Date: Monday, 13 June 2016

From: Tarek

Wilsons Prom 100 ultramarathon

Greetings,

Just got back this week after running the Wilsons Prom 100 ultramarathon.

What had promised to be a mild, balmy run around the Prom, for many, became a battle to survive the elements in what many runners called atrocious running conditions, lashing horizontal rain, winds gusting over 50kmph and leeches by the dozen which assaulted the unsuspecting runners. Add to that the raid on race HQ by frenzied, lamington starved, giant wombats and it had just a bit of everything for everyone.

Somehow I missed all that, and ended up having a very enjoyable 100km. Yes I have leech bites, but more importantly I had zero feet issues despite them being soaked all day and even more importantly having finally sorted out my nutrition woes, didn't have to crawl myself out of any slumps. I took nearly an hour of my previous time, and it would have been more except for the fact that seeing past fern fronds in torchlight in pouring rain is not that easy and you have to slow down heaps.

I always love this run. It is a real privilege to run around on sublime single trail and gorgeous beaches on such a beautiful bit of our coastline. Even in these conditions.

This time they threw in history as well with the Australian Commando Association getting involved with the event including manning checkpoint and providing trophies. The Prom used to be the commando training area in WW2 and being regaled by a 92 yr old coast watcher from WW2 at the conclusion of the event was a rare honour.

For those aspiring long distance runners (and walkers) who love good scenery you need to get your butts down to an event like this. PS...you can walk the 44km and 60km events within the cut-offs. Next years event is May  6. They also have some shorter runs at Darby river on the Sunday.

Attached are some photos. Me, a Lamington starved wombat,  a group of various runners, ACA members and crew in front of memorial (I'm in there somewhere), and tidal river from the campsite (the track in the background is in the event)

Regards

Tarek