Australia Day Fun Run 2011

Mornington Peninsula Shire Ausday Fun Run website results
6km Dromana to Rosebud 8:30am Wednesday 26 January 2011, Australia Day holiday

First time I have done this race, last year I did the Mount Martha MMAD swim on Australia Day, but it was hard work ;)

No PB, in fact my third fastest 6km time of 24:42 (behind 24:13 24/5/10, and 24:31 11/12/10), but a good solid run. Finished 8th (of 683), and 6th in Gender and Open Category. My results online and Garmin.

Didn't quite get the time or position I was hoping for, but the course was slightly long (by the Garmin) and there was a lot crowding/weaving. I need more speed, need to drop under that 4min/km average, I was only 2mins behind the winner. Couldn't tell what position I was along the run, because we were in amongst the 10km runners. I only noticed being past by 1 6km runner, even though I slowed a bit in the second half, I passed a few juniors then.

I choose the 6km (there was 10km also), as I figured I would be more competitive in the shorter race (the serious runners do the 10km :), and also I could jog back to the start afterwards, rather than wait for the buses which didn't start till after the presentations at around 10:40am.

Unfortunately the start was a bit of a mess, the 6km runners ran along some grass, and were expected to join the trail, but there wasn't really a path through to it, so there was a bottle-neck and some bush-bashing. Also the 10km race, which was scheduled to start at 8am, started 8mins late, this meant the bulk of the 10km runners were immediately in front of us 6km runners on the course when we started, even though the 6km start was delayed 4mins. This meant a lot of weaving around for the first few kms.

The course itself was quite good, either on gravel trail (surface like The Tan) or on the partially closed road. It was only on the return jog that I noticed any of the sights (such as beach, lighthouse, pier,...) . One interesting feature was running through the beach front camping ground, with people sitting out front of the caravans in dressing downs cheering us on.

All up good race atmosphere, freebies and carnival at the end (and start), flat course. I was impressed by the number of patriotic people, runners and spectators, wearing and waving the Aussie flag. Would be good the drag the family along next time, if I could get them out of bed.