BOYD THRILLED WITH 6 DAY RACE

Contributed by Marie Boyd, AURA member

Adelaide 6 Day race, SA
September 29-October 5, 2019

The Adelaide 6 Day, held at Thorndon Park in Adelaide, South Australia attracted a small but powerful field of runners. The concrete course, a certified 1425-metre loop with 10-metre elevation gain, circumnavigated the old reservoir for Adelaide’s water supply in previous years. Now a bird and wildlife sanctuary, heavily timbered with native Australian trees and plants, it is a haven for multitudes of bird species and native wildlife, koalas included.

Race director Ben Hockings and his enthusiastic crew helped provide an outstanding race experience for 6 Day, 72 and 48 hour runners. Well organised with tents, camp stretchers, tables and chairs available for loan, a 24/7 aid station, podiatrist and massage therapist, hot showers available daily, superb timing with online live tracking, international course certification and sanctioning, the race deserves to become a ‘must do’ for multi-day runners.

Weather was variable – there were cold winds some nights, hot and humid times occasionally during the day, although no rain this year. Otherwise, mostly clear and sunny days with light breezes prevailed. Course changed direction at 10am and 10pm with the more challenging uphill section in exposed sun on hot concrete happening in the late afternoon. We soon all developed a preference for the clockwise direction with its imperceptible uphill climb to the timing mat, rather than the hot and steeper climb in the opposite direction.

Fortunately for me, my brother Ross readily agreed to crew. With my personal chef on hand, and every whim catered to, I was the envy of many runners. Our campsite, set up alongside the trail was convenient for a quick, or much longer stop. My small borrowed three-man tent was perfect, and with a foam camp mattress from Ross’s van, I slept more comfortably than I can remember. My 24 hour spread sheet plan in the ‘Book of Numbers’ made life much easier for Ross, who had electrolyte supplements, food items, medications, etc ready when indicated.

My plans called for an ambitious 500km, a distance I had achieved at Across the Years 6 Day race a few years ago.

Day 1 I was on track, and happily attacked Day 2 until the heat of the afternoon, hot concrete and long uphill, wore down my resolve. It was obvious that many runners had to reevaluate their original plan with longer rest periods in the shade as the afternoon heat wore on.

Following the realisation that 500km was not on the books nor the hoped for attempt at 490km for the US Women’s 70-74 6 Day record, I happily worked on my 224-mile total from ATY last year. That re-evaluation of goals allowed for a more relaxed pace, and more sleep. 

Ross was a godsend, making sure I was sufficiently hydrated, fed and rested. One night I lay down, and woke up eight hours later, having not moved all night!

The challenge of this event is multi-faceted: The course is concrete with a short section of concrete pavers. Runners who went out fast started feeling the effects of the pounding by about Day 3. There is a 10-metre vertical gain, which adds up as the days progress. 

Heat management was most important – I found my Badwater skills of ice neckerchief and wet t-shirt were lifesavers. Feet started feeling the wear and tear of pounding and Rebecca, our podiatrist, soon found herself quite busy. She painlessly drained a blood blister on my heel, relieving the ‘ice pick’ pain I had felt for several hours. Kieran, a volunteer massage therapist, did a roaring trade with 20-minute complimentary massages later in the evening.

Lack of sleep was the next challenge to overcome – many runners could only rest for the first few days as sleep eluded them, causing extreme fatigue and mood changes. Several opted for afternoon shady naps, but many of us couldn’t sleep then. 

By about Day 4 most of us had given in to the need to sleep for a longer period at night, feeling the benefit from having done so.

 There were a couple of hard falls, not the least of which was John Timms, a 77-year-old runner who fell hard and sustained a nasty laceration to his face. He was taken to hospital for sutures and observation, but returned ready to go out again and finished the last 48 hours in style. Another runner and I tripped on a slight edge of a concrete slab, both managing to survive uninjured but with grazed skin and bruised knees. To my surprise, my previously chronically painful right knee (osteoarthritis) stopped hurting; my theory is that the swelling that followed the fall must have caused some fluid buildup in my knee joint, providing the fluid cushion that ‘bone on bone’ needs.

Early mornings at Thorndon Park are noted for magpies, cockatoos, parrots, galahs, ducks and other waterfowl awakening with a noisy chorus. One night a mother koala with baby on her back, ran alongside the pathway. Another large male koala was seen for days in the fork of a tree. One morning, another lady and myself found ourselves yelling at a small group of children who were attempting to throw sticks at him to entice him to come down and play with them. We must have impressed them with our combined anger, and they decamped immediately. Happily this incident came to the notice of park management, and more signage will be erected to remind people that wildlife is protected at all times.

My 48 hour, 200km and 6 Day records from ATY were demolished. I added 12-miles to the 48-hour, took six hours off the 200km and 20 hours from the 6 Day event. For me, the event was a complete success, and one I will long remember. 

I cannot recommend this event more highly, and would encourage any runner to try the multiway format in such a well-supported environment. A trip to South Australia will not disappoint with its scenery, wildlife, wine, food, restaurants, beautiful towns and cities, coastline, historical sites and wonderfully hospitable people.

Pictured: John Timms and Marie Boyd at the Adelaide 6 Day. Photograph – Supplied.