Wings for Life World Run
(Melbourne) Australia
Sunday 8th May
2016
Wings for Life is an international not-for-profit spinal
cord research foundation. Our mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injury.
We fund world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe
aimed at healing the injured spinal cord. 100% of your entry fee goes to life-changing research
projects aimed at healing the injured spinal cord. All administrative
costs of the event and foundation are covered by Red Bull.
Melbourne
Start Time is 9.00pm!
Global Live Stream
Watch the event unfold live from around the world on Red Bull TV. Download
the free app. The event hub will be pumping the live stream on the big screen
too!
Event hub
The Event Hub will be located at Patterson Reserve Auburn
Road, Hawthorn East. The Event Hub will feature race check-in, bib and event
kit collection, food & beverage stalls, bag drop, ‘lock it up’ lockers,
first aid, sponsor expo stalls, music, lighting and entertainment. It will also
feature a big screen to watch the live stream. Food outlets at the Event Hub
include:
•
SERETONIN EATERY
•
GOURMET PIES
•
CITY TO SURF CAFÉ
•
HONKERS FRIED CHICKEN
•
INDIVAN
•
BEAT BOX BURGER
•
WOODFIRE PIZZA VAN
Event Kit
Wings for Life World Run Melbourne 2016 participants will
receive an awesome event kit bag including;
•
Puma official #safetyyellow technical
event t-shirt
•
Led Lenser NEO headlamp
•
BF Goodrich trucker cap
•
BSc athlete series energy gel. Super
Berry flavour.
All participants
must wear their event t-shirt and headlamp on course.
Buses On Course
Once caught by the Catcher Car, all participants will be
able to board a bus back to the Event Hub. Buses will travel in convoy behind
the Catcher Car on the course, making it simple for all participants return
back to base. Once full, each bus will merge into the live traffic lane, exit
the Monash Freeway eastbound, and return to the Event Hub on the westbound
lanes of the Monash Freeway. Buses will continue to loop until all participants
are safely returned to the Event Hub. Buses will travel along the course from
behind the runners, please move to your right side so the buses can stop and
allow you to board. Refueling stations are also good places to catch a bus.
Space blankets will be available to keep everyone warm. You must either stop
where you finish your run or move forward along the run course route until
collected. Under no circumstances are you to walk back along the course
route, or exit the course on foot.
Event Schedule
•
9:00pm Global Wings for Life World
Run START
•
9:30pm Catcher Car leaves the start
line at 15KM per hour
•
9:35pm Bus convoy begins behind
Catcher Car
•
10:30pm Catcher Car increases speed
to 16KM per hour
•
11:30pm Catcher Car increases speed
to 17KM per hour
•
12:30am Catcher Car increases speed
to 20KM per hour
•
2:30am Catcher Car increases speed to
35KM per hour
Aid Stations
Stations will be located on the right-hand side, at
approximately every 5KM along the course. These refueling stations will have
water, Red Bull, 50/50 (Red Bull/water), bananas, toilets and are manned with
staff and volunteers.
At every second station, approximately every 10KM, there
will be First Aid.
Run on the right side of the road
Important: There are two Catcher Cars starting at 9.30pm
from the Start Line. The Catcher Cars must be able to pass all participants
WITHOUT slowing down. It is extremely important for everyone to be aware of
their surroundings and run on the RIGHT side of the course/lane. Please do not
wear headphones. Your safety is of paramount importance. Buses will
collect you once you’re passed by the Catcher Car.
Pre-race -
Last year I ran Wings for Life World Run and watched Kelly-Ann earn the
title of 1st female in Australia. AMAZING! It was awesome. In addition to seeing
Kelly win, Brad and I were on our own high after meeting Josh Wood and Mick
Fanning. Josh was the catalyst for us entering the event. If you don’t know who
Josh Wood is, follow the link; http://joshwood.com.au
I didn’t hesitate to enter Wings for Life World Run 2016. I loved the
novelty of the event and more than that; I sincerely hoped to raise awareness
and funds for spinal cord injury. We have a friend who suffered spinal cord
injury and we were exposed to the community after going to the Paralympics in 2000.
(Also, Brad is a chiropractor and Josh Wood’s chiropractor was one of Brad’s
mentors.)
Not long after I registered for 2016, I discovered that Kelly and Dion
(2nd place male in Australia 2015) had put my name forward to become
an ambassador. I was humbled and of course I said “yes!” (As the winner, Kelly
was awarded tickets to any Wings for Life World Run in 2017, and she chose the
Netherlands.)
