Kilcunda Half Marathon 2021

Kilcunda Half Marathon – 2021 

https://www.runningwild.net.au/coastal-runs/kilcunda-george-bass-coastal-trail-run.html

Kilcunda Half Marathon, George Bass 17 and 8 km Coastal Run

Victoria’s Bass Coast offers fantastic trail running for people wanting to experience coastal trail running at its best. Located only 90 minutes from Melbourne on the Bass Highway, Kilcunda offers access to Philip Island, Inverloch, Wonthaggi and a host of other destinations to explore after the run.

Date: February 2021

Start/Finish: Foreshore car park adjacent to the caravan park.

Registration: From 6:00 A.M. at the foreshore car park adjacent to the caravan park. Look for the Running Wild flags. At registration you will receive your race bib.

Start time: 7 A.M. for 17/21 km

Navigation: This is a marked course on an out and back track.

Equipment: All runners in all distances must carry as a minimum: 500 ml water bottle and Pressure snake bandage (rolled ankle/snake bite). Highly recommended to wear or carry: sunscreen, sun hat and mobile phone

Terrain: this is a flat to undulating course on a well-groomed grassy trail including beach running, rail trail, and single track.

Other users: Please show consideration to other users of the trails as well as other runners. In some places the trail is very narrow. Please give way to downhill runners.

Rubbish: Rubbish bags will be located at the start/finish and Punchbowl Rd. Please do not discard wrappers/gels on the track.

Snakes: are present in the area and are often seen on the track or on the side of the track. In most conditions they will move away from you. Please treat them with caution, wait for them to move away or go around them, alert other runners if you see a snake. Treat all snakes as poisonous.

Pre-race – 

There isn’t much to say about pre-race. I ran Two Bays 28km a few weeks prior, but I’d taken it easy. I ran with Brad and we’d enjoyed being on the trail again. I pulled up really well, better than expected. When I read about Kilcunda, it sounded like fun. I’d never been there before, and the gallery photos looked amazing. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity to travel, explore & run. 

 

Race day –

My alarm sounded at 4:40am. I rolled out of bed and snuck into the lounge room, so I didn’t wake anyone. As I dressed, I could hear the wind and rain outside. I’m not sure whether I was happy for the potential adventure or put off by the untamed elements. I guess it all depends on your perspective. I decided to be happy for the potential adventure! Life (and running) is all about adventures!

 

I drove an hour until I reached Kilcunda. It was still dark, so I pulled over and looked up where to park. It was easy to find once I spotted the Running Wild flags. After I collected my race bib, I went back to the car and organised my gear. I wore a Flipbelt to carry fuel, my phone and snack bandage. I stayed in the car, out of the wind, until the last possible minute. The start line was staggered into two parts – Bib numbers 0-100 and 100 plus. I was a late entry, so I was in the second group. While we waited for our turn, the rain started to fall more heavily, and we huddled together in an attempt to stay warm. 

 

Once I was running, the rain didn’t bother me. The first couple of kilometres were flat and easy, running away from the start line with the ocean view on our right. After about 2km the course double-backed (with the water on our left). We continued past the start line and along the beach side track. My first 8km were great (took about 42 minutes) and I felt good. I was in good spirits and although I’d entered the event saying I would cruise, endorphins took over and I admit I pushed pace a little. My heart rate always sits high but 170 is higher than usual (more than a training run)! After 8km, the undulations really started to kick in, and I began walking the hills. I fully expected to walk sections. I made the most of the walking parts and chatted to a couple of friendly faces (Annette and later, Bill… both fellow runners I know). I had a gel and drank my 32Gi electrolyte mix. I took in the view and made the most of the wind when it was behind me. I held onto my sunnies because I suspected if I left them on my head, the wind would steal them away.

 

From 8-18km, my pace dropped due to the rolling hills, sandy sections and exposed tree roots. It didn’t seem overly difficult, but it was enough to slow me down. I enjoyed it all though. My only negative thought (and it was minor) was my lack of fitness. I knew if I was fitter, I could’ve had a real crack at it! But I wasn’t disappointed in the event or my efforts. I crossed the finish line in 2 hours 9 mins (I think I was 17^th female). It would be great to have another go and finish under 2 hours. Once I finished, I waited for Annette and said congratulations. I then headed to the undercover area for some post-race snacks… two fruits in juice! Great idea! I took a few photos but quickly headed back to the car and began the drive home. If it was sunny, I would’ve stayed and had brunch. That might have to wait until next year.

