SOCIALLY UN-DISTANCED AT THE ELEPHANT TRAIL RACE

Contributed by Jeremy Rankin, AURA Member

Elephant Trail Race, Cairncross State Forest (NSW), 17-19 July 2020

“Just checking on how refunds work if the race gets cancelled?”

I suspect race directors Mathew & Kerry took plenty of such queries when Elephant Trail Race entries hit the radar in late April. It is unfortunately part of the routine for a race director now, it seems, in a tough 2020.

For me, Buffalo Stampede had been cancelled and UTA postponed, so I was eager to get an event on the board. With my 47th birthday falling on the Saturday of race weekend, it seemed like the stars were aligning for this to be the year for a trip up to the stunning mid-north coast.

I broke the news to my coach Joe Ward at Manly Beach Running Club, that my second tilt at the 100 mile distance was locked in. The first had resulted in a DNF at the GNW ultras last September, which left me physically depleted but with a bunch of lessons to take to the next one.

At this stage we were about 9 weeks out from race day. Joe immediately added a key ingredient into my schedule – the easy 90-minute HR Zone 2 session. This quickly became a favourite; I’d aim for 3 runs per week on the same out and back road loop from home up through Hornsby Heights. I tried different hours of the day to get used to different conditions. It was an ideal session to throw on a good running podcast for inspiration (which I don’t tend to do on a trail run or harder session). I became accustomed to my “I could do this all day” pace.

Race weekend

Having not been to the area pre-race, I sought out the most-discussed aspects of the course from other runners. The big elevation gain and loss (around 1,450m of each) within 27K. The steep, rugged climbs up Mt Cairncross. The 1.5K rocky creek bed. And the end-of-the-earth section known as Death Valley.

I’d be tackling all the above on each of the 6 laps of the miler event …

Over the weekend, there was a great mix of distances from 13K to 200K, all using the same trails. The 200K and 100M runners started at 8pm on the Friday night with 2 anti-clockwise loops. I managed to complete these in around 10 hours – just before sunrise. I had spent a bit of time with other runners on loop 1, which was handy given it was my “reccy” loop. On loop 2, I was more relaxed; running and hiking at my own rhythm. As much as I love running with a group, there is a unique sense of solitude wandering through the forest at night, by yourself with the light crunching of your runners on the loose gravel.

Loops 3 & 4 required a switch to the clockwise direction. I had made it through to sunrise; an enchanting period as light starts to filter through the trees and the first bird sounds welcome the new day. The Saturday morning also saw the start of the 100K and 50K races, so it was refreshing to have some mates and strangers pass by to exchange “coo-eee’s” and other well wishes for our respective journeys.

As the loops went by, my legs were holding up remarkably well. The conservative running plan (with plenty of hiking) and constant refuelling meant that the Start/Finish area was purely about topping up the Tailwind, water and energy bars and then back onto the next loop. No thoughts about using the checkpoint chair; this being a massive improvement over my deterioration at GNW by the 80K mark.

By loop 4 we were continually crossing paths with runners in all directions at various stages of their own races. I bumped into RD Mathew at the top of Death Valley and tried to convince him that this section actually got easier each loop. To explain – it is the north-west side of Mt Cairncross on private property that never gets used except on ETR race day! With the aim of creating enough accumulated elevation for UTMB points, it’s 800 mtrs down at about 30-35% gradient (and then straight back up); and you are clambering over loose shale for most of it. But after a couple of loops you start to know what to look for, focussing on the stable rocks rather than the loose ones. Mathew was not convinced; I don’t think he wanted to hear any positive stories about Death Valley!

With 4 loops done, it was time to change directions again to anticlockwise for the final 2. And Joe would be jumping in to pace me for these through the second night. Head torch back on, lots of chatter, still lots of hiking. A couple of moments where the cold almost got to me and a few yawns or sleepy vision; but generally felt good.

By the 5th loop there were big gaps both in front of and behind me. So the usual rendezvous with other runners on the out and back section of Death Valley didn’t arise. I remained conservative with the knowledge that a single stumble could induce a cramp that would ruin the last couple of hours. We made it down the last descent of Mt Cairncross with about 34 hours on the clock, and the message came through that the first two milers had crossed the line together. I set my target of 35.5 hours and got into a (relatively) hasty jog. It turned out to be an unexpected run session with Joe, some tips on the short down hills, leg speed, etc. And by now we had the 25K and 13K races starting, so more fresh faces to say hello and exchange well wishes.

The finish line arrived at 35hr 21min. The job was done.

Post-script and what’s next?

Mathew & Kerry and their team of helpers deserve a medal. Certainly one for their resumes to have put a successful event on with the restrictions and hoops to jump through.

Joe did in fact receive a medal for his 14 hours of guiding me through the second night on course. No doubt his slowest 50K ever! But given what he went out and achieved a week later in Canberra, I will convince myself that it was more helpful than not! (Well done champ).

As a challenge, this ticked many boxes. Covering the distance was one thing, however I feel most satisfied and confident from getting through two nights and 35+ hours of time on feet. But I know the next event of this nature will now be about more than just finishing; and the run-hike balance will change up.

Anyway, I heard a whisper than they haven’t had a 200K finisher at ETR within the 41 hour time limit yet. Just sayin’…

Pictured: Joe Ward and Jeremy Rankin at the 2020 ETC. Photograph – Supplied.