Feral Postcards
Date: Thursday, 19 September 2013
The Dubbo Dash
Ava 2nd Girl U9.
Cheryl 3rd in 40 - 49yrs
Every finisher got a medal!
This is Kels!
Date: Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Ferals in Wagga
It might have been the biggest representation of Ferals outside of the City to Surf but it was also possibly the darkest day for any touring team. The “2013 Wagga Wagga Lake to Lagoon” saw 14 Ferals compete and 12 Ferals very upset about the events that occurred post-race.
The touring team gathered in Yoogali early on Sunday morning, drawing straws as to who would have to travel in Simon Fattore’s car, and then departing for the 2 hour drive east and a quest for glory. Upon arrival the early race talk was around why Tony Abbott, fresh from his election win, was a no-show at this years race. We were certain he would be there for lunch though, understanding that the new Prime Minister might just have something a little more important to do.
It was an absolutely cracking day for running. 25 degrees, clear skies, no wind. Rodney Savage was the best of the local Ferals, taking 12th position again (yes, he finished 12th last year too) from nearly 2000 competitors in a time of 37:35 over the 10km flat course. Michael Joey Johns impressed in 28th with a 40:30, clearly wanting to get the run over and done with and start the real work at the William Farrar hotel. The groups senior citizen collected 2nd place in his age category and 42nd overall. David Heffer proudly displaying the “incontinence.org au trophy” for his great time of 41:42. Completing the performances of note was Glen Rosato, at last putting the demons of the Half-on-the-Hill behind him by collecting 59th position in a time of 42:35.
The other Ferals competing on the day were:
Simon Fattore 78th 44:06
Fiona Fattore 132nd 46:21
Anthony Salmon 134th 46:25
Geoff O’Callaghan 160th 47:35
James O’Callaghan 221st 50:05
Janet Mazzarolo 235th 50:41
Belinda Johns 497th 1:00:04
Kristy Brown 628th 1:08:24
Amanda Heffer 745th 1:17:24
Leanne Heffer 746th 1:17:24
So with the formalities out of the way it was off to our new drinking hole, the William Farrar hotel. Well, not before Janet tried to slip into a pair of skinny jeans in the back of Simon’s car. We will leave that story for another day (or just ask Janet)!
We soon worked out why Tony Abbott was a no-show. It had nothing to do with public acceptance speeches – he knew the William Farrar didn’t serve chicken parmies and was smart enough not to bother showing up. Well, didn’t I cop it! And rightly so. I was trusted with the responsibility of ensuring rule #6 of the touring Ferals code of conduct was upheld and I failed, badly. The rule clearly states “After the run all Ferals must eat a chicken parmie with chips and veges or salad” and I take full responsibility for that not occurring. I must admit I had no idea this was the only pub in Australia that doesn’t do a chicken parmie – but I sure as hell do now!
The drive home was painful but it could have been worse – I could have been in Simon’s car. The touring party ending up splitting at Yanco. Heff was keen for another well-earned beer so spent the next 3 hours talking to the Yanco locals, whereas others were keen to get home and just forget about the awful events of the day.
Note: the attached photo was taken directly after the run with the smiles indicative of the forthcoming chicken parmies. Alas, it was never to be. Geoff and James O’Callaghan were unable to participate in the photo as they were meeting family at the Union Club Hotel where, by all accounts, they enjoyed chicken parmies followed by an argue-free trip home.
Date: Sunday, 1 September 2013
Running in Finland
Some of you may know about our postcard 'enthusiasm' for REAL postcards. The word has spread about that and about our little Feral Running group. This card, as you can see, came from Finland.
Date: Monday, 13 May 2013
From: Anthony
Nail Can Hill 2013
Well, Nail Can Hill has been run and won again. Not by any Ferals, but it was apparently won by somebody.
The Pack has increased in size this year. Heff went soft and didn't support his team mates, but 4 fellow Ferals joined us this year in another killer of a run. Glen Rosato, Michael Johns and Simon & Fiona Fattore were welcomed into the Pack, joining out-of-town regulars Adam, Rodney & Salmon. It was expected that the Pack size could have been as high as 9 members but Sharon Careri and Trent Rosato followed Heffs lead and decided that spending time with their families was more important than a road trip with the Ferals. Shame.
The trip started at 5:15am in Rovere Place, with the pre-race talk around getting a set of cans. We all like our cans, especially Sav, but this year was special as the old Pack were about to complete their pair. The new comers were filled with expectation, not knowing what to expect, but we put them at ease telling stories of gentle inclines, chicken parmigianas and ice cold schooners. We piled into Sav's dad's Prado, yep all 7 of us, and spent 3 quality hours together, discussing the impending hill and playing poker with the "Show Girls" deck of cards that Simon gleefully discovered under the 3rd row of the Prado.
