Our walkers appreciate company and also safety in numbers.  Make sure you wear bright clothing and use any reflective gear that you have, and invest in a flashing light if you can (which you can find in a cycle shop).

For more check out the Sessions page. Group leader is Michelle Goswell.

The big grudge match in this years race was between Stan Fetting (representing the old guys) and Greg Hall (aka Greg Dog), after the young upstart stole the mountain goat crown from Stan last year in a desperate dash to the finish. The little schemer missed out on the Twilight Half Marathon as well leaving Stan broken and behind in training (arguably). The battle was finely set with Stan time trialing earlier during the week but Greg having superior conditioning and rest.

Interviewed after the race Stan with his typical graciousness said “I needn’t have worried as I lost the little runt in the first km and my tactic of walking as late as possible ensured a growing gap. I kept running until we got to the first ‘unmentionable climb’ and simply had to walk up that one. The rest of the ‘unmentionables’ required walking as well as the ‘Double Whammy’ but after that the topography went from insane to only slightly insane and I ran from that point on, making sure the young upstart didn’t replicate his cowardly stalking tactics from last year.”

Stan came in 5th in a time of 1:36:24 whilst Greg came 8th in 1:42:52. Michael Stark debuted strongly in 20th position with a 1:54:35, as did Emma Chandler was 8th female in 2:06:59. Ernie Patterson debuted in 2:25:40 and Mary Jackson notched up yet another Pinnacles and as usual was chaperoning a group of runners from Redcliffe Tri Club with customary humour and encouragement. Jerrod was a star as chief cheerer at halfway, despite being distracted with taking lots of photos of himself, nearly filling a 2GIG SD card with pics of his ugly mug (as shown below)

So the battle between the old guys and the young guys moves on to Noosa Half Marathon and eventually the Gold Coast Marathon.  Many thanks to the organisers for another excellent event, which we’ll continue to support.

Starkie, Stan & Greg Dog get ready

Final adjustments before the gun - Starkie, Stan & Emma

Ernie Patterson drinks up at halfway

Greg Dog slakes his thirst ready for more hills!

Mary still smiling (centre)

Starkie coasts through halfway

Jerrod close up

Tired but happy Striders celebrate the finish

Results:
Brett Jackson: 5th place (category 36 +) Time : 31:00:76 (3min off 1st place and 5 mins off 1st place cat 19yrs – 35yrs)
Abi Griffin: 7th place (category 19-35yrs) Time : 37:03:44 (1min behind Emma Thomson and Less than 5mins off 1st place)

This was a fantastic event; I would love to see a big group go over for this next year. Asides from an enjoyable and challenging swim, there was plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the wrecks; which are teaming with ocean and reef fish and covered in coral; have lunch, and relax in a beautiful part of the world. Tips for anyone interested in next year; I will be bringing an esky, with a picnic lunch and beverages… otherwise, perfection. I have attached some photo’s as well. In the race start photo’s you can pick out Brett and I as we are both wearing Blue Seventy wetsuits which have the blue rings at the top of the arms. See photo’s me fitting my wetsuit, the mass start, me finishing, Brett finish and Brett again at the finish. See the results at the website . Article contributed by Abi Griffin.

It wasn’t a pretty run and not much fun either, but it certainly had novelty value.  The pre-race Striders banter centred on the ongoing rivalry between Stan Fetting (representing the old guys) and Greg Hall (representing the young punks).  Greg gained the ascendency in spectacular fashion at last years Pinnacles Classic and this was the first clash between the two since then.  A new ‘old guy’ on the scene was Paul Dack who proved to be a bit of a dark horse.  Stan was first Strider home in 43rd position (7th in age group) followed by Paul Dack in 100th position (21st in age group). Greg Hall came in third, and will training hard for the Pinnacles Classic to regain the ascendency and keep the young guys on top.

Kisty Jackson, after starring in the post race interviews,  came over the line first (10th women home overall) in front of Abi Griffin and Karen Brown. Mary did her usual routine of being the Mother Theresa of running by making sure that all runners came home, turning back into the tunnel to fetch more runners over the line. There were plenty of tired and rancid looking Striders gathered together at the end to swap war stories, followed by a visit to Maccas on the way home as a reward/punishment (take your pick!).  It was great to see Antony out for the first time in a while (after injury) accompanied by wife Gayle.

Check out the results here, and read discussion on the race here.