Hi everyone, just touching base (Ben here) - been offline for a few days! Not deliberately, more due to technology fails! Just briefly (more to come soon) I am just in absolute awe and wonderment of the achievements that happened last weekend. I dont care whether you made it or not, just looking at the photos at all points along the course makes me realise how tough everyone did it (Emma Barlow and Natasha Paffett its ok to not smile occasionally look like youre in pain you know! haha :) ). I am sorry that I missed seeing everyone in action, whether it be at CP1 or the Finish. I do love RDing but believe me I try and stay at CPs for as long as I can to watch the action come in. There were a few lessons learned again this year but I trust on the whole everyone found the event to their liking. To be honest it looked like there was going to be a course change next year (starting on the beach at Waitpinga and finishing at Kuitpo Forest - where CP5 currently is) but reading the reviews I am wondering if it is best to leave it as is. But anyway, thats a thought for another time. Personally I think the event was the best that I have hosted thus far (including the 6/12/24). The support I had was unbelieveable. Sadie Cranston was always there to help and I hope she will stay on as a valuable contributor to Yumigo! events. There were so many tasks that she stepped up to the plate for and I really couldnt have done it without her. The volunteers were freakin AMAZING! So many people put in so much of their time and did extra for me that thank you is just not enough. I really hate singling people out because everyone put in more than was required but in particular the Maffeis with Maurices brownies and pasta plus Sue and Gabby putting in Checkpoint time from morning till night, Cath Danz and Pauline Seaman who gave so much of their time and petrol, Lee Skywalker Cooper and Jarrod Millhouse again, hours and hours of work, Sue Coad who was both crewing for Mike plus helping at CPs and also made spag bol (even a special one for me because she knew I wouldnt eat anything all day), Paul Rogers sponsor and volunteer extraordinaire, Michelle and Lachlan and Merrilyn and Malcolm McMillan taking care of their CPs with no fuss, Jimmy and Louise who also brought food for the runners - all the volunteers stepped up and made the runners feel like they were at a party (albeit a hot one). Remi Angus, Grace Lambert-Smith and Rachel Lobban who, despite being pregnant was happy to sit in the shade and do timing duties (we wont mention that she may have done some light-lifting, despite our best efforts to keep her on light duties!), Dani Taylor and Ana Sala, Julie Quimby, Andy Flies and Emily Johnstone, plus Sean Sweetman and there were so many extras!! And this isnt even mentioning the crews... once again the H105 was just one big mobile party... Bugger this was meant to be brief. Thanks to our First In Sports Aid attendants Michael and Susan. Susan patrolled the finish line like a guard dog - more than a few runners were gently reminded to get warm asap - NO ARGUMENT! Speaking of which, Lee Hosgood and Emma Tanzer did a sterling job with tending to runners given their nursing backgrounds. it was all very reassuring for me and again I couldnt have done without their help. Thank you girls... really, thank you. And the ambulance officers at the end - I really must find out their names. They did a great job with Toby who gave us a bit of a scare. We were very fortunate to have them so close. And I also havent even mentioned the helpers in the leadup, course markers, bib printers, shirt designers SALLY CASTON thank you again. The bibs and shirts for this event are the best I have seen for ANY event EVER (ok so I could be biased, but seriously how fun was the design and colours!). The medals and trophies, wine, backpacks from Geigerrig, all the support from sponsors such AMB and AURA and Nutrition Strategies.... and thanks to Toby who flew out here to give our little event some prestige. And also to the other interstaters Bernd, Justine and Alice. We hope you enjoyed this new side of South Oz. As you can appreciate, the organisation required by this event is massive. Its almost beyond my capabilities now and without Sadie this year it wouldnt have reached the quality that it did. Next year 100 runners did I hear you say? Pass me a Panadol quick. Shirts. Most of you have your tops. I have a list here of what is outstanding. I will email this list out before I place the final order to make sure I have everyone covered. If you would like to order extra shirts let me know too. Refunds. Yes there are about three of you who withdrew who are awaiting this. Im getting this organised as quick as I can - I wont forget! Drop bags. I have about a dozen bags to be collected. I have already arranged with some of you. Bernd I have some of yours. Shall I just post these back to you? To the rest: email me or private msg to arrange collection. I also have a few lost property items, including a wooden fold-out chair. Unfortunately no-one left any money behind but I did come across some of Maurices brownies which somehow managed to stay hidden. Really, I didnt hide them on purpose. But best I eat them now, cant let them go to waste. Let me know if you are missing any items and I will get back to you. Thank you to everyone for your contribution. So whats next? We have the Bad Taste Fun Run coming up in early November, then I have some secret news about a summer trail series beginning in December... oops, thats just between you and me though ok?
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:32:04 +0000
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