Frankston to Portsea 55km Run 55km/34 miles
Sunday 2nd April 2023
| 1. | Michael Eury | 3:51:49 |
| 2. | Justin Jeffery | 4:18:32 |
| 3. | Mark Henderson | 4:19:52 |
| 4. | Pramesh Prasad | 4:24:47 |
| 5. | Luke Raymond | 4:46:51 |
| 6. | David Spencer | 4:51:24 |
| 7. | Marc Roberton | 4:57:04 |
| 8. | Oliver Maass | 4:58:47 |
| 9. | Nikki Wynd [F] | 5:02:51 |
| 10. | Rohan Day | 5:13:49 |
| 11. | Bec Howe [F] | 5:14:13 |
| 12. | Peter Mitchell | 5:18:24 |
| 13. | Baoping Zhang | 5:23:13 |
| 14. | Jonathan Ennis-King | 5:24:26 |
| 15. | Tri Le | 5:27:25 |
| 16. | Jody Daff [F] | 5:30:56 |
| 17. | Linda Tucker [F] | 5:35:35 |
| 17. | Emma-Rose Maber [F] | 5:35:35 |
| 19. | Heike Godwin [F] | 5:37:33 |
| 20. | Amelia Griffith [F] | 5:39:33 |
| 20. | Fleur Douy [F] | 5:39:33 |
| 22. | Daniel Bull | 5:46:31 |
| 23. | David Outrata | 5:53:44 |
| 24. | Anthony Symons | 5:54:02 |
| 25. | Gavin Ma | 5:54:59 |
| 26. | Aaryn Gallahar | 5:55:00 |
| 27. | David Schmidt | 6:01:55 |
| 27. | Jayde O’Brien [F] | 6:01:55 |
| 29. | Paul Spencer | 6:02:42 |
| 30. | Andrew Moldrich | 6:03:40 |
| 31. | Kylie Irshad [F] | 6:22:24 |
| 32. | Frank Palermo | 6:47:24 |
| 33. | Kai Ooi | 7:11:27 |
| 34. | Yee-Vien Ng [F] | 7:16:55 |
| 35. | Jon Lim | 7:19:40 |
| 36. | Joanna Maidment [F] | 8:07:03 |
| 37. | Claire Galbraith [F] | 8:27:50 |
| 37. | Alex Ritchie | 8:27:50 |
| 37. | Matt Redmond | 8:27:50 |
| 40. | Mark Kani | 8:47:55 |
| 41. | David Buerckner | 9:48:00 |
Derek Bulstrode 42km
Karen Champion [F] 40km
Marnie Zakis [F] 36km
Tim Purton-Smith 26km
Report by Kevin Cassidy
I have to admit to a very sombre mood as I made my way to our regular meeting place behind Frankston’s “The Deck” nightclub. Consuming my thoughts was the tragic loss of George Thomas on Thursday night having suffered a massive heart attack. One of the world’s true gentlemen, George was a regular who loved this run. On his 60th birthday a few weeks earlier, he told me enthusiastically that he was looking forward to the Portsea run.
Whilst not physically on the start line, George’s presence was strongly felt.
Channel Seven’s weather presenter, Jane Bunn had been promising flawless weather all week and remained true to her word. Not a breath of wind, 19 degrees and the waters of the bay looking like a skating rink. Jane had delivered in spades.
With the early start option gaining popularity, I felt a need to be there rather than relying on “pre start” text messages. At around 6am, eight runners set off with instructions to record their own times.
Prior to the bulk of the field setting off, Paul Spencer handed me two substantial bags of chocolates, saving me the hassle and cost of procuring the traditional “finishers prizes”. A much valued and appreciated donation indeed.
The regular 7am start saw 37 punters charge off down the highway bound for the national park entrance at Portsea. Fortunately, it appeared no one had overlooked the daylight savings change!!
With an eclectic mix of newbies and repeat offenders, that imaginary elastic that stretches between the first and last runners rapidly expanded further than ever. Justin Jeffery and Michael Eury set off at a pace that would have attracted the attention of the Kenyan national team selectors. So quick were these two that I had to make haste down to the “Jon Lim” roundabout at 21km. Jon legendarily took an incorrect turn here a few years ago and we haven’t let him forget it!!. I stood at this corner for about 90 minutes ensuring no one went astray.
Also to the fore were Mark Henderson and the Grand Poobah of Casey Masters Athletics, Pramesh Prasad. Leading the women was Nikki Wynd looking relaxed and cheery. Spirits were quite jovial amongst everyone with the bulk of the journey remaining.
