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ALPINE CHALLENGE 2022-23
Locals Do Well
Aclear and starry night allowed for a fresh 4am start on Saturday the 22nd of April for Australia’s toughest ultra-marathon – The Alpine Challenge.
A wet summer meant for wet feet and the five river crossings varied from shin deep to above the waist! The course was changed this year due to the BHP road closure and interference of normal logistic support. For the 160km course athletes this meant completing running from Falls Creek to Warby Corner via Spion Kopje and then completing the loop to Roper Hut, Cleve Cole Hut to Mt Bogong Summit, down Quartz Ridge and back up Timms Spur to Warby Corner – TWICE. And that’s only half way.
For the many who take two days to complete the course the weather was stunning with mild running conditions of 15 degrees during the day through to a tolerable 3 degrees through the night.
Ex- local and long time XC national ski member Nick Montgomery took out line honours in the 160km in an impressive time of 22hrs 19mins 16secs.
In the 100km event – NSW teenager Bridie Temple showed the field how to really run –literally running the full 100kms including the steep ascent of Mount McKay at the 95km mark to win overall in a time of 13hrs 9mins 30secs.
Five shorter distance courses were also well represented with a handful of locals from Falls Creek and Mount Beauty completing the 60km course. Showing that having the Alpine National Park and surrounding hills in your backyard as a training ground is just about perfect.
Congratulations to locals: Liz Ingram – 1st Female, Nichole Mckilliam – 2nd Female,
A huge thankyou to Running Wild who, through thick and thin, always put on an amazing event. Supported by Alpine Search and Rescue, thank-you to the volunteers, who for thereabouts 48hrs coordinate the aid stations, communications and evacuations of DNF’s.
The next Alpine Challenge reverts back to the 25th of November.
Until then remember: You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running. Thanks to Sheepy for this wrap of the event and for his dedication to local activities. Thanks also to Paul Ashton for continuing to stage the event through several years of ‘Trials and Tribulations’ causing changes of date –and all of the drama this creates.
All being well, the next event, the 2023 event, will be held over the weekend of Saturday 25th November to Monday 27th November 2023. Ed •
Our intimate personal dinners for small group are proving to be a favourite with regulars and visitors.
Please feel free to contact us and discuss your requirements and timing.
Regards, Roi and Sue.