Post race –

Once again, I recovered well, better than expected. This tells me that I need to keep working on cardiovascular fitness (post Covid-lockdown) and I should, in theory, continue to improve. I had a great time, and I’d highly recommend this event to other runners. It was easy to follow, well-marked, fantastic variety of post-run snacks and despite the weather, the coastline scenery was beautiful. I love running anywhere near water! It has a great variety of grass, boardwalks and sand, without being overly technical or difficult. It’s perfect for runners of all fitness and skill levels. Thank you to Running Wild event organisers and volunteers for a great event!

 

Two Bays 28km 2021

Two Bays 28km – 2021

http://www.twobaystrailrun.com/index.html

The website covers all possibilities and provides light humour for your reading entertainment! 

“Run 28km across Mornington Peninsula from Dromana to Cape Schanck. Two Bays Trail Run is on Sunday 17th January 2021 at 7am. The steep rise from sea level up to Arthurs Seat (elevation 1,000ft) provides breathtaking views across the bay to Melbourne. The trail is well marked by a blue wren bird symbol on all signs. The middle of the track passes through mostly undulating national park and forest.”

From Dromana information centre go along Point Nepean Hwy (bay on your right), turn left onto Latrobe Pde and continue up hill and across the bridge over the freeway, turn left onto Bunurong Track. Climb to the top of Arthurs Seat, follow the sign towards Seawinds, except the last sign which reads Seawinds 0.3km. At this sign you should go right and follow the signs to McLarens Dam. At the end of this section, turn right at Waterfall Gully Rd and left at Goolgowie Rd. Turn left at Avalon Dr then sharp right 10m in. Run through the reserve on the boards past the playground and out onto Yambil Ave where you turn right. At the roundabout turn left along Duells Rd until Gardens Rd and go right (wipe your feet on the mats provided). Cross over Browns Rd, into Hyslops Rd on the other side. Hyslops Rd stretches out to a track straight ahead. Follow the sign to Greens Bush and in about 50m look for the blue wren. Make sure you’re following the signs to Boneo Rd or Cape Schanck. When you get to Boneo Rd watch for traffic (5.4km to the Cape). Continue towards Bushrangers Bay and follow the track to the Cape (small sections are sandy). Eventually you’ll rise up a small undulation and see the lighthouse. The finish is the Bus Lane at Cape Schanck.

 

Pre-race – 

2014, I ran Two Bays 28km (2hrs 32min)

2015, I entered 56km but had to DNS 3 days before 

2016, I volunteered at Boneo Rd (best vollie station ever)

2017, I ran Two Bays 56km (6hrs 14min)

*Then (2018) I had a trauma injury from my dog, (2019) I ran Hobart marathon, (2020) I had a hysterectomy and that leads to… NOW!

 

Race day –

Brad and I made the decision to enter the 28km after a year of Covid-19/Lockdown syndrome (not an actual syndrome but I’m sure most Melburnians can relate). We both secured a qualifier and entry into the original direction – Dromana to Cape Schanck. We arrived in plenty of time for a visit to the loo and said hello to friends like Chris O’Brien!

The start line was staggered to adhere to Covid-19 restrictions however Brad and I were in different groups. I decided to start back with Brad in group 7. The start line ran smoothly, and Rohan (RD) checked all runners were standing on their designated cross. I was surprised how perfect everything seemed. I thought it might be a little more chaotic, but it was flawless (from a participant’s viewpoint).

 

I managed to run (OK… shuffle) up Latrobe Parade onto the official start of the Two Bays trail. Brad and I walked the steps to the top of Arthurs Seat. The view from the top never gets old. If you’ve never been there, do yourself a favour (as Molly would say)… check it out! Both Brad and I know the track quite well, so we knew when to run and when to walk. We continued moving at a relatively good pace along the single-track section, carefully navigating exposed tree roots, stairs, occasional boardwalks and fellow runners. We arrived at the opening at the top of the damn hill (see what I did there?) feeling fresh and happy (Brad might disagree). 

