Running In A Furnace for a Cause by Kevin Matthews

Hear from Kevin Matthews all about january's 24 parkruns in 24 hours

As well as running every parkrun in under 24 minutes (get it, 24 parkruns in 24 hours, all finished in under 24 minutes), Phil also drove the first three or so allowing me to ride shotgun. Once he stopped and Bradley took over I was moved back to economy class in the back, albeit I had a window seat with my own personal sliding door, luxury.

Over the 24hr period there were only a couple of times I really struggled and doubted I’d finish. The first time was Carine parkrun at 3pm. The heat was incredible and close to 42c. We had just finished Whitfords Nodes parkrun and assumed the temperature would drop, unfortunately we had not taken into account the sea breeze which had cooled us the parkrun before Carine. This breeze was well and truly gone and all we had were Sahara-like conditions. 

I had arranged for both my wife and my mum to meet me at Carine and hand over a Brownes Mocha Chill (basically a protein drink with a kick and full of sugar). They both witnessed me stumbling about sucking up icy poles like my life depended on it, actually at that moment in time it may have.

Karen has seen this many times before and knew to leave me to it and not get involved, probably the best thing to do. They both left and I was escorted back to the van, we had a schedule to keep.

After Carine we ran the Yokine parkrun which was better as there was some shade and I had recovered a tad by the time we were ejected from the air conditioning heaven that was team Gore’s family van. I just had to survive two more parkruns before a good break for dinner but better than that if I could survive Maylands parkrun, the next one post Yokine. There was a 20min drive to Applecross parkrun, in that time I could neck the Brownes Mocha chill. This was a risky move as 600ml of milk can go either way on a upset stomach, it really is a kill or cure move. Luckily in this case it was a cure and I ran Applecross parkrun better than all previous parkruns finishing ahead of Phil, although I had started earlier due to worrying about what was going to happen.

Post Applecross we were 11 down with 13 to go and hopefully better conditions. We had a good break for dinner and managed to find a Pasta Cup outlet which is built for runners doing this kind of event, carbohydrates in a cup and lots of them. I never finished the portion but it gave me the energy I needed for another six or seven hours of running. As I said earlier I had no real nutrition plan, mainly brought on by having no nutrition. I was surviving on Bix products and any sweets available in the van – thanks Tom, Bradley and Aaron.

I was a new man after my pasta meal, a similar story after my Mocha Chill. With ultrarunning it’s all about hydration and nutrition, get these right and you’re halfway there. Unfortunately getting the mix right is difficult and it takes experience to judge the conditions accordingly and tweak your plan. In this case the humidity was a killer and we were taking onboard at least a litre of electrolytes an hour. I would run the parkrun, head back to the van and just drink as much as I could stomach before the next one. Alternating between electrolyte tablets and powder, all supplied by Bix.

I made it through the night but for the last few parkruns I couldn’t stomach even water, the end was in sight so I knew I was okay for this one but for longer ultras I use more ‘proper food’ rather than hunting just calories and sugar.

The evening parkruns became harder and harder with my average pace slowing accordingly. The meatball hit lasted a few hours but eventually the body starts to crave more calories and I knew I wasn’t providing them. My only saving grace was my Bix powder which was full of carbs. I actually felt better when I was running and the journeys to the runs started to become the problem. As soon as you stopped you started to sweat and then sitting in an air conditioned van made this even more profuse, luckily my towel protected the upholstery (well it was better than nothing?). While in the van you had to prepare yourself for the next run as time was always against us. You had enough time to update Strava, maybe a quick post on Facebook and then drink and eat as much as you could stomach before charging your Shokz headphones and iPhone. Once you arrived at the next location you had a few minutes to prepare whatever hydration you’d need and then off you went. Changes of clothing or applying Sudocrem was a luxury you’d rarely have time to think about, it was that tight on time. 

I did make sure I used Fisocrem every four hours or so and it helped big time, combined with a couple of Nodoze and a few paracetamol, don’t judge me.

Homestead, Champion Lakes, Shipwreck and Calleya parkruns came and went and by the time we hit 2am I was ready for a Maccas visit, although I don’t eat junk food but was hoping for a bacon and egg sandwich or a hash brown. As it was they hadn’t started the breakfast menu so I was left with a chicken burger, fries and Fanta. This was a mistake and it made the next parkrun, Bibra Lake at 2:31am, a real test.

I started well enough but fell apart in the last few kilometres, I was not in a happy place. It’s amazing how long a 5km can feel, even after running 18 of them previously.

After Bibra Lake there were 5 more parkruns to complete but the next two, South Fremantle and Cottesloe, were particularly testing with beach sections. As we lined up at South Fremantle I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to complete the run in time, it was 3:30am, and we were well into the witching hours ( between 2am and dawn, the most dangerous time for ultra runners). As it was when we started to run I found my rhythm early and actually enjoyed the time on the beach. Andy Baldwin got me through this parkrun together with Sarah and we ran the last few kilometres together, dare I say enjoying the moment. This was then duplicated for Cottesloe parkrun and then the sun rose and all was good. In any ultra, make it to sunrise and you’re good for another few hours, guaranteed.

Once I spied the sunrise I was never not going to finish. The final three parkruns saw other runners join in as we were into early Sunday morning. As the numbers rose so did our energy levels and we could all start to see the finish line a few hours away. 

Claremont parkrun was number 22 so a few of the lads put on their tutus and skipped around full of the joys of spring (or summer in this case). The morning temperature was a relief from the heat we had endured the previous day although we could feel the temperature start to rise by the minute.

Next it was Burswood before the final parkrun at Claisebrook. To comply with tradition all the nine runners who had completed all 23 parkruns had a shot of Fireball Whisky, to warm the stomachs before the final parkrun, number 24. I’m not a big drinker. In fact for 2023 I had two pints of Guinness after running Delirious West 200 miler in February and maybe a glass of red wine on the plane to Run Britannia in May, that’s it. That was probably my first spirit since the Tequila shots after finishing Unreasonable East in 2021.

I digress, the Fireball went down well but I must admit to feeling a tad ropey that afternoon although the previous 24 hours may have had something to do with that but I’m blaming the Fireball.

Nine of us finished all 24 parkruns and I had to work very hard. In the end it was an incredible journey with good friends and so much laughter mixed in with some serious ‘pain cave’ time, mentally testing situations and an opportunity to find out more about yourself; what more could you wish for.

A massive shout out to team Gore for letting me hitch a ride in their van, which unfortunately should now be destroyed, six sweaty runners for 24 hours in one van does not end well for anybody. At the end of the event I promised never again but after a few days I can’t wait for 2025. Next year I will insist on an esky full of icy poles, avoid Maccas like the plague and bring my own food. Assuming the temperatures are lower maybe next year it’ll be easier, maybe?

I’ve already asked Phil for my seat on the 24 hour bus and I’m hoping the rest of the 2024 runners do the same, it’s tradition and runners love traditions.