The Final Domino Falls by Greg Wilson

Winx could never win a Melbourne Cup, so why am I here doing what my body is not suited to?

A runner with 4 min for 1500m, 15 min for 5 km, 69:30 half marathon and 2 hr 30 min marathon. How can I sensibly expect to extend my body and mind into multi day ultramarathons and expect a satisfying result? Why climb Mt. Everest…because it was there!

I tried the Colac, Vic. 6 Day way back in 1993. Totally unfit and went home on day one. Finally I weakened and had another go in Adelaide 2022, chasing Cliff Young’s 48 Hour record….went home day one. Okay! The first sign of insanity is attempting the same thing and expecting a different result, however if I am known for anything, perhaps it is my determination.

In 2024 I chose to run Chicago Marathon instead, but the itch niggled and in 2024 I was back at Thorndon Park, Adelaide with a plan to get past day one. Finishing was the most difficult thing I have ever done and my thanks to Justin and Allie for helping me survive. Everything that can go wrong….did go wrong. Result 5^th in Australian Championship with 532.159 kms and this still 121 kms short of Cliffy’s M70 record.

An enthusiastic group of NZ runners were there and later said they were holding the first NZ 6 Day, at Hagley Park Christchurch. A flat course in beautiful running conditions. I had stated that the 10m hill each lap at Thorndon Park had cost me 50 kms and now an opportunity to put my money where my mouth was.

So in Oct 2025 at age 73 I had my first reasonable result in a 6 day event. Unfortunately the weather carrot proved inaccurate. Much of the event was spent huddled under multiple sodden layers, trying to keep hypothermia at bay, as the deluge pounded down. I persevered for over 4 days and 16 hours until I had surpassed Cliff Young’s Aus M70 record for 500 kms. Totally spent I headed for the tent for six hours of badly needed sleep. Goodbye any further record, as I wasn’t sure I would even go back out.

Result 3^rd Male with 591.515 kms. I had improved by 60 kms on the flatter, cooler course….however I was still 60 kms short of Cliffy’s 34 year old record.

The temptation was to remain “Mr Inbetween”. The M70 Aust. 50 km (Randall Hughes) was unachievable, but I had collected all intermediate records, with Cliffy unassailable at the endurance limit of 6 Days. No one is “best” and no one needs everything… so be satisfied.

Then shortly after, came the news of a shift of dates for the NZ 6 Day, to Easter and the “promise” of better weather. I chose to return, instead of the tempting World Marathon Age Group Championships, in exotic Capetown, South Africa. Two months of recovery was followed by three months of training. I slowed my pace right down and added a lot of walking, which was duplicating my event pace and hopefully allowing sufficient recovery to back up day after day. Six weeks of averaging 150 kms per week, had me as fit as I could get. However I was flat and dog tired. A head cold 3 weeks out gave me an excuse for “early taper” and the dream that I would freshen up to feel like running again.

An urgent purchase of new shoes, when a week out, I found my recent purchases were illegal for record attempts (stack height). This time I didn’t almost miss my flight and pre-race my (Ashburton NZ) Matthew took great care of me and set me up to compete. It was great to be back in beautiful Hagley Park meeting friends old and new. Though I have run for over 55 years I am a novice at these events and consider myself a one man experiment. I was hoping this one didn’t implode!

I set a schedule of as much as possible without strain on day one and then attempt to be over 100 kms per day. Gnawing at my subconscious was that last year all I could average after day two was 85 kms! Anyway if you don’t aim for the record amount, then you are sure not to achieve it. My plan was to do everything softly and relaxed to avoid injury and exhaustion as long as possible. Vital also to keep moving and not spend long periods in the armchairs at Hagley Park Golf Club. So off into the unknown…

Day One was 145 kms and achieved on no sleep.

Day Two was 110 kms (Total 255 kms) with two hours of sleep about halfway and happily it was now down to covering 100 kms per day. 32 kms short of my Australian M70 record, but I was still cruising.

Day Three: One waits for the axe to fall and one hour into day three it happened. No warning and a sudden sharp pain in the toe. I wasn’t moving a step and summoned Kyle (Shelly Hughes husband and crew) to bring first aid gear. Shoe off we looked at a pool of toenail and flesh floating in a clear fluid. Urgent decision made to push it back together, firmly bandage it and then…keep moving, pretend it hasn’t happened.