This is usually where local kangaroos congregate but they were in-hiding. As well as plant life, there is an abundance of animals like kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, lizards, snakes and birds (all of which I have seen on training runs). Having a close encounter with wildlife is part of the Two Bays experience. On race day, there is more noise and action. A combination of factors resulted in no wildlife sightings this time.

As we began our descent, we chatted to another runner about the logistics of going downhill. Brad often tells me to slow down and use the decline as an opportunity to recover, but I love leaning into the hill and letting gravity gently push me along. I mucked around by putting my arms straight out like a plane and zigzagged effortlessly (like skiing down a snow mountain). A photographer was situated about half way down and captured our comical attempt at a jump shot! 

Once at the bottom, we continued past the dam and overtook a few more runners. By the time we reached Waterfall Gully Rd, we were amongst runners at a similar pace. The next section (on road) provided us with a little boost of encouragement. The locals were sitting or standing on their front lawns cheering and clapping. They were so lovely! Two Bays always has an amazing community-feel. The runners, the supporters, the race organisers and the volunteers are the BEST! Maybe I’d forgotten or perhaps I wasn’t expecting it due to Covid-19 turning so many people into hermit crabs, but it was so heart-warming to see and hear the residents of Goolgowie Rd. Thank you!

After our moment of glory, we quickly returned to bushland, running along boardwalks and brushing past green leafy fernery. We ran Yambill Avenue to the roundabout and started walking up the dirt road towards the next aid station. Both Brad and I had our first gel and some electrolytes. The next part of the track requires runners to wipe their feet… “Some of the native plants of Greens Bush are dying because microscopic fungus, Cinnamon Fungus or Phytophthora cinnamon. People can unwittingly transmit the fungus by going through infected areas and picking up spores on their shoes…”

 

At this stage, we had been running for about an hour and my recollection of events is a little hazy (plus I’m writing this three weeks later). I remember Brad starting to get tired somewhere between 8-11km. There were some small but sharp hills, and Brad had been battling some injuries for a few months prior. He told me to run ahead without him, but I was happy to stay together and make the most of the scenery and experience. A week prior, we’d entered Portsea Twilight (another local favourite) but I hadn’t been well enough to run it. As much as my heart craved the trails, my head knew the smart choice was to wait a week. So, I was determined to have enough fun for the two of us! The most logical thing to do was… start taking photos!

*Note: when we reached Browns Rd aid station, I encountered the best volunteers I’ve ever met (Jennie, Alex and Katrina)! You guys were the bomb! Thanks for the trail love 

Once we crossed Browns Rd, we hit Hyslops Rd. It’s 2km long and 60m elevation (not much but consistent enough). We ran and walked until we reached Limestone Rd aid station. The next section was short, slightly downhill and sandy, but easy to run. We went through a chicane and continued along a dirt road to Greens Bush. Some people say how much they like Greens Bush. It is green and pretty, and there are boardwalks, stairs, grass, sand, turns and flat sections. It has variety and I can see the appeal. But I find it tough because it seems to last forever. In 2017 (I ran Two Bays 56km) and I didn’t like Greens Bush. However, this time I didn’t mind the endless, mind-numbing trail! Maybe it’s because I was too busy taking photos! We also spent time chatting to a couple of runners who asked if we’d run Two Bays before. We reassured them that the hardest part was over (only those pesky stairs left). Shhhhhh! 

Boneo Road aid station signified the home stretch and 5km to go. It was slow and sandy. Those dreaded stairs appeared, and the female counterpart of our new running besties said she didn’t think we could be friends anymore. We laughed exhaustedly as we marched onwards. Soon after, I heard the sweet sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the smell of salt air indicating the finish line. The view of Bushrangers Bay is pretty epic! It always makes me smile. You have to see it to understand the feeling. With less than a kilometre to go, Brad’s legs started cramping but he pushed through until the end. We did it!

 

Post race –

We crossed the line and Brad rested in a nearby chair. I grabbed us a drink and an apple to assist with our recovery. We chatted to a few other runners before jumping on a bus back to the start line at Dromana Information Centre. Our results: Two Bays 28km in 3hrs 10min (according to Strava).

Race feedback – 

I’m writing this report, three weeks after the event and I’m still full of love; for my Two Bays friends and family. And thank you hubby, for running my first event post Covid-19/Lockdown! Love it love it love it!