The months leading up to the event, I was involved in social media
promotions and events. The Red Bull team (specifically Chris Esler and Allister
Payne) were fabulous. The entire time, I was looked after and given everything
I needed to confidently promote the event. I attended an ambassador lunch
(where I mingled with Red Bull employees, athletes, officials, and Josh Wood
and his family), I was part of a small event at Mt. Cannibal, and I was
interviewed by the local paper. My duties included promoting Wings for Life
World Run via social media (which was easy because I believe in the cause
anyway), I set up a small team for 360 Running, and generally helped spread the
word. Our focus was to reach full capacity (which we did). There were
approximately 3,500 participants in Wings for Life World Run (Australia).
In the week before the big day, I was unwell (allergies/cold) and my
asthma flared. Initially I set my goal – 27km (5min/km pace) but I decided to
take the pressure off and set a new goal – anywhere between 21-27km. In 2015,
Brad and I ran together and we covered 16km. This year, Brad was nursing an
injury and only decided a few days beforehand that he would still participate.
I offered to run with anyone who was interested in going out at a 5min/km pace.
My plan was to hold on for as long as possible.
Race day -
Race day was unusual for two reasons; 1) It was Mothers Day and 2) The
event starts at 9pm. Obviously most runs are in the morning. Night runs are
strange because you have time on your hands. It can be difficult to know what
to eat, nervous tension builds and you sometimes feel tired. I’m lucky that I am
a night owl (I’ve always stayed up late, studied better at night and I enjoy
running late in the afternoon).
Ambassadors were given a schedule, which included lunch and other
formalities throughout the afternoon. I’d already organised to spend the day
with my mum and sister. Plus I have my own children (who wanted to see me on
Mothers Day).
We organised for my father-in-law to mind the boys from about 4pm, and
my running friend, Rhianna arrived about the same time. Brad, Rhianna and I
headed in together. We arrived around 5:30pm and organised our race kits and
bibs. We packed wet weather gear because the forecast for Melbourne was rain
(of course). Last year it was cold after we finished running and I was glad to
have spare clothes while waiting for Kelly to finish!
I chose to run in knee-length Skins, a black singlet top (to go under
the official Wings for Life World Run reflective top), Asics Nimbus, Injinji
socks and the Wings for Life cap (with headlamp). The top was light-weight and
comfortable (much easier to run in than the reflective vest from last year). I
also wore my Flipbelt with asthma drugs and gels. I decided to stop at drink
stations for water.
When we arrived, we parked at Masters and walked a short distance to the
event hub. It was a great set up with marquees, food vans, information and
stage area. It appeared organised and had a better vibe compared to 2015. The
location for the race had moved from Elwood to Hawthorn (running straight down
the Monash Fwy). Last year there were noise complaints because it was a
residential area. I was looking forward to more noise and excitement this year
(especially for the winners).
A couple of hours before the race started, we had ambassador photos and high
profile athlete had interviews. A few ambassadors offered to be pacers; Dion
was pacing for a marathon, Ashley for 32km and Shaun for 21km. I had a few
people wanting to run around 5min/km pace but nothing official. Rhianna decided
to go out at 5min/km pace for as long as she could (she had run Mothers Day
Classic that morning and was recovering from a cold). And Mandy (another 360
Running team member) was considering the same speed. There were a few others
that I hoped to meet up with prior to the start but it is difficult to find
people in the dark (all in yellow tops). Other 360 Running team members included
Brad, Mandy, Carolyn (injured), Michaela and Melissa. Brad, Rhianna and I
managed to meet up with friends from RIOT and take some photos. We saw a few
other familiar faces and enjoyed some pre-race banter.
Just after 8pm, we made our way to the start line (we looked like a herd
of minions… do you call a group a minions a herd?) Everyone was buzzing and the
weather was perfect! Often our weather turns out the complete opposite of the
predicted forecast. Everyone was commenting on the weather and atmosphere.
People were excited! The announcer explained the rules of the race; stay in the
right lane, aid stations were on the right, the Catcher Car would come through
on the left however you would be warned by cyclists, and buses would bring you
back to the start line. After the car caught you, you were to continuing moving
forwards to the next marker or aid station. I thought of Kelly who was running
Wings for Life World Run (Netherlands). We would be running together in spirit!
Not long after the announcement, the countdown was on and the race began.
