Well this year for Yurrebilla it was really a new beginning; it was the first time that the event was being run as a race. Back in 2007 a few runners from SARRC ran the trail as a social event and last year it was more organised, but still was only a bunch of runners getting together in 3 differently paced groups to complete the trail from start to finish. In 2009, 112 runners lined up at the Belair National Park trail head with Australian Ultra Running Association (AURA) points up for grabs. Also, there were many runners from interstate and even a couple of international visitors. There was no question that it was well and truly now a race!
With some very fast goal times being thrown around prior to the start of the race I decided to change from the fast group and move into the middle group. The slow group was to leave at 7am, the middle group at 7:45am, and the fast group at 8:30am. The idea of having the different groups is so that the volunteers don't need to be out on the course for as long and it also means that a large number of runners finish at around the same time.
The slow group left in a somewhat disorganise manner, leaving one or two runners missing the actual start by about 30 seconds. The middle group was much more organised, with a group photo and countdown to the 7:45am start. Nonetheless, as most ultras are, the start was still quite relaxed compared to your typical marathon start.
My goal for Yurrebilla this year was to better my 8 hour 2008 time, but at the same time approach the race in the same manner as I do for all other ultras; and that is to pretty much run as I feel and take things easy on the climbs.
Even though I was in the middle group and I was not running any slower than last year, the pace seemed quite quick for the middle group. I thought to myself that there are either going to be a bunch of runners that blow up big time or they are clearly in the wrong group. Either way there were going to be some quick times.
The Belair section of the trail was as nice as always, and by the time we had made it to the descent down into Brown Hill Creek the runners seemed to have settled into their own pace. The various sections of the trail passed by with relative ease; McElligott’s Quarry, The Waite Institute, Kavel’s Lookout, Waterfall Gully and soon Cleland. With all of the rain we've had this year the hills are beautifully green.
As I approached the Cleland checkpoint I was starting to get quite cold and my hands in particular were absolutely freezing. There was plenty of food on offer but all I really stopped for was a quick drink, a bite to eat and to get my gloves out of my bag. I don't mind being cold, but I can't stand having freezing hands. As I headed further into Clealand my hands soon warmed up and it's amazing how much difference warm hands make.
I had now been passed by the lead runners in the fast group and they were literally flying. You could see by the look on these runners faces that they meant business; they were racing! In contrast I had slowed to a walk so I could munch on my sandwich and have a coke. The next half a dozen or so kilometers are just brilliant; running very runnable trails under the canopy of tall Eucalyptus trees. The trails were quite wet but it only added to the atmosphere of the run.
It wasn't too long before I was at the next major part of the trail, and that is the run down into Horsnels Gully. This is a section of the race that quite a lot of runners fear, and that's because it's a long and rough descent followed by one of the longest climbs on the trail. I always enjoy the Hornsnel Gully section and although I do dread the long slow climb out of the gully, it's definitely a very rewarding section that's for sure.
After exiting Horsnel Gully/ Giles Conservation Park section there is probably one of my least liked section, and that is the kilometre or so of bitumen where we have to mix it with the cars on our way into Norton Summit. Here we were greeted with sandwiches, pizza, bars, lollies and drinks. I grabbed a sandwich, piece of pizza, a drink and was off. Some people like to hang out a checkpoints, but I prefer to grab what I need and keep moving.
I was now almost at the best part of the trail, and that is Morialta. The gentle fire trails lead into the narrow gorge where you then run along the creek towards the Morialta Gorge. Having had so much rain the creek was flowing fast and I could here the first waterfall quite loudly. It was definitely the most water I've seen cascading over that particular fall. I knew that the big fall was going to be good. I could hear the roar of the large fall get louder as I got closer and I could soon see the torrent of water flowing over the falls combined with a spectacular view of the Gorge itself.
As I was running through Morialta I thought to myself that I had been running on my own for a while and it almost felt like I was just on a training run. I've run this part of the trail so many times and I almost forgot that I was in a race.
Those of us who ran Yurrebilla last year know all about the waiters at the Deep View Lookout so it wasn't a surprise to me this year, but nonetheless it was still a welcomed sight. The lady who served me the Coke said that I looked much better than most other runners that had passed through. I was taking it steady, but I definitely wasn't feeling fresh. For some reason I don't seem to show on my face how I'm feeling. During the Adelaide 6 hour one of the lap counters told me that I looked the same at the end as I did at the start. Once again it couldn't be further from the truth! I quite like reaching the Deep View Lookout as there is only a little more climbing and then I know there's a long downhill section that I quite like and after that there is only one last big climb. The Quarry track.
The cowbell signalled the start of the final big climb of the race. I never run this climb, even in training, so I definitely wasn't going to change that after having run around 50km. I know this climb like the back of my hand so I know all too well that the dreaded "reo" section lies ahead. No matter how I feel when I get to the reo section, when I get to it I always take a pause, have a deep breath and push ahead. It's not long but it does hurt. Probably a couple of minutes after I had cleared the reo and concrete block paved section I loud a clearly heard some expletives, "F@#$^%G Hell". I had a big chuckle to myself as I realised that some runners behind me just got to the reo section! That put a smile on face for quite a while.
I must admit that I was really starting to feel pretty ordinary going over the top of Black Hill but knowing that Ambers Gully was only just around the corner kept me moving along at a modest pace.
The Ambers Gully single track is a great section and I thought I was travelling well until I heard the thunder of footsteps behind me. It was Chilliman and he was moving so fast that I just stepped aside and let him go on his way. There are few trail runners out there that run downhill sections like Chilliman!
I was only a matter of 500 meters or so and I would be finishing. It really is a great finish as you seem to pop out of nowhere to see the finishing gates and cross the finish line with lots of cheers from supporters and other runners. I crossed the line in 7hrs 33min which is about 30 minutes quicker than last year so I was more than happy with my effort.
It really was a great event this year and I think the organisers did a great effort in running it run as a race for the first time. It was fantastic to see the interstate and international runners come over for the race, and at the same time have a fantastic day out. It was brilliant to see the determination of the guys who were actually racing, as apposed to most of us who just run the race. It was also fantastic to see the battlers who were out there for 10+ hours. It was also great to see so many head back to the Athelstone Football Club for dinner and the presentation.
I have no doubt that this event will only get better, especially knowing that the people involved with running this race have already started the planning for Yurrebilla 2010!
cheers
Glen (aka Wida on CR)