The trio of Claire Galbraith, Matt Redmond and Alex Ritchie where bringing up the rear and once they passed through, I took off in search of the leaders. With the gap having stretched considerably, I wasn’t to see the bulk of the field again until the finish.
Motoring onto Point Nepean road beside Port Phillip Bay, I received a call from the man himself, Jon Lim.
“You’re going to laugh, but I’m at the Red Hill roundabout”
“Do I take the B110?”
“Just keep right, I replied”
We now have two Jon Lim corners. His legacy grows!
Further down the road, I made a hurried toilet stop at a graffiti riddled McDonalds, which spoke volumes of the areas inhabitants, then dashed into a nearby Shell service station for fuel, an experience that dished up some relatively bemusing entertainment. There at the pump in front of me was a woman filling an expensive looking red Mercedes. Her cosmetic surgery was confronting at best. Her eyes appeared permanently startled, lips looked like they’d crack if she smiled, the cheek implants were far from symmetrical and her boobs seemed to point in a rather odd upward and outward direction.
I’m sure she thought I was admiring her when in actual fact, I was questioning if she’d landed from Mars or possible escaped from the black lagoon?
Back on the road I managed to locate Justin going through Rye but found no sign of Michael. I pushed on further until deciding that he couldn’t have come so far. About to attempt a U turn thinking I’d obviously missed him, I spied a familiar yellow singlet in the distance!! Wow, he was really flying. He gave me a happy wave and a smile as I drove past.
I hurriedly made my way to the finish having grumpily overtaken a slow moving driver in a pink Mini Moke.
Charging to the line in 3:51:49, Michael Eury recorded the first sub four hour run here since 2014. Only 14 runners have ever gone under four hours with Michael ranking eighth. At 57 years of age, the mind boggles. Also impressive was his attention to detail. The day prior, he travelled the course with a cordless drill securing drink bottles to various poles at hand height. He simply snatched them on the way past without having to stop.
Justin arrived some 27 minutes later just ahead of Mark Henderson with Pramesh Prasad fourth. Nikki Wynd was untroubled leading the women home ahead of Bec Howe and Jody Daff.
Courtesy of the Casey Masters Athletic Club, I was able to present medals to the first three men and women. Furthermore, Justin Jeffery provided two of his specially minted Frankston to Portsea commemorative medals for the respective winners.
Being old school, I hadn’t provided for transgender, non binary, intersex or other categories that are so fashionable amongst the woke brigade these days. If that makes me a dinosaur, then a dinosaur I am.
An auction 100 metres from the finish added some additional traffic for incoming runners to negotiate. Honestly, real estate agents are a breed all their own. The portly looking agent with his bulging belly in his shiny suit plonked his black BMW centre stage then proceeded to strut around the potential buyers like a circus ringmaster. The term “snake oil” comes readily to mind here but I’ve digressed somewhat
Where was I?, ..Oh yes, finishers appearing in Portsea.
David Spencer chalked up his tenth finish with Paul Spencer recording his ninth. The brotherly rivalry looks set to continue next year.
Frank Palermo knocked over his eighth finish then promptly turned around to run back to Frankston for his customary 110km round trip. What’s the story, Frank? Can’t you afford a bus fare?
Rohan Day’s sixth finish secured his name amongst the “Most Prolific” list, a fact for which he emphatically reminded me.
Emma-Rose Maber and Linda Tucker crossed the line together smiling as did Amelia “Griffo” Griffith and Fleur Douy a few minutes later.
Jayde O’Brien and David Schmidt were another duo finishing in tandem.
Aaryn Gallahar was a finisher with a difference having turned back numerous times on route to encourage others.
Mark Kani, decked out in his Hawaiian shirt, would not have looked out of place relaxing with a few cocktails at an expensive holiday resort.
Caving in to several years of my pestering, Joanna Maidment abandoned her beloved trail runs for this road event. “Stupid F*****g Idea” was her solitary comment but on the positive side, we didn’t have to endure her driving along the course sounding her bloody cow bell!
David Buerckner’s arrival in 9:48:00 signaled the conclusion of the 2023 event.
Packing up my ute alone, I was in a reflective mood. Rather than take the fastest route home via the freeway, I chose to drive slowly back along the course. George Thomas would have been looking down from above. In fact, I reckon I saw George’s ghost running through Dromana.
We’ll be back in 2024 on April 14