RACE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – WTF

Contributed by David Kennedy, Waterous Trail on Foot race director

The 6th Annual Waterous Trail on Foot 50 and 100 Milers (WTF) was set to be the biggest and best event yet! The weather can be quite fickle in WA in September with everything from 14 to 29 degrees maximums during those six years.

This year’s race was looking like the second hottest with a forecast of 24 degrees and coming from a cool wet winter, the West Aussies hadn’t seen this heat since May. Big name visitor Stephen Redfern had though, with his last long run in NSW being 32 degrees. Our visiting French athlete Angelique Plaire was also used to the heat, residing in tropical New Caledonia.

Runners lined up at either end of the Munda Biddi Trail – 50 Mile runners in Jarrahdale and 100 Mile runners in Dwellingup. They would cross paths en route with both races finishing in Dwellingup.

The 50 Miler, with the addition of a kids race and a relay, had a large friendly atmosphere for the first leg to Kingsbury Road. Gerry Hill went to the lead and AURA member Alex Keys was also near the front after having to drop back from the 100 to the 50 due to work commitments.

Hill led from start to finish to record the victory with Keys holding on for third place.

Also near the front were AURA members Andrew McLeish and Chris Lark.

Lark finally got the 50 Mile monkey off his back with a third time lucky finish.

AURA vice president Alexis Oosterhoff made a successful return to the longer distances finishing after a tough day at the office.

In the women’s 50 AURA member Sophee Gardiner was chasing Michelle Brown all day before finally securing her first ultra podium spot with second place.

Previous 100 Mile winner Crystal Shui rounded out the podium.
Stephen Redfern went straight to the lead in the 100 and was never headed, finally finishing in a race record 16:45:09.

Angelique Plair was leading through the first aid station, but an incorrect turn shortly after had her lose a few minutes and Jen Millum hit the lead. English speaking and reading difficulties caused a few problems out on the course, but fortunately we were able to get Plaire around the course with no more excursions. The French women was soon back in control racing to another course record and second overall in 19:04:45.

Millum also ran a brilliant race to be fifth overall and third fastest all time for the women in second place.
Unfortunately there were a few DNFs, but Shane Holstein defied the warm weather racing to third place male in his 100 Mile debut.

In another successful day on the trails, AURA’s Glen Smetherham snuck home for his fourth belt buckle finishing with eight minutes to spare before the 24-hour buckle deadline.

Runners relaxed on the lawn at the finish line, cheering in their fellow runners with a great atmosphere at the finish.
Next year the WTF moves back to the actual Waterous Trail for what should be some fast and scenic racing conditions. Just the other side of Dwellingup, but heading south, the new course should offer cooler shady conditions with sections along the Murray River and an awesome start/finish location at Nanga Bush Camp with onsite accommodation for 50+.

Pictured: WTF race director David Kennedy with some of the WTF entrants. Photograph – Peter Barry.