KURRAWA BEACH (BROADBEACH) TO POINT DANGER AND BACK (50 KM)
QUEENSLAND ULTRA RUNNERS CLUB
SATURDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1997
by Melanie Jonker
I was out of bed at 2.15 am after a very restless night's sleep. Drove down to the Gold Coast (east coast of Australia, in Brisbane area) and dropped off my son at a friend's house at 4 am and arrived at Kurrawa Beach Surf Life Saving Club at 4.15 am ready for the 5 am start for slower competitors. This was my second ultra event (walking) in the space of 5 weeks. It was a lovely morning-a bit of cloud cover and not too humid. Brisbane had been experiencing some quite humid days the previous 4 weeks so I was a bit worried about walking through the middle of the day in the humidity.
I had a quick chat with some of the other runners and walkers and also introduced myself to the race director. Received my race number and lined up for the start. Some of the 6 am starters were there to cheer us on our way.
The course was from the Surf Life Saving Club to Point Danger and back-50 km total distance. However, the turnaround was changed to just before Point Danger which necessitated a slight variation in the route. We went out for 1 km, came back to the start and then started out again on the long trek.
The course was basically very flat and followed bicycle/walking paths along the beach front and some roads. Being along the coastline there were some good sea breezes which certainly helped as the day got progressively hotter.
From Broadbeach (the start) the course passed through Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach and Miami Beach. It was around this time that I encountered the only major climb. A set of steps up a hill. To compensate, it was down hill on the other side. From there I walked through North Burleigh and Burleigh Heads. There were plenty of people along the course-residents and holiday makers walking, running and cycling; surfers standing along the beach front surveying the waves. At Burleigh Heads the course branched off to the right and along the Gold Coast Highway. I had lost sight of the lead female walker and two runners and had the sinking feeling I had taken a wrong turn. I was in a real dilemma deciding whether to turn back or keep going. I kept going and after a while sighted in the distance a table with a red water container. Phew! Thank goodness I didn't turn back.
After leaving Tallebudgera Creek the course followed the beach front along Palm Beach, over the Currumbin Bridge and around Currumbin Point. To the best of my recollection, it was around this stage that the 6 am runners passed me. It was great to finally see someone else from the event and words of encouragement were exchanged. The course then traversed through Elephant Rock, Flat Rock, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay. It was in this vicinity I finally reached the turnaround point.
I had walked approximately 26 kms and was just over the half way point. It was getting hot by now and my feet were really aching. I had been religiously eating pieces of PowerBar and drinking lots of fluids. The jelly beans at the water stops were also a great help.
I suppose for me, the worst part about reaching the turnaround was I knew how much ground I had to cover to get back home and initially this really overwhelmed me. I knew I would really be struggling if I kept thinking of the end too much so instead I created some smaller goals for myself-each water stop. I can say without a doubt the volunteers at the water stops became lifelines to me. As I reached each one, I knew there would be a couple of minutes rest, something to eat and drink and always lots of encouragement and positive feedback from the volunteers.
After each water stop, I felt a little refreshed and walked on to the next stop. It was very hot by now and there wasn't much shade as the sun was high in the sky. My legs were aching and when I reached the only major hill it was a real struggle trying to lift one leg in front of the other. Going down the steps didn't offer much relief either. By that stage I wasn't too sure what was easier - uphill or downhill!!
I finally reached the last water stop before the end (which was approximately 3-5 kms away). Drank two cups of water and refilled my water bottle. Had a quick chat and then farewelled the volunteers and off I went.
I kept looking for a "green garage door" which was where we turned around at the beginning when we did the initial 2 km loop. I knew once I saw that door, it would only be another kilometre to go. I kept walking and walking and looking and looking until finally there was the green door. Yes!!
As I neared the finish line I could hear the other runners and walker cheering me in. As I crossed the line in a time of 7:29 (which was 30 minutes under what I had anticipated) I was handed a bottle of water and congratulated. What a feeling!! I experienced a huge rush of emotion throughout my body. Pride with myself? Relief? I finished? I guess it was a culmination of all those feelings plus the sense of accomplishing another challenge I had set myself.
I chatted with some of the other competitors. What a great bunch of friendly people. Some I had met at Rainbow Beach the month before and others on the day. I was made to feel so welcome by all and I really appreciated it. In all, there were approximately 20 competitors and this fostered a really close and intimate atmosphere.
I also had the great honour of meeting Ron and Dell Grant. One of Ron's great running feats is being the first person to run around Australia (13, 383 km) in 7 months 3 days (217 days) continuous run in 1983. I dashed off to have a quick shower and felt a million dollars (well a lot better anyway!) once I had refreshed myself.
After the last two runners crossed the line to a loud chorus of cheering and clapping, the presentations took place. It was a great thrill to receive my polo shirt and a trophy for being second walker to finish (there were only two of us!!).
The Queensland Ultra Runners' Club was holding their annual dinner that night and I was asked by a couple of people whether I was attending. Unfortunately, I had made other plans but would have enjoyed going along. There's so much more I want to find out about this ultra business.
In closing, I must offer my gratitude and thanks to Peter Gibson (race director) and all the volunteers who gave freely of their time to make the event the wonderful success it was. The assistance, encouragement and smiles from the volunteers were so welcome at a time when I was feeling worn out, tired, hot and discouraged. Their presence certainly contributed to my finishing the event. It was the little things like trying to keep the water as cool as possible that really helped. It was very hot out there and I know in some areas shade was very limited.
Peter Gibson did a wonderful job driving between water stops and encouraging all competitors. I heard the horn on his vehicle a couple of times!! Peter also kept a close eye on the last 3 competitors ensuring we were all well hydrated and feeling OK.
Thanks and congratulations Peter to a well organixed and very successful ultra event.
I left just before 2 pm to drive back to my friend's place where a few of us were meeting to have a bit of a Christmas celebration that night. Needless to say, I was exhausted and wasn't able to do too much celebrating and I slept like a log that night!
Melanie Jonker
Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Past articles:
Melanie's First Marathon: What it's like for a first-timer, including her training schedule.
