |
| 8. | Mick Banfield | 4:43:00 |
| 9. | Carmen Atkinson [F] | 4:45:02 |
| 10. | Toby Wiadrowski | 4:45:06 |
| 10. | Dan Beard | 4:45:06 |
| 12. | Grant Dewar | 4:45:45 |
| 13. | Chris Wilson | 4:52:22 |
| 14. | Andrew Barden | 4:55:41 |
| 15. | Felicity Copp [F] | 5:02:03 |
| 15. | David Eadie | 5:02:03 |
| 17. | Maureen Wilson [F] | 5:03:57 |
| 17. | Kevin Smart | 5:03:57 |
| 19. | Kazuya Nakatani | 5:05:15 |
| 20. | Barry Green | 5:08:58 |
| 21. | Damien Rankin | 5:11:32 |
| 22. | Brett Foote | 5:11:32 |
| 23. | Jane Allardice [F] | 5:13:49 |
| 24. | Matt McNamara | 5:14:41 |
| 25. | Roland Williams | 5:14:58 |
| 26. | Paul Kofman | 5:15:30 |
| 27. | David Bree | 5:16:31 |
| 28. | Cathy Roberts [F] | 5:16:49 |
| 29. | Greg Kew | 5:19:58 |
| 30. | Lesley Hurley [F] | 5:22:25 |
| 31. | Michael Dale | 5:22:36 |
| 32. | Barry Rosenberg | 5:25:49 |
| 33. | Stephen van der Tang | 5:28:24 |
| 34. | Shaun Bourke | 5:29:02 |
| 35. | Joanne Parlevliet [F] | 5:29:55 |
| 36. | Kevin Mannix | 5:36:04 |
| 36. | David Jennings | 5:36:04 |
| 38. | David Hughes | 5:46:02 |
| 39. | Philippa Miner [F] | 5:48:29 |
| 40. | Cheryl Symons [F] | 5:50:48 |
| 41. | Dave Stokie | 5:52:16 |
| 42. | Michelle Donnelly [F] | 5:53:33 |
| 42. | Dane Waites | 5:53:33 |
| 44. | Alan Marlow | 5:55:19 |
| 45. | Mark Falls | 5:57:04 |
| 46. | Toby McKinnon | 5:58:15 |
| 47. | Miranda Price [F] | 6:02:18 |
| 48. | Maja Zepcan [F] | 6:03:05 |
| 49. | Paul Rogers | 6:03:28 |
| 50. | Antonio Gonzalves | 6:04:09 |
| 51. | Terrie Stevens | 6:15:08 |
| 52. | Romano Gallo | 6:17:34 |
| 53. | Alannah Cooper [F] | 6:26:58 |
| 54. | Ernie Hartley | 6:53:39 |
| 55. | Dave Brelsford | 7:02:22 |
| 56. | Brian Glover | 7:04:04 |
| 57. | Luke Cable | 7:31:17 |
| 58. | Peter Gray | 10:16:42 |
Shadi Samir 43km
Julie Green [F] 42km in 3:41:00
Kurt Hourigan 35km
Simon Senior 33km
Andrew Herman 30km
Anna Papij [F] 28km
Hayley White [F] 25km
Dale Thomson ?????
Report by Kevin Cassidy
The honest truth is that I was really stressing over what was going to be a huge turnout. Controlling the start and finish was always going to be a task and a half, something that I couldn’t handle alone. The explosion in numbers over the last few years has been astonishing indeed.
The pre race purchase of the traditional finisher’s chocolate and ceremonial mirrors has always dished up some peculiar scenarios and 2010 was no exception. Unloading 80 blocks of Cadbury at the K-Mart checkout elicited some acutely odd looks while the young Asian girl at the nearby “Bargain Centre” was highly bemused by my recurring visits to continually boost my stock of mirrors as the “starters list” rapidly grew. “More Mirrors”, she’d enthuse with a smile each time I returned. My regular visits became somewhat of a highlight on all but one occasion when I politely held the door open for a mum with a pram, I was initially ignored by the toothless, moccasin clad git only to be given a filthy look as if I’d committed some horrendous crime! I was sorely tempted to slam the door in her face. No doubt she’d have lit up a cigarette the moment she hit the footpath. I felt genuine sympathy towards the baby. We don’t get to select our parents in this world and clearly, the poor little tyke was behind the eight ball the moment it was conceived, but I digress.