Rhianna and I ran together through the minion maze (we lost Mandy
straight away). We chatted about the weather, events and goals, as we weaved
around fellow runners. It was strange running along the Monash Fwy (two left lanes
of traffic were closed and we took over the two right lanes). It was novel! Our
first split was 5:07, followed by 4:53 (we were on target for our 5min/km
average). We continued running together but I noticed Rhianna starting to
struggle sometime after 5km. We only decided to run together in the car on the
way to the race and agreed there was no pressure to stay together. The next few
splits were closer to 5:30min/km and I knew I had to get moving. Rhianna said
she was going to walk to catch her breath (she was struggling with her cold)
and she told me to run on. I made sure she was ok and said I’d see her at the
hub. The next split was 4:47min/km… I had to make up time but I wasn’t sure how
much faster I could run. I was a little inconsistent as the undulations rolled
on and I walked through aid stations. My pace dropped about 10 seconds every
drink stop. Also, I chatted to a few runners along the way. I met a guy from
Taiwan, Wilfred, who had specifically flown to Melbourne to participate in
Wings for Life World Run (Australia). He was aiming for 25km and informed me we
were right on track. Unfortunately I had accidentally changed the settings on
my Garmin and although I was getting an alert for each split, I had no other
data. I had no idea how long I had been running (time or distance). The course
had markers along the way, which helped. I was just trying to stay under
5min/km pace and take in the experience. The weather was beautiful, a slight
breeze but no rain (and no spray from traffic). When my legs felt heavy I
thought about RUNNING FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T! I thought about my reason for
participating in Wings for Life World Run, and about raising awareness for
Spinal Cord Injury… something that does not discriminate. Spinal Cord Injury
can happen to anyone. And we need help to find a cure.
My legs warmed up and my pace increased after about the 12km mark. The
last 5km I stayed under a 5min/km pace. I told myself I wanted to reach 25km.
About 24.5km someone started yelling, “The car is coming!” One guy in
particular was telling us to push until we reached 25km. I pushed up the hill
and could feel the car approaching. It’s an awesome feeling; trying to out run a
car! I finally reached the 25km sign! Within seconds, Tim Crosbie in the Wings
for Life World Run official car, caught me. My race was over.
I ran for 2
hours 6 minutes (5:03min/km pace).
Post race -
I was grateful
to walk after pushing hard to reach the 25km point. I mingled with runners
around me and we congratulated each other.
We walked towards the 26km marker (as instructed). It would have taken
too long to walk to the next aid station (plus we were tired). We stopped on
the side of the road at 26km. A few more runners joined us until there were about
fifty people in total.
We waited a long time for a
bus (there were medics on bikes that came to check on us). They were great. The bus drivers and volunteers were great too! There were no blankets or water on the bus or at the hub (there were some at the Masters carpark
where the bus stopped but I missed it). The experience was fun and friendly, the atmosphere back at the hub was much
improved. The weather was perfect for running (we were fortunate because the predicted forecast was 80% chance of
rain and wind). I enjoyed running down the Monash Fwy! And the Wings for Life
World Run reflective top was great to run in.
When I arrived
home, I checked results; 1st male – Barry Keem (65km) and 1st
female – Dominika Stelmach (55km). Most people I knew had achieved their goals
and were happy. Brad had suffered an injury and Rhianna struggled with
sickness. However, they enjoyed the run and experience. I was happy with my
distance and I enjoyed the experience. Most importantly, I was honoured to be
an ambassador and raise awareness for Spinal Cord Injury.
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
- There were
noticeable improvements on last year i.e. the atmosphere at the finish line was
much better. There was noise, people and buzz (even when I arrived back at 1am).
When I attended the ambassador lunch a few months
ago, Red Bull employees and event planners were asking for feedback. They
listened.
- The race kit,
Wings for Life World Run reflective top and headlamp were fantastic!
- The event hub
was organised, professional and upbeat. There were more marquees, volunteers,
entertainment and atmosphere.
- The
volunteers throughout the event were amazing!
A few days
after the event, I emailed my contacts at Red Bull and expressed my concerns
about bus delays, and lack of blankets and water (especially for the runners
who were on course for longer). I asked questions and offered suggestions. I
received an email back explaining some of the logistical issues and unforeseen
circumstances (which can be unavoidable in event management). Again, I was
impressed by the response. It was professional and open-minded. Wings for Life
World Run (Australia) is a young event and I have no doubt it will continue to
develop and improve.
Much like last
year, there were definitely more positives; the cause, the concept, the buzz,
the organisation, the race kit, the course, the weather, the atmosphere and the
Catcher Car! And the opportunity to be a Wings for Life World Run ambassador.
Of course, there will definitely be a next time!
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