46th Annual Frankston to Portsea Road Race 55km/34 miles
Sunday April 15th 2018
1.
Dan Langelaan
4:33:52
2.
Justin Jeffery
5:17:21
3.
Jonathan Ennis-King
5:22:59
4.
Frank Palermo
5:23:31
5.
Serena Wooldrige [F]
5:26:33
6.
Paul Spencer
5:45:41
6.
David Spencer
5:45:41
8.
Peter Zienau
6:05:48
9.
Amanda Lacey [F]
6:22:23
9.
Connie Schroeder [F]
6:22:23
11.
Claire Galbraith [F]
7:13:01
11.
Mark Barger
7:13:01
13.
Peter Gray
19:34:30
Brian Jones
30km Approx
Race Report by Kevin Cassidy
Having spoiled us with ideal weather all week, Mother Nature turned decidedly ugly for our annual jaunt down the peninsula in a temper tantrum that offered no respite for the entire day.
Fifteen minutes prior to the start, only three runners were milling around in the car park. So strong was the wind that I could not stand in the one place. The surf angrily pounded in from the bay opposite the highway while the goalposts at the nearby football ground were bending and swaying so savagely that I feared they would snap in half at any minute.
In my 29 year association with this run, I’ve never seen the wind behave with such fury. Add the biting cold, constant drizzle and occasional heavy downpour and you have the recipe for complete misery.
Assuming that the weather had kept runners away, you have to imagine my delight when numerous arrivals crammed into the dimly lit car park in the ten minutes before we kicked off.
I had nothing but the utmost admiration for the twelve runners as they hit the road, each knowing full well that they’d be punching head first into the howling wind for the entire run. A less than pleasant day at the office lay ahead with any plans for PBs being duly dispatched to the “some other day” file!
As the runners disappeared from view, I made haste to the nearby Caltex to engage in the purchase of the traditional chocolate for each finisher and secure some life inducing bananas and diet coke for my good self. Having handed out Caramello Koalas last year, I decided upon Freddo Frogs for the simple reason that they were on special at a dollar each! Apologies for my cheapskate manner there but I viewed this as a financial masterstroke on my behalf!
Motoring down the road, I started catching runners around the 9km mark. By the time I reached Dan Langelaan at the head of the field, I had only counted nine runners! I turned back and stumbled upon Paul and David Spencer. Apparently the toilets inside McDonalds were being put to good use as I whizzed by. Heading back up the highway, I started my head count again fully expecting to find all twelve individuals. Now I’m well aware that my memory isn’t what it used to be and perhaps my glasses could do with an update, but I thought I was dreaming when I counted thirteen runners stretched out along the course when my list contained just twelve names! I drove back and forth twice more in a mixed state of both bemusement and confusion. Ultimately, I had to pull over and start asking passing runners for their names. I quickly discovered that Brian Jones had been on the start line but neglected to announce his presence.
Relieved to learn that I wasn’t going completely mad, I headed back down the highway to the sound of the rhythmic swish of my windscreen wipers where Dan Langelaan had gone through half way with a huge lead over Justin Jeffery and Frank Palermo. Serena Wooldrige was comfortably leading the women while the middle of the field was made up of Jonathan Ennis-King, Peter Zienau, the Spencer brothers [Paul and David] and the dynamic duo of Amanda Lacey and Connie Schroeder. Progressing handsomely at the rear of the field were Claire Galbraith and Mark Barger.
Most runners were familiar with the course but I felt a responsibility to stay close to the two first timers at the few points that had the potential to induce a wrong turn. This proved to be quite a taxing task given that the two were at opposite ends of the field.
Driving through Rosebud, I caught up with Peter Gray for the first and only time. Peter’s quicker runs are behind him these days but he soldiers on regardless and had set out at 2:30am.
Motoring on further, it quickly became apparent that I was going to have to abandon the middle of the field. Dan was miles ahead and closing in on Portsea in the most lively of fashions. He had great incentive, of course, with orders from his long suffering wife to be finished by noon so they could get to their young son’s football game. Being a good husband and dad, Dan kept his end of the bargain by duly storming to the finish in 4:33:52 to the cheers of his family.
One by one, finishers started rolling in at the end of Point Nepean Road to receive their ceremonial Freddo Frogs. Justin Jeffery was steady all day in second while Jonathan Ennis-King motored efficiently through the field in the later stages to snare third place.
Frank finished just behind Jonathan then, just as he did last year, spun around for a solo return trip to Frankston! Serena finished soon after to claim line honours amongst the women.
In what I believe is the first example of brothers in this event, Paul and David Spencer finished together. For David, he notched his seventh finish after a nine year absence.
Waiting alone for arriving runners provides me with the most inane form of entertainment year after year. Befuddled drivers of questionable mental acuity slow to a stop as the road draws to an end, look at you with complete confusion then motor off back in the direction they arrived at the speed of a dope smoking snail. Highlighting my lengthy waiting period was a female motorist asking for directions. A formidable woman of ample proportions, she was decked out in a rather enthralling large hat and looked like she’d won numerous world championships for sumo wrestling. Sadly she didn’t understand a word of English which made for a somewhat animated conversation.
A shade over seven hours was on the clock when our final two runners [apart from Peter Gray] completed their journeys. Handing over the last of my Freddo Frogs, I mused as to what brand of chocolate I could offer next year. I was favouring the culinary delights of Kit Kats only to have a request put to me for Mars Bars. I guess we’ll see what 2019 brings.
Just one DNF was recorded. Given the arduous weather conditions, I dip my hat to a seriously focused and resilient group of ultra nuts that made mince meat of such hardship.
I’d long since curled up in bed when news came through that Frank Palermo had completed his return journey at 11:35pm for a 110km round trip in a tad over 16 hours while Peter Gray had reached the Portsea finish in solitary darkness around 10pm having spent close to 20 hours on the course. Peter now has an amazing 18 finishes here.
Circle April 7th on the calendar next year when we’ll do it all again in edition 47.