Waking at 5am, the dry ground had me convinced that the dire weather predictions would not eventuate. Thirty seconds later, the initial drop of rain fell from the darkened sky and within a minute, the heavens had opened in all their fury.
Motoring down the Frankston freeway, rain and gale force winds lashed my poor little ute. This was the last thing I needed. Along with a head cold that was still lingering, I sunk into a deep state of misery. I tried to think of a less pleasant situation but apart from having Kevin Rudd “running” our beloved country, I couldn’t come up with anything. Anyway, my name isn’t Christine Nixon so I couldn’t desert the ship now.
Pulling into the car park at Frankston, the rain kept belting down and the waves crashing in from Port Phillip Bay reflected the ferocity of the wind, a wind that runners would have to push into all the way to Portsea. Huddling into a small dark alcove for protection, it was here that registrations took place as the hordes started arriving. The most notable arrival, of course, was Maureen Wilson in her newly purchased Morris 1100, replacing her beloved old Datsun that had blown an engine a few weeks earlier on route to the airport, an episode that had the freeway blocked for 30 minutes!!! And a collection of delayed motorist piled up behind angrily waving their fists!!
Countless thanks to Jane Sturzaker who came good with a bright and powerful torch and her husband, Robert, for his pool of headlights. Undoubtedly, the weather kept a few “certain” starters away but ultimately, 66 runners signed in to create the largest field ever, the previous record being 45 in 2008. The check in process went smoothly due to the excellent help from the likes of Tim Ablett, Cameron Gillies, Jane and Robert Sturzaker, Malcolm Gamble, Bruce Payne, Peter Bignell, Mark Swinkels and Sandra Stewart. [Apologies if I missed anyone]. These selfless individuals gave of their time at their own expense to assist at the start, crew for runners during the event and help out again managing the finish. The most significant adjustment in 2010 was the texta numbers. As a “has been” who is fast losing contact with the changes and new and unfamiliar faces in the sport, it was the only way I could track everyone at the finish.
Amongst the starters were runners from Warrnambool and Ballarat in country Victoria, Proserpine in North Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and, believe it or not, Cambodia.
On the dot of 7am, the rain had eased and all except the two early starters set off to the cheers of their many supporters from the main entrance to Kitten’s Strip Club…..well, it USED to be the post office!!
Unquestionably, Magnus Michelsson would be the most highly credentialed runner to have graced this event and it showed right from the start. A World Marathon Championship representative in 2001 and boasting a 2:14 marathon best, Magnus displayed his class early.
With the rain having vanished, the heftily sized field stretched out down the Nepean Highway with the gale force winds causing havoc.
Chasing Magnus were Brett Stickland and the colourful Rohan Day while further back, Clinton Watson, Stuart Elliott and the consistent Tory Trewhitt found their rhythm. Tory was being well crewed for by World and Olympic swimming champion and one time World record holder, Michael Klim.
Leading the women was the accomplished Jane Allardice. Always smiling, Jane has the ideal disposition for running ultras. Carmen Atkinson was not far back and looking her usual competent self.
As the front of the field passed through 10 kilometres, I caught up with the early starting Brian Glover who was pounding away comfortably and consistently.
The need to stay at the front of the field forced me to miss most of the mid pack action which I would ideally liked to have seen and recorded. Regardless, I did manage to make some quick drives back through the field to check on proceedings.
At approximately two hours, the weather deteriorated into a shocking hailstorm. Visibility was reduced to almost zero and I had to pull my car off the road. This was a time of genuine worry for me with runners and traffic sharing the road and the main pack negotiating the most exposed section of the course near the Dromana drive-in. Fortunately, it abated within ten minutes and blue sky re emerged. Make no bones about it, 2010 dished up the most horrid weather conditions that I have ever seen here in my 21 year association as either a runner and/or organiser.
