Matt Webster third at the Coastal Classic - 30km off-road running race

29/09/2010 8:42:23 PM

The race had an unusual start: due to the narrowness of the tracks, runners started two at a time every 5 seconds, and your final time would be the time recorded on your chip. I was still queuing for the toilet at the official race start time of 8am, but didn't really mind as I was planning on a conservative start.

So, after a last minute decision to ditch my Camel Bak and just carry a water bottle and some gels, I started the race about 7 minutes behind the front runners.

It started with a very steep climb, before crossing Lady Wakehurst Drive and descending through some coastal rainforest and continuing up the coast. The beginning was mostly single track, so overtaking was a bit tricky, and generally involved yelling out to the person in front and then waiting for a widening of the track. Although this slowed me, it actually helped be in the long run, as I have a bad habit of going out too fast. But it wasn't really helpful when I tried an overtaking maneuver only to be almost strangled by a low hanging vine.

The opening 9km to the first aid station were very enjoyable, rolling up and down, sometimes on cliff tops, sometimes closer to the ocean. I had to remind myself to look at the views, but not for too long lest a rock or root jump out and trip you up. There were still lots of people around me, and I was running well within myself.

The first aid station at Garie Beach marked the first long sand traverse. Although I live near the beach, I avoid sand running because it sucks. And these beaches didn't seem to have any good hard sand to run on. I was just a plain old hard slog, albeit in a beautiful location. Fortuantely, you can always see when the sand finishes. Unfortunately, you always have a headland to climb after you finish the sand run. And that would lead to spectacular views, although they were hard to appreciate as you had to concentrate on your footing.

The race continued northwards, with its mix of slow beach running and hill climbs, fast cliff top running (just don't run too close to the edge), and my favourite, slightly springy metal walking grates, where you could really pick up the pace. There were a few creek crossings and shacks on the track, and even a few fishermen to avoid on the beaches.

At each of the three aid stations, the helpful volunteers would fill up my water bottle whilst I grabbed a few jelly snakes and a couple of gels for on the course. The final aid station, at the 22km mark, would have been a great place to stop, as the day was starting the heat up and the beach was very tempting, but alas, there was a race to run. My legs felt heavier with each beach run, and even the tracks were sandier. I found it harder to concentrate and fell over twice within 20m. Fortunately, it was on sand, but I did get a few cuts and scratches (like most of the field).

Approaching Bundeena, we were diverted around a track called "Sandy Track" which goes for 2.3km, ending at another 500m long beach. Not the fast ending I that I had been told about. Finally the sand finished, but the final kilometre into town still felt pretty hard. The finish was in front of the local RSL club, but we must have been too fast for them, as the finish line aid station had not even been set up. The race organisers were expecting the winner to finish in about 3 hours, yet I came in under 2:40. I was hoping for a top 10, and was very surprised to discover I finished in 3rd. I guess there is something to say about a conservative start (and plenty of water and fuel).

Matt Webster
Third Overall
2:39:48

Matt Webster

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