2023 ASIAN OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS 100KM (INDIA)

Kate Dzienis • Aug 21, 2023

Contributed by Simone Hayes, AURA President & Team Manager

2023 ASIAN OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS 100km, BENGALURU (INDIA), 30 July 2023

Last year I was lucky enough to be the team manager for the 100km team at the world champs in Berlin. During this time I got to know and bond with the team, so I was excited to be able to support them once again at the Asian Oceania Championships two weeks ago in Bengaluru India.

This was a smaller team than Berlin and we had no extra crew or families travelling with us like we did last year, so taking on the job as the sole crew meant I had to be super organised and it was a little bit daunting at the start I can tell you! But we soon got into a good rhythm once the race was under way.

The team consisted of two men and 3 women so unfortunately the men could only run as individuals and not be eligible to run as a team, however they were solid on the start line ready to go and race to the best of their abilities. Grant Schmidlechner, Clay Dawson, Corrina Black, Jacqueline Kelerman and Anna Pillinger made up our team of five.

The team arrived Wednesday and Thursday so we were able to have a look around, all of us never having travelled to India before. After a day of sight seeing all the craziness India had to offer, including a walk to the city dodging the traffic – its like playing a game of Frogger – it just does not stop for people, only cows, and crossings just have a different meaning than they do in Australia 😊, uber trips which highlighted the traffic chaos (that strangely just seems to work for them and it’s a lot of fun just looking out your window!), a walking trip through the markets of Commercial Street – a real eye opener! So a busy but interesting day!

Friday morning after breakfast we did a trip out to the course to recce the 5km loop. It was good for the team to be able to see what to expect on race day. In the afternoon we visited Bangalore Palace then headed back to the hotel for a team meeting before dinner.

Saturday we did a bit of food shopping for the race and then headed to the GKVK University Stadium where the race was being held. I attended the technical meeting and then met the team for the Opening Ceremony. This champs, being smaller, had a really nice intimate feel about it, very different from previous world champs I have attended. The team from NEB Sports really made us all feel welcome and special. It was a lovely ceremony. Afterwards we headed back to the hotel for a final dinner at the Pasta Party buffet (note – beware of chillis that look like green beans…lucky it was only me that fell for it!) and early bedtime.

RACE DAY

The alarms went off at 4am so we could be down at Breakfast at 4.30am and ready for our 5am car pick up that took us directly to the stadium. We arrived in the dark to a massive team tent – bigger than I’ve ever seen at a champs! It even had a dressing room! We all went about our respective jobs – me setting up the tent and crew tables and the guys getting their gear and bibs sorted and having some quiet time to get their heads in the game.

By 6.15am it was time to walk to the call room and start line where we were entertained by the other big running event that was taking place at the same time, giving us a great atmosphere to pump up the runners. They were dancing and warming up so it was a good distraction for the teams.

Once in the call room I wished them luck and then got my spot on the start line to video them heading off.

At 6.30am on the dot they were off and I headed back to the tent to get ready for the first runner of the day to come through the pit stop! And these guys are fast so its just like a pit stop! You need good hand/eye coordination and be able to throw well!

The first two hours were nice and cool and they all looked pretty happy. But then the temps just soared as did the humidity with the rain clouds that surrounded us but never produced any rain. Eventually those clouds burned off and the sun came out and then the race kicked up a gear. Even the amazing Japanese runners were succumbing to the heat.

Grant was the first to feel off and unfortunately he had to drop at 65km after suffering what we think was the effect of a virus. He toughed it out and walked for a few laps but continued to deteriorate so we made the call to pull him from the race for the sake of his health. It was the right call. I know he was gutted but the health of our runners always comes first. Happy to say he has recovered well.

Corrina also felt the effects of the heat and had a tough day out there, but she soldiered on to the finish and got it done. Not the day she had planned, but that’s ultra running! She dug deep and got it done for the team.

Clay Dawson had a great run, finishing 9th overall in the men’s, he too had to dig deep to get it done but this lovely humble man did it with a smile on his face and was a pleasure to crew for even when he was in the hurt locker.

Jacqueline Kellerman had a strong run but was feeling the effects of her race at Comrades race 7 weeks prior and the heat also took its toll, however she still had an amazing run coming in 4th place and looked strong the whole race. She is a very experienced, classy runner that gives her all whilst maintaining her poise even when she was hurting and throwing up!

Anna Pillinger also had a strong run finishing in 5th place, with the women’s Team now securing the Silver medal! This was a great redemption run for Anna who tore her hamstring at the world champs in Berlin and had to walk the 2ndhalf of the race (she still managed to finish!) so it was great to see her have such a strong run this year. After her two A qualifiers and now this run, I hope it has improved her confidence to show her that she has what it takes to perform on a world stage.

Overall I couldn’t be prouder of this team and the effort they put into this race – they did Australia and AURA proud and we all congratulate them on their achievements at this Championship. They were a strong cohesive team that bonded and worked together and supported each other, and that’s what makes these champs so special – mateship and working as a team not as an individual.

Congratulations to you all! I absolutely loved sharing this experience with you all.