At one point, I leapt out of the car to snap a photo of Michelle Donnelly and I could barely hold myself upright. Michelle was bent into the punishing wind. “Hopefully it will be bit easier once I turn at Safety Beach” she mumbled feebly. A weak smile was my only reaction as we both knew it would remain hurricane like all the way to Portsea.
I did manage to sneak back to the rear of the field at 25 kilometres to find Bruce Payne and Berny Hughes competently dishing up drinks for the weary runners. Berny is a constant source of extroverted enthusiasm who could talk under water. Afterwards, countless runners made mention of the boost they got on route from her inimitable form of encouragement!
Tailing the field, Hayley White was not having the best of times. To make things worse, her parents who were crewing for her had gotten lost! Pulling out my mobile phone and with a few Melway discussions, they were soon linked up!
Driving quickly back to the head of the field, Magnus had flown through 30 kilometres in 1:59 and had a lead that was never going to be challenged.
The rain had eased again by this stage and I took the opportunity to quickly duck into a Bakers Delight for some urgent personal refreshment only to be confronted by a clipboard bearing young girl. I’ve no idea what her “cause” was but she become a tad indignant when I informed her that signing petitions was not one of my more predominant activities. Regardless, she was quite an attractive young thing and I wished her well with her endeavours and quickly made haste back to the car almost knocking over an oddly dressed man on the footpath. If you can imagine John Brumby dressed in an Elvis suit, you’d have a fair idea.
Somewhere around the 30 to 35 kilometre marks, women’s leader Jane Allardice started fading and Carmen Atkinson rapidly took over in a strong and commanding manner.
Magnus was now getting close to 50 kilometres at Sorrento having already blown through the marathon point in 2:44. Rushing to catch him up, I got wedged behind a dawdling motorist on the single lane road [and this seems to happen to me EVERY year!]. On this occasion it was an old jalopy of a van covered in bumper stickers. The frizzy bearded driver was obviously a professional protestor. He resembled one of those aliens from “Lost in Space”.
Decorating his back window were the following slogans:
“More Money for Nurses”
“More Teachers Now”
“Keep TAFE Colleges Open”
“No More Dams”
“Ban the Pipeline”
“People Before Profit”
“Free the Refugees”
“No Uranium” [this was a very old sticker!]
“No HoWARd”
“Don’t Bugger the Bay, Bracks”
I’m not sure that I got them all and if they are word perfect but you get my meaning, of course.
As he pulled into a roadside campground, he was everything I expected with his ratty hair and unwashed clothes that would have been ideal if he were a movie extra in “Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
I mused about who he thought might pay for his copious number of demands. Clearly on the gravy train, it definitely wouldn’t be him. Whoops, I’ve digressed again!
With a clear road to Portsea, I was relieved to arrive and prepare for the finish in dry conditions.
Magnus charged into Portsea with a smile of contentment on his face some 15 minutes outside the course record. “I didn’t want to flog myself in this wind with Comrades coming up” he stated flatly as he stopped the watch at 3:45:59. Clearly capable of a sub 3:30 on a good day, I’m hoping to see Magnus here again sooner rather than later.
Brett Stickland held firm to finish second as the ever reliable Tory Trewhitt came through to snatch third from the tiring Rohan Day. Clinton Watson, Stuart Elliot, Baz Skelton and Mick Banfield all hung tough to finish in the top ten.
It was about this stage that I noticed an old but familiar face alighting from a nearby car. You could have knocked me flat with a feather. It was Terry Cox, a star 24 hour and multi day runner during the early 80s. A Rosebud resident, I hadn’t seen him for at least 20 years. He stayed briefly giving encouragement to all.
Ninth overall and first female was Carmen Atkinson in a powerful and polished display over the last 15 kilometres. Celebrating her birthday, Carmen has now chalked up two consecutive Frankston to Portsea victories, or to use a moronic football parlance, “back to back wins”!
