Wangaratta Marathon – February 26th 2017
The Wangaratta Marathon and Fun Runs is bought to you by Justin
and Sharon Scholz of Wangaratta Fitness Fun Addicts. The event motto says it
all - "More people moving more often". Entry prices for this event
are much less than their counterparts and we take pride in that. We aren’t
looking for big profits, but we are unashamedly looking to draw people to
Wangaratta to enjoy the beautiful path networks and environmental surrounds of
our thriving rural city. We secretly hope that we can encourage people to
engage more in physical happiness and become more active than they were before
joining our event.
General information
Event start times, presentation times, course descriptions, course
maps, elevations profiles, photo and video are available on each specific
“Event” pages above.
COURSE
ACCURACY
All courses have been measured using the AIMS / IAAF process but are
uncertified.
COURSE
TIMING
A timing chip will be attached to entrant race bibs. All tags will
become active when each event starts and will be ‘read” by a decoder as
entrants cross a start mat and later, a finish mat. The start line and the
finish line is in the same place for all events. Results will be compiled from
“gun” times only.
AID
STATIONS
Aid stations will be set-up on course at regular intervals. Refer to
the individual event pages for location details. There will be a minimum of one
aid station for 2km and 5km entrants and a minimum of two aid stations for 10km
entrants. These aid stations will include energy sports drink and water (water
only for 2km event). Additional Marathon and Half Marathon aid stations will be
established at distances between 2.0 and 3.0km apart (max is 3.2km). These aid
stations will include energy sports drink, water and lollies (ie snakes or
jelly beans or similar).
POST
EVENT
Refreshments will be provided to all entrants post race. These will
include jam sandwiches, fruit, water and cordial. Event bib must be worn to
access the refreshments area. Other food and drinks will also be available for
purchase for non-entrants or entrants who prefer something different. There
will also be a coffee van (fee), icecream van (fee) and canteen (fee).
Course
description
~ Start at the rear of Norm Minns / Showground complex near the Magpies
Football Clubrooms / Kennel and Obedience Dog Club.
~ Run out through the rear gates of the complex, across a 100m grass
section and turn left onto the bitumen cycle path.
~ Follow the path North along the river until it terminates at College
Street.
~ Cross College Street and Park Lane and continue on the cycling path on
the north side of College Street until then turning right at Phillipson Street.
~ Stay on the right hand side of Phillipson Street, continue to the end
of the road and turn left into Cambridge Drive.
~ Stay on the right side of Cambridge Drive and continue until turning
right into Riverside Estate.
~ At the end of Riverside, turn left onto the sealed fitness path and
follow as marked to Edwards Street / Yarrawonga Road.
~ Turn right on the sealed path and run to and across the road bridge
near the golf course.
~ Continue along the path beside the golf club until directed to turn
around.
~ Run back to the bridge, but rather than cross it, take the left fork
and head down and under the bridge and onto the One Mile Creek path.
~ Follow the One Mile Creek path over a footbridge and past the back of
Appin Park Primary School, turning left at the path intersection at that point.
~ Continue along and under the Phillipson Street, Rowan Street and Swan
Street bridges.
~ Cross the footbridge and continue along the cycling path under the Roy
Street, Railway and Tone Road bridges to arrive at Batchelors Green and public
toilets.
~ Follow the path to the designated turn point just past Batchelors Green.
~ Return the same way, but after going past the Appin Park School, turn
left onto the Collyndale Wetlands path for a lovely out and back.
~ When you return from that section, turn left and continue all the way
back along the course to the Showgrounds (noting that after you come up from
the Yarrawonga Rd bridge you do NOT do the golf club part again, but turn and
immediately cross the bridge.
~ When you reach the Showgrounds, do NOT turn right onto the grass at
the back of the complex, but continue along the river.
~ When you reach Evans Street, turn immediately to your right and head
into the showground complex.
~ Follow the internal roadway, then run back over the start line and
complete a second lap.
~ When entering the Showgrounds at the end of the second lap, deviate
onto the grass when indicated and run into across the grass and over the finish
line.
Pre-race –
After I recovered from Two Bays, I decided to aim for a fast and flat marathon. My right hip (which had given me grief on the hills) hadn’t been
bothering me. My left hip was still significantly weaker but I had managed to
reconnect with the gym and work on glute strength etc. Only minor issues were left achilles (tight from some speed sessions) and hormones (bad PMS). Generally, I went into Wangaratta marathon feeling pretty good. My A-goal was
sub 3:45 and my B-goal was to beat my Run for the Young time of 3:50.
The race started early and
the weather forecast was 26 degrees. I chose to run in shorts, RMA singlet (I
joined the RMA team), calf compressions and Brooks Glycerin. I packed my ipod,
gels and a packet of salt and vinegar chips! I have learnt from experience that
anything over three hours and all I want is CHIPS! I can only stomach three
gels at most. I also decided not to run with a water belt but carry a small
kid-size bottle of water in my flip belt. I can’t drink from cups at aid
stations (I choke on water… one of my many talents), so drinking from a nozzle
is much easier! I wasn’t sure it would work and I knew I would lose time
through drink stations if I stopped or walked but… this was a small, fun
marathon (and I’m no-elite athlete). The day before the race I drove to Wangaratta and stayed with my friends Serena (and a few others). Serena and I have enjoyed many running weekends away (we both know how to celebrate after the race).
