Parking at the flat campground at the top of the hill, we carried our gear down the hill for a bit over a km to an extremely scenic assembly area. The distant views were delightful, but the numerous high hills and deep gullies worried us all. There was going to be plenty of climb on these courses. It was a much chillier day today and we were keen to get out there and keep warm, but there was business to be completed first.
The kids were out first, and we were just in time for the mass start, with the first runners for the 30 or so teams all starting at the same time. (All Aussie states, plus NZ) The kids were all dressed up in their warpaint. SA were resplendant with crows socks, red, yellow and blue hair, and the junior boys even had coloured streamers on their backs! Then we waited , and slowly we started to spot the runners appearing on the distant slope, and then making their way up the cruelly steep track to the spectator control.
As we all screamed at our favourites to urge them on, they had to just keep on running past the crowd and out into yet more hills and gullies on the last loop before they reappeared to the cheers of their supporters, and the team mates who were waiting to be tagged and to take their turn in the forest.
After our disappointing series of mis punches yesterday, the SA kids were under strict instructions to dib as well as float above the SI units-and we didn't have any mispunches.
The selection of relay teams can be a tricky thing, and Meredith Norman was an unlucky one today, left out due to recent poorer results, and included in a composite team running against her SA team mates. With plenty to prove she ripped around her course in 36.35, leaving all of our senior girls runners in the official SA team behind her. Her team came 5th.
The official senior girls team came 7th (6th Aussie team) .
Waiting to run in behind Alyce
Junior boys had 2 teams. The first and official SA team were beaten by the 2nd team, with Toby also running a great time, and Ethan showing, once again that he can hold his own, with yet another great time.
Junior girls ended up 4th Aussies and 6th overall, with Joanna, once again, the fastest of them.
Our senior boys were the only ones to make the podium, with 2nd Aussie team (3rd overall) , despite Angus having a dodgy hamstring.
Once the excitement of the relays was over, we had our own runs on the hilly terrain. Trev was 11th out of 40 and I was 7th of 42 runners.
Then we walked back up the hill again to the parking and enjoyed a well earned up of tea.
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| Cheeky photographer in the crowd |
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| Kids doing what kids do. |
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| Trev's map |
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| Erica's map |
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