Feral Postcards
Date: Monday, 2 December 2024
From: Lena
Sunshine and Roses in NZ
Hayley McLoud and I completed the Queenstown Marathon in New Zealand on 16.11.24. The Scenery was beyond spectacular. This is one to definitely stop and smell the roses! Well, there were no roses but snow capped mountains, running streams, beautiful lakes and lush green fields!
Date: Wednesday, 13 March 2024
From: Wendy
Coast to Coast on KI
The Hydro Tasmania King Island Imperial 20 is a 32km handicapped run from one side of the island to the other. The only coast to coast race in Australia, it can be run solo or as a 2 to 4 person team relay. This event now in its 31st year. The race record is held by Steve Moneghetti who ran in 2002. Vanessa Wilson ran the fastest female time in 2020 – just over 2 hours.
The Feral Jogger contingent was 4 members plus an invitee so that I didn’t have to run so far. Janelle and Anna tackled the 32 kilometres after weeks of dedicated training. My son Julian and I (not so dedicated) ran the course as a team so 16km each – me first then Julz. Louanne entered the 8km walk. The finish line was placed so that entrants had to run past it down to Currie Harbour and back up Wharf Hill before the home straight. This last 1500 metres was tough.
Unseasonably warm weather on the Saturday and locals were saying how dry the island was – brown not green. Thankfully the temperature dropped overnight and Sunday was mild with a breeze at the start. Drink stops every 4km and lots of friendly volunteers. 156 entrants for the various categories including 2 pram pushers and three 70+ Active ageing participants in the 4 and 8 km walking events. 39 runners signed up for the 32km. So not a mainland size event but it had a nice community feel and it was fun exploring the island before and after the run. Fairy Penguins sighted one evening at Grassy Harbour. Local beer from the brewery and the famous King Island cheese tasted. Another fantastic away event.
Date: Sunday, 28 May 2023
From: Wendy
International Debut
Edinburgh Half Marathon
So much anticipation and trepidation leading up to this run. Then the excitement of getting to Edinburgh to visit my daughter and run my first overseas event. 10,000 competitors for the half marathon lined up at the start at 8am in the old part of the city. The weather was perfect. With a downhill run to the coast and then out to Musselborough this was a fast course (for some); the winning female ran the course in 1:14:48.
I was more than happy to run the course at a comfortable pace taking a few photos here and there. A 10 minute wait for a portaloo half way was a bummer. Thank you Anna and Janelle for letting me join your morning runs; training was so much easier with company. This was my 13th half marathon and after a couple of covid years I thought it might be my last. Training runs on my own were slow and hard but it's amazing what can happen on the day; I think an away event for me is the key from now on.
Date: Saturday, 22 April 2023
From: Neil
Another Thousand Steps
You may know the Thousand Steps in the Dandenongs (actually 780). There is a brand new Thousand Steps in Bacchus Marsh which is a touch over the thousand so you won't feel ripped off. Newly completed, then renovated after a massive storm, it will be developed further with a sculpture park at the top to add to the massive view back to the city and Geelong.
1014 steps I'm told. 150 metres vertical. Current Strava records for the Up are 6:43 for men and 9:52 for women. 17:48 for me. Very popular morning walk for locals.
The start of the Thousand Steps at Bacchus Marsh (Darley) is just one minute north of the Western Freeway from Melbourne to Ballarat. A recommended detour for any Feral on the road, or as a day trip from Melbourne.
Date: Sunday, 5 March 2023
From: Teresa