Sun 10th May 2009 Walhalla Wound-up 50
Again we were blessed with a perfect day for the running of the Walhalla Wound-Up. Unfortunately numbers were a little down but then paradise is only for those select few that are prepared to get up and embrace the dawn.
With the weather gods smiling on the beautiful township of Walhalla and surrounded by friends new, old and yet to be, how could you not enjoy the day and embrace the challenge ahead.
In the absence of our usual starter Mr Michael Leany, proprietor of the Walhalla Star Hotel, the honor fell to Jenny Comber who under immense pressure from others to do the 19k resisted and helped a fat, old ex-athlete follow his destiny of running another failure. Before I go any further and get to the part you have skipped over this bit for, to see your name immortalised in print, or to scoff at the times run and say I could have done better than that if I had run, and yes you probably could have if you had been there but you weren't so what you think doesn't matter a bit.
I am going to thank my little band of helpers who do a mighty job and whom without, the event wouldn't happen. I cannot express my gratitude enough to these people who roll out in the early hours of the morning to assist to make my life easier and allow me to confuse my A's (Ambition with Ability) expecting nothing in return, and as a by issue assist you the runner, in the name of friendship. It humbles me. Thank you Barry and Carol Summersgill, Jenny Comber, Margaret Salisbury, Leith Manson, Shannon Bailey, Ben Bailey, Jenny Pruscino for the cakes and Duncan Orr, Richard Comber, Peter Evans for their kind offer of assistance. I also thank the runners who keep supporting the event and hope you will keep coming back even after the day I get to call you all " WALLY". Special mention to Rob and Leanne Embleton who drove all the way there to offer me a ride but unfortunately were unable to wait the extra 20 minutes at the rendezvous point for me. Apologise to Jemma and Hunter Bailey for the long day. This year I was pleased to welcome Ian Twite, Brian Glover and Peter Gray in the 50k and Darrell Cross in the 37k into the Wally Club, also Jenny Comber, Barry and Carol Summersgill as honorary Wally’s for services rendered.
I would like to tell you something about the races but I was so far back that I saw nothing and nobody and was able to waddle along marveling how one could feel so miserable on such a fantastic day in Gods country and ponder why I was alone. It is inspiring to see Barry Higgins and Brian Glover taking on and conquering the 50k, and John Jervis in the 19k. These blokes should be on posters in all schools to inspire the young to get into sport or show how soft some of our young have become, and as role models for our older generation (yes I’ve got my hand up).
Now to relax for a month before I have to start writing off for permit/permission for next years event and a day or two looking over the courses to see what bridge is out or tree down or area burnt and where can I find an alternate course as back up and wandering around in the bush at 10 O'clock at night marking up and hoping the runners get there before the motor bike riders rub out the arrows or knock over the signs or the four wheel drive hoons steal the coke and jelly beans off the tables and hoping that my helpers will again put their hands up, but if I didn't have the stress then I would probably stress about it. Now on to the bit that you have been waiting for or have you already read this bit?
| Finish Pl. | Name | Gender | Age Group | Run Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Comber | Male | Vet 40+ | 04:43:49 |
| 2 | Ian Twite | Male | Vet 40+ | 04:49:50 |
| 3 | Matthew Franke | Male | Open | 05:05:13 |
| 4 | Georgia Shaw | Female | 05:28:21 | |
| 5 | David Styles | Male | 05:28:49 | |
| 6 | Robert Sutton | Male | 05:39:55 | |
| 7 | Barry Higgins | Male | Vet 40+ | 05:57:41 |
| 8 | Ken Lancaster | Male | Vet 40+ | 06:00:38 |
| 9 | Brian Glover | Male | Vet 40+ | 06:46:01 |
| 10 | Peter Gray | Male | Vet 40+ | 12:14:49 |
