COBURG AND BEYOND

Contributed by Greg Wilson, AURA member (Kyneton, Vic)

COBURG 24 HOUR, COBURG EAST (VIC), 9-10 April 2022

Christy Lambert (AURA member from Romsey, Vic) had a teenage athletics career as a talented 400m hurdler, but life got in the way and it was put on hold. After a break of around 20 years, in an effort to find an enjoyable leisure activity, she again commenced running. After a few years this included longer runs, with a group of Mt Macedon trail runners.

Greg Wilson commenced running at 17 after joining the Army and being told “run”. After about 15 years and 30 marathons he retired injured. Then in the 90s came a 6 year ultra career in which he won or placed in most events. After a break of around 20 years, he decided to get fit enough to attempt a marathon again. After some years of solo training he discovered a group called Mt Macedon Trail Runners and joined them for long weekend runs.

In April of 2019 during a 2 hour group run in the Cobaw Ranges, I was introduced to a new runner, Christy Lambert. The top local female runner Sarah Schroeder said “Don’t worry about me, Christy is just starting out and will beat anything I have done.” The next day we did another 2.5 hours of solid run on Mt Macedon. I thought that’s one BIG weekend, these girls can really run. Mainly they just trained because they enjoyed exercise and companionship in the beautiful Mt Macedon bush.

Finally in Dec 2019 Christy joined us in a 24km Gold Rush trail event and came 3rd female, finishing 7 min in front of me. Except when I got lost once, this was the first time one of the locals had got to the finish in front of me. Yes, I was impressed!

Then Covid hit and interfered for a couple of years. A small group paced me in a virtual Townsville marathon (at Woodend). We stayed together for the first half and then Christy did a negative split of 20 minutes coming home! Unheard of! During Covid, Romsey local Mathew Collins and Christy went for a run and covered every street in Romsey, totalling over 70km.

Due to an ultra being cancelled, top Gisborne ultra-runner Mat Piper invented Crossing To The Cross so Georgia Thomas wouldn’t waste all her training. A couple of locals completed the 101km mountainous torture test with her. In August 2020 Philip Paton decided he would challenge this course and Christy agreed to accompany him. I was to pace them on the final section, which involved two ascents and a loop of Mt Macedon. All this on a cold winter night after being on their feet for 15 hours already. When they arrived I soon discovered that Phil was “crook” and struggling and his running partner, the novice Christy…seemed as fresh as a daisy! Eventually they achieved this epic feat together in 18 hrs 14 min.

A couple of weeks later I did the IAU 6 Hour Virtual Global Challenge. I was paced for 3 hours by Christy and then the same by Anna Jacometti, achieving around 65.5km (on my generous Strava).

More Covid and when we were in touch I realised that Christy had turned 40 and I suggested that she would be competitive at Masters running. Ever accommodating Christy said, “Okay, I will give it a try”. Two Championship events for two victories, at her first 10km track in 39min 14sec and first ever 8km cross country in 34min 05sec.

More Covid and we finally got together for a long training run on Mt Macedon at the start of 2022. Christy and I did 37km with 925m of climb and averaged under 6min kms. Christy picked up 25 Strava segment awards!

Since the Crossing to Cross performance I was convinced that Christy would be a fine ultra marathoner. This run convinced me further and over coffee we discussed 2 Bay’s Trail Run. I had no plan to run it but said, “I will if you do.” Ever up for a challenge Christy said yes. By now you know what I am going to say! 56 warm and difficult kilometres later and Christy is on the podium, with a 3rd in the AURA Short Trail Ultra Championship, in her first ultra!

We did a couple of similar training runs in February and discussed the next suitable event. With some trepidation I proposed an ultra event on the track at Coburg in April. “Which distance should I do?” I said I have a carryover entry for 12 Hours, but the main event is the 24 Hour. “Oh okay, I will do that then!” My thoughts, “What have I done to poor Christy? This is a huge leap from a debut 56km trail event, which was a huge leap from her debut 3 hr 09 marathon.” She may never speak to me again!

Onto Coburg

I hope Christy will put in a first hand report, but my abridged version follows. Straight to the front of the female field and behind only one male. Running strong, smooth and relaxed and to me looking right at home. About 100km after 12 Hours, but it is starting to hurt and it is going to be a difficult and painful second half. However Christy had built up a 10km buffer back to Fleur and this proved unassailable. There were periods off the track with stomach issues, but Christy showed great courage and just stayed out there, walked a lot, and ran when she could and won her debut 24 Hour track event with 175.340kms.

Meanwhile the bloke who put her through this was running for a mere 12 Hours and aiming to see how close he could get to the over 70 Age Record, even though he was not over 70 yet. I managed to find a strong last 45 minutes and came through the field to 4th, recording 100.940km to be narrowly in front of the record. Somehow I now need to maintain some fitness and find an event with lovely conditions, so I can do it again.

What will Christy do as a follow up? To my knowledge she has been on the podium in every race she has contested. A little water under the bridge, a training run on Mt Macedon, a cup of coffee, a suggestion…and “Okay, Let’s do it then!”

A couple of weeks later Christy, on tired legs, was still classy enough for 2nd Female in the 22km Run The Rock in 1hr 42m 59s. I took full advantage to be less than 5mins behind in 1hr 47m 18s.

Then the Mt. Macedon 50km Trail Ultra

Late in May Christy was ready for another ultra, this one in her backyard at Mt. Macedon. This extremely tough 50km was right up her alley and with everything going smoothly another podium result was in the bag. As the 5th runner across the line, Christy’s victory as 1st Female was achieved in an outstanding 5hrs 41min.

And the Southern Sydney 6 Hour Track Ultra

It was my turn a week later. Covid and injury had prevented my belated challenge for M65 AURA Age Records. In 2021 after years of Covid delays and a long recovery from a fall, I went to Southern Sydney for my first track ultra in over 25 years. Whilst Melbourne were still locked down, regional Victoria was given a brief reprieve. Unfortunately my flight was cancelled at the last minute, so I drove up and managed just over 60km.

Fast forward a year and I felt I was better prepared, I flew up on the day, but I was a year older…6 days from moving into M70. I had no idea what to expect, so just ran solidly and waited for the inevitable slowdown, as I paid for it. After a marathon in 3hr 44m I ran on okay, but couldn’t press too hard due to niggling cramps. In the end a couple of shoe changes proved the difference as I completed 65.230km and missed the M65 record by about 250 metres. Age graded this converted to 87km and stands as one of my career best performances.