RECORDS BROKEN AT THIS YEAR’S WASHPOOL

Contributed by Steel Beveridge

IT WAS A CASE OF VENI, VIDI, VICI (I CAME, I SAW, I CONQUERED) FOR SYDNEY RUNNER BLAKE TURNER AS HE CHARGED FROM THE START LINE AT THE WASHPOOL WORLD HERITAGE TRAILS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017.

He crafted a commanding victory as well as a new course record with a time of 3:58:11 for the 52kms of World Heritage Trail linking Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks.

Turner lowered the record held by David Waugh by 14mins.

Runner up Mike Carroll and third place finisher Oskar Booth were closer together with times of 4:19:47 and 4:20:38 respectively, which would have won the event on numerous previous occasions.

Equally impressive in her runaway victory was the winner of the women’s 52kms division Hannah McRae from Armidale, NSW.

She too demolished the course record with a time of 4:40:18 which took 27mins from the time posted in 2014 by international ultra runner Jodie Oborne.

In fact Queensland ultra running legend Deb Nicholl placed second with a time of 5:03:04 and Clare Palmer took third in 5:03:04 – both finishing under the old record.

The 25kms event held entirely in the Gibraltar Range Park was won by Daniel Gooch from Saumarez Ponds, NSW in 2:08:09 who was chased to the finish by the first and second ladies Katy Duffield from Noosaville, Qld (2:11:16) and Coffs Harbour’s Jan Rooney (2:14:11).

Both ladies were well clear of third place getter Imogen Dean from Armidale.

Taking second for the men was Duncan Meikle (2:19:47) with 53-year-old Craig Stainton third (2:22:39).

Seventeen-year-old Katie Porra flew the flag for Grafton, NSW with a convincing outright victory beating both men and women in the 9kms with an impressive 46:52.

Sam Herd was the first man to the finish in 48:09 – 35 seconds ahead of Michael Wenban with Sam Willis following in the second woman, 15-year-old Chiara Wenban (50:05) to claim third spot for the men.

Third woman was Erin Wilkinson in 56:41.

While the size of each field was somewhat affected by the wet weather, the quality and calibre was most definitely not.

Organisers from the Trail Running Association of Queensland were pleased with all the positive feedback received from participants.

In particular, the 50kms runners were most appreciative of the support provided on the course by volunteers Jeff, Lynette, Bruin and the sweepers Hubertien and Ken.

Pictured: Hannah McRae chases her first place win at the Washpool World Heritage Trails last month. Photograph – Bruin Hutchings.

Steel Beveridge is the Race Director for Washpool World Heritage Trails.