Race day –
We woke early and I consumed a small bowl of porridge and cup
of tea. It was
still dark and the temperature was cool but not freezing. When we arrived at the race hub, I met another runner who happened to be from the
Mornington Peninsula too. I also bumped into another local, Keren. We chatted
and I stretched (a little). Before too long, Justin Scholz (RD) instructed
marathon runners to the start line. There were approximately 130 runners in the
42km event (just over 30 females). I love small events. I know I say it all the
time, but there is simply less hype.
Justin counted down and within
seconds we were running. I cruised the first-kilometre in just over 5min and
everything was perfect. I tend to start slower (my achilles takes time to warm
up), but after a few minutes I could settle into a more natural pace. My next
split was 4:37min (too fast) so I put the breaks on and maintained a 5min/km
pace. To finish with 3:45, I had to maintain a 5:20 pace. I predicted I would
slow down in the second-half (simply because I wasn’t used to running a
marathon without stopping) so I was prepared to go out a fraction faster in the
first-half. Guestimates were somewhere between 5-5:10 pace.
I stuck to my game plan and hit
the 10km mark in 50min. I also decided to turn my iPod on at this stage (for
some distraction). Continuing with a steady 5min/km pace, I reached 21km in
1:46. I took one gel at 60min (12km) and a second gel at two-hours (24km). I
stopped a couple of times at aid stations for water or cordial.
I really enjoyed the course. The
way it works means you end up running along the same path four-times (out and
back twice). Some runners may not like that but I loved it… seeing fellow
runners, words of encouragement flying both ways, acknowledging RMAs and
high-fives. It was great to see Serena running strong in front of me. The path was
easy, flat (with a few tiny down and ups under roads), some greenery and fresh
country air. The volunteers were friendly and the course was flawlessly marked
(not even I could get lost)!
About 26km, I suddenly felt tired.
My pace decreased a bit (as predicted) but I still hovered around 5:20-5:25
pace. I roughly calculated I had been sitting on 5:10 pace or quicker therefore a
few kilometres over 5:20 would even out. I wasn’t worried. Around 32km, I
noticed the typical handful of runners beginning to walk. I believe it has
something to do with training (or lack thereof). Often people only train to
32km so it makes sense they might fade on race day. On the flipside, I found my
second-wind and ran a little quicker (5:09 pace). It only lasted a couple of
kilometres, and then dropped back to 5:25-5:30 pace from 35km onwards. I
reached 35km as the clocked ticked over three-hours… This seems to be a turning
point for me. My stomach stops tolerating sugar, gels and sports drinks,
everything repeats, my left hip switches off and I slow down. Systemically I
was OK, but my left leg was tired (I had a hint of ITB pain) so I deliberately
shortened my stride and took the pressure off. I decided to skip the last gel
and instead I opened my salt and vinegar chips. Again, running while opening a
chip packet and drinking water, takes time. I probably only lost 10 seconds but
it adds up. I was happy I continued running though. The last flat-ish marathon
I did was Run for the Young and I walked a stint at 30km. I definitely felt
stronger this time. I didn’t have a particular mantra because I didn’t need it.
However, I did remind myself to “Run my own race.” For the first 5km, I was third female and then someone
overtook me. I sat in fourth place for ages and somewhere around 24-28km, a
fellow RMA (Sarah) passed me (photo above looks like we're having a leisurely chat). I was in fifth place. Somewhere between 32-35km,
I overtook someone (back in fourth place). I happily crossed the finish line in
4th but secretly hoped someone was under 40 years (so I could snag
an age-category place)!
The last part of the race dragged
on… I ran along the path near the start/finish area, around the wire fence,
dodged little kids and parents running the 2km event, and finally through the
finishing shute. My time was 3:38:57! I was super happy and relatively
comfortable (well… as comfortable as you
can be after running 42km)! And I made it on the age-group podium with my friend Serena!
Lessons -
1. An expensive bottle of wine is
good incentive for me!
2. I chaffed badly on the top of
my feet – calf compressions make my socks slip and my laces (where the knot is)
causes blisters on the top of my feet. Must get those snazzy lacing-systems for
my shoes!
3. The next day (and a few days
afterwards) my left calf was cactus! The whole left side of my body was tight.
Need to work on fascia release!
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
The event was flawless; fast,
flat course with country scenery, helpful vollies, lots of aid stations (they
need chips though), perfectly marked, encouragement and support from fellow
runners, less fuss and more fun, superb weather, and unique trophies and
medals!
*This is the last time I’m
scoring an event because I seem to rank most runs 9/10! In saying that, I score
Wangaratta marathon a 9/10 and I would run it again!
Many thanks for a great event!