We arrived at the start line and met up with Teresa Burgess. She has run City-to-Surf and The 6 Foot Track but after running Nail Can she declared this was the pinnacle of her career. All other runs fade in comparison. In the meantime, Simon was strutting his stuff, talking the talk and declaring Salmon had no chance in beating him to the line. Time would tell.
As it panned out, the finishing order (from 1680 competitors) of the 11.3km track was as follows:
Rodney - 23rd (15th in age group) - 46:48 Adam - 25th (3rd in age group) - 47:01 Michael - 63rd (35th in age group) - 50:28 Fiona - 234th (26th in age group) - 57:10 Glen - 238th (97th in age group) - 57:18 Teresa - 261st (3rd in age group) - 57:46 Simon - 284th (114th in age group) - 58:24 Anthony - 292nd (51st in age group) - 58:37
Yes, Simon beat Salmon, and for the record has done so now for the past 3 "away" races. All I can say it was a LONG trip home.
There was also a half-can run. Teresa's daughter Amy finished 3rd (1st in U20's) in the 4km event. Wow, great work! Certainly worthy of a few celebratory drinks in the Burgess household.
The race itself was brutal. For those who are yet to tackle Nail Can, give it a go. With magic weather, a top track and a great atmosphere it is highly recommended for all Ferals.
When all was said and done we made our way to the Albion Hotel where 7 chicken parmies and chips were duly ordered, washed down with a few schooners. A (crap) coffee was consumed, we climbed back into the Prado and Fiona prised the Show Girls deck out of Simon's hands as we spent another 3 hours crammed into the Prado.
Date: Sunday, 17 March 2013
From: Rodney
Yarrawonga Splash and Dash
The pack is back! Well, sort of. The old tour team of Heff, Johnson, Savage and Salmon were heading off to Yarrawonga for the 2013 Splash n Dash, a 10km run along the shore of Lake Mulwala. It was all organized earlier in the week - we will meet at 5:30am for the 2.5hr trip, giving us plenty of time for the 9am race start. But things soon changed.
Firstly, Heff & Salmon agreed to bring the meeting time back to 5:15am knowing all too well that the body clocks of these old guys will no doubt have the call of nature during the trip. We didn't want to be late for the race. For the record, lucky we left early! Then, during his regular Thursday morning training run, Heff was spotted holding his hamstring after emerging from a bush with a rabbit in his hand (Heff can explain if you are interested)! "I'll be good fellas" Heff told us. As you know, Heff was spotted finishing the Saturday hill run after sunset, his hamstring gone "but at least my drinking arm is still ok".
Heff was a no show, the pack was no more. But Heff being the top bloke he is, after agreeing to drive this trip, entrusted his car to Johnson so we could still travel in comfort. Thanks mate, much appreciated. It made for an interesting trip though - all Heff's 80's classics pre-loaded to the in-car entertainment system. Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Cold Chisel. This was looking good so we searched his collection further. One Direction, Boyz to Men, Culture Club, Spice Girls, Wham. Never knew he had that in him.
Anyway, we rocked up to the start line ready to tackle the 10 degrees temperature and 40km /hr headwinds. Yep, it was tough running. We met up with Fellow Ferals Kellie Kelly and Cheryl Wood who were competing in the 5km run and 1.4km swim respectively. Hats of to Cheryl who completed the swim in choppy waters in a whisker over 32 minutes. Brilliant effort!
As we expected, the run was hard work. Those headwinds were punishing and made for a tough run regardless of how beautiful the course was. Johnson finished 4th with a time of 39:09, Savage 6th in 39:29 and Salmon ran a 46:13. Kellie, not to be outdone, ran the 5km course in a great time of 36 minutes. As you can see by the photo, Kellie is now an official member of the pack, although her drinking skills are yet to be put through Heff's approval process.
Some of the Yarrawonga locals did very well. The winner crossed the line in an incredible 32 minutes and one young lass was so well endowed she finished after Salmon but before Savage!
The obligatory chicken parmigiana and beer was to follow, but 10am was just a little too early so we headed up the road to Berrigan and the local watering hole. Alas, the pub was closed so Jerilderie was going to get our business. Shock, all 3 pubs in Jerilderie were closed too! What is this? We don't live in Mongolia - this is Australia! So we headed north to Coleambally where the locals were more than accommodating and shared stories of knitting, taxidermists and rabbits.