This is called a fun run, but it also attracts professional athletes partly due to the $2000 prize money for the winner, and partly because it is one of Australia's oldest established runs, being first held in 1973, when it was won by Derek Clayton, then the long-established world marathon record holder.
The current record for the 12km is 33:42, a time I hoped to emulate, or even better, only in my case the time relating to the half-way point!
The day started cold and cloudless, with the promise of a warm, sunny run. The day began for me at 5:45 with a breakfast of fruit and yoghurt. Then a quick 30 minute drive to the start point very close to the Adelaide Oval. Parking wasn't a drama, so there was ample time to find the gear truck, soak up some of the carnival atmosphere and chat to a few friends.
This year saw a record number of entrants at 15,000 so the amtosphere was fantastic. I had decided on a time window of 60 - 66 minutes, the 60 being based on my 10km time of 50 minutes back in February, and the 66 being a reasonable estimate based on my training times over the last week.
The starting point is opposite government house and a parade ground, so the starting "gun" is actually a whopping great 6 inch howitzer/gun thingy, a fact apparently lost on most people, because when it went off there was a strange mix of the expected cheering with a lot of unexpected profanity and another rush on the toilets.
Following Riazor Blue's advice, I started a fair way back in the field, and it was several minutes before we finally shuffled across the start line and headed into the great unknown.
My "realistic" expectation of 66 minutes works out at 5:30/km pace, which I thought not unreasonable for a flat course and a huge crowd. The first kilometre was mostly traffic management, but worked out quite well at 5:40, and then as the crowd thinned it was relatively easy to find a nice rhythm and settle in for some decent 5:30 kilometres.
There were plenty of spectators and roadside bands to help us on our way - my two favourite bands were the "Second Wind Ensemble" - a brass and woodwind ensemble playing some jazzed up Star Trek music, and a bunch of kids no more than 13 or 14, diminutive behind their guitars and outrageous drum kit, called "The Granny Flat Rock Band" and who were belting out a pretty fair rendition of what I think was some Vanhalen classic. There was even a busker, although I'm not sure what he expected us to throw in his guitar case, other than perhaps empty drink cups. He did have a big grin on his face though, so perhaps he just had a wonderful sense of the ironic
Although fancy dress isn't really a big part of this run, there were
still some pretty memorable characters, including a fully tartaned,
be-kilted Scotsman on roller skates, two near-naked guys with one half of their bodies totally painted in gold body paint and the other half green. Lots and lots of corporate groups, charities, fitness clubs andthe like made it a very colourful affair. A number of dogs were also taking their owners for a run and having a great time.
I held my pace really well for the first 6 kilomtres, getting to the
half-way point in 32:51, 9 seconds inside my target, and feeling quite comfortable.
However! Inexplicably, at that point my right calf started cramping - a problem I have not had since I started running. Not even once! That is actually saying something, because for years when I was cycling, I suffered terrible cramps, and so have been extra-cautious since running, and up to this point, successfully so.
Anyway, cramping there was, and I had no choice but to slow down to keep it manageable. For the next 4 kms I slowed to about 6 minute pace, putting my target time out of the question, but at least keeping me running. The 11th kilometre was especially bad, but as we neared the end the calf suddenly came good again and I was even able to sprint the last 300 metres in front of my adoring fans, overtaking all those who had passed me in the troublesome 11th kilometre, and thus finishing nice and strong in a shade under 70 minutes... which was very close to exactly 35 minutes behind the winner.
I was a little surprised shortly after to find my face covered in salt,
which I guess would explain the cramps. I can only surmise that with the weather being a little warmer, and perhaps my being a little underhydrated, I had been caught out. I shall know better next time.
The salt was metaphorically rubbed in a little more when I found a mate of mine in the thronging mass of sweaty bodies and he told me how disappointed he was with his time of 40:40!
I'm not normally a "crowd" person, and was quite happy to get way from the after-race events, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the race itself. The camaraderie is weird but wonderful (a complete stranger who crossed the line the same time as me shook my hand, pleased as punch and congratulated us both). A couple of my friends are P.E. teachers and had several of their students running the race, and to see the faces of those kids, and especially the faces of their parents, was immensely encouraging.
I may not run this race every year, but I'll definitely look to run it again next year and crack the hour!
I've attached a photo taken before the start. Cricket fans will perhaps recognise St.Peter's Cathedral on the right in the background, and the light towers of the famous Adelaide Oval to the left. A fantastic place to start a race!
13 Sep 04 - 19 Sep 04