Felicity Copp and Maureen Wilson arrived in close succession for the minor placings with the tiring Jane Allardice holding on for fourth.
The bulk of the field come in between hours five and six with many “dead heats” an indication of the shared struggle against the unrelenting gale. The finish line was crammed with cars and supporters in a fashion that I could never have envisaged just a few years ago. So many crews came out to assist both their own runners and anyone else who may have needed assistance on route. Such things are typical of the ultra community. Also, I must add my apologies to the many unfamiliar faces who finished in quick succession. With my memory failing as I advance into old age, most of your names escaped me! Until I got home and sorted everything, you were all just numbers on an A4 sheet of paper!
A particular mention here to Jane Sturzaker and Sandra Stewart who managed to document times and numbers during the “peak hour” with much aplomb. The arrival of Julie Higgins was also a welcome enhancement as she efficiently dished out chocolate and mirrors to the various finishers. “This inspires me so much” she emphatically stated.
David Hughes was over the moon with his performance while there was a very evident choice for the “Guts and Determination” award. Terrie Stevens was visibly distressed as she crossed the line having slogged it out despite hitting trouble as early as 20 kilometres. Courtesy of 2009 winner, John Keats, she collected a bottle of wine for her efforts. All being well, she’ll be fit to consume it by now!
The early starting Peter Gray rolled into Portsea and joins Geoff Hook and Max Gibbs as ten time finishers. Look for Peter to stand alone in 2011 as the most prolific Frankston to Portsea runner.
One specific sprint finish that drew a large roar panned out between Michelle Donnelly and Dane Waites. It was impossible to separate them. Dane is an extraordinary individual. A master of many sports, Dane has represented Australia at the Special Olympics. Simply google his name and you’ll be both mightily impressed and inspired no end.
As the steady flow of runners started to abate, we were treated to the arrival of a Classic Car Rally which had me salivating at all those mint conditioned specimens from the fifties and sixties, the 1966 Mustang being my particular favourite.
The wind hadn’t died any but the arrivals trickled to a halt as Luke Cable meandered into the finish. “They told me I’d never run again” he philosophised.
Asking why, Luke expanded on his sky diving accident two years ago that resulted in two seriously smashed up ankles! In a telling display of courage, he certainly proved his doctors wrong.
Packing up unhurriedly and wandering off from the now deserted finish area, paramount on my mind was the incredible displays of tenacity shown by all who toed the start line in such conditions. My respect for all concerned elevated many notches as the day progressed. In total, only eight runners failed to reach Portsea with seven accounted for. As I write, Dale Thomson remains missing in action. With no reports of bodies found floating in the bay, I’ll assume he is alive and well somewhere.
I toddled alone into Buckley’s Café at Sorrento for a feed and some old fashioned “Daryl Kerrigan” serenity. Spreading a wad of paperwork across the table, I glanced briefly at the older gentleman wearing an odd expression not unlike that of Peter Garret trying to explain his insulation debacle. I was quickly paying him plenty of attention, however, when he inadvertently fell knocking my table and all its contents flying. After tending to his needs and ensuring his well being, I despondently discovered that my paperwork was soaked in coffee, coke and potato soup requiring a delicate drying operation upon the top of the café’s coffee machine and pizza oven.
The drive home was punctuated by a momentary stop to refuel. As I went to pay, I felt it appropriate to mention an inordinately slow pump. ”I’se already knows that but can’t do nuffin’ about it, can I?” snapped the purple haired young thing behind the counter in a manner that glaringly suggested her education went no further than finger painting at pre school. Dressed in a bright red and yellow outfit, she resembled a human rainbow that would not have looked out of place on the set of “Beauty and the Beast”. I fled in an instant.
All in all, I trust that everyone who turned out enjoyed the jaunt to the bottom end of the Nepean Highway. So big has this run become, that several things will require “enhancement” for 2011. Such things will be very much sorted in the lead up.
Edition 39 of this event is set down for Sunday April 3rd, 2011