At this stage I settled into a rhythmical fast walk to both protect the toe injury and because the day was becoming hot for running. This walking was the best I have ever done and I was loathe to run again. I continued to eat and drink plenty to keep the body fuelled and added another hour to my sleep total.

Day Three was 105 kms (Total 361.376 kms) This was a PB by 24 kms, about third best M70 in the world all time and gave me a little breathing space above record pace. However it is sobering to know we are only halfway.

Day Four and at last there is a record to aim for at 500 kms. My own 4d 16h 35m from last year. I remembered how exhausting this period was last year, as I narrowly got past Cliffy’s mark. Hallucinations, sleep deprivation and straight off to bed.

It is such a grind that little rewards are important for morale. My stops were now in the hub but I tried to keep them brief. If I was unable proceed in a straight line, I would try brief naps until able to function again. Sometime around midnight I reached 500 kms with a new Australian M70 record of 4d 13h 40m 31s., taking approximately 3 hours off my 2025 time. Off for a short sleep and then on with the journey. Nephew Matthew was crewing the final half and he went off for a much needed sleep, with me assuring him that I would be fine.

Day Four covered about 100 kms (Total) 460 and still in front of schedule, keeping in mind, one long sleep and that buffer is well gone.

Day Five and famous last words as sleep deprivation caused glacial progress, with frequent visits to the “snooze chairs”. I was well aware it was time wasting, but if you can’t proceed in a straight line then it’s not worth being out there. Perry advised me to take a longer break to revive but I said, I know I need it, but there is no spare time. Each sleep is no more kms and then less time to accrue them. A double edged sword! Also it was almost sunrise and my hope was a revival.

I even tried some running just to assure myself that I had this hidden weapon I could use if the situation became desperate. I could do it, but I restricted my running until the record was in sight. Injury and exhaustion could still bring me down after all this effort. The risk was not worth it. I resumed walking but my earlier rhythm was now gone. With sun rise I did come good and in Matt’s absence Kyle and various kind crew kept me going.

Day Five was approx. 100 kms (Total 560 kms) Still on schedule and ONLY 24 hours to go.

Day Six I saw Matt and scribbled out an hourly schedule so I would be aware of any slowing and not leave an impossible task in the final hours. The dark hours were not pretty but it was the final night. Throughout the first 18 hours I felt the pace was still slow and dreaded the thought of plodding along in my risk free comfort zone, while the record slipped away.

On the final morning while Matt was on a break, I decide, “ If I was going to die, it would be with my boots on!” I took the risk of running again. It was 5am after a brief sleep and nine hours remaining to cover 25 km and surpass Cliffy. It sounds simple but after 135 hours, nothing is a given.

At 11.12 am I crossed the line with a total of 653.85 kms. I had done it at last. Celebrations, euphoria, relief. Into the chair, a leg massage, a cuppa and hot cross bun. Perhaps go out and jog a few later.

I had been joking with people about wanting to surpass “The Devil’s Number” 666 kms, but couldn’t recall the significance. Suddenly my world changed, when I looked down and saw it written, way at the top of my aspirations. 666 kms was the runner above Cliff Young on the all-time world rankings.

PANIC! Perhaps this was a bigger prize than the record and here I am throwing away the opportunity. Out of the chair, food and drink unfinished, running and hoping that my body hasn’t seized up after stopping. Forget the last 142 hours, I needed 13 kms in 1 hr 45 min and that was the only figure that mattered. Once before after attaining Cliffy’s 48 Hour record I had blasted around the AIS track for 2hr 30 min, so I knew I could do it….after 6 days? Perhaps.

Fast as I possibly could without busting and I surged past “The Devil” into world number three all time. Only 13 mins to go, so perhaps I can get one more loop in. I fell just short and at the time of writing my unofficial distance is 669 kms approx. RD says 665 but I said my records, taken from the race timer show more… so please look again.

What a memorable way to finish my best performance in 55 years of running. I didn’t look at “The Toe” until back in Australia. Amazed it allowed me to finish, but repair will be a work in progress. It is so important to take advantage of perfect conditions and to leave nothing out there.

I am still amazed that a plan I invented for myself could be followed so closely and result in a record that I will treasure. Of course it can be broken…but surely another 34 years is not too much to ask!