Brendan Davies – Narrabeen All Nighter 12h
“When one runs 45, 50 or even 100km, for me, is not an ultra runner”
The Narrabeen Allnighter was meant to be a simple affair; but it turned out to be anything but. First some background.
This event was the race that started my ‘ultra running’ career. Back in 2009, I decided to try something different and run the 100km race that (back then) the event offered. I ran 8:07 and on the back of that was selected in the Australian 100km team for the first Commonwealth Ultra Distance Championships, even though the qualifier was sub 8h. The selectors had faith in me I guess. At the last World Champs I ran 6:55. I little grace can go a long way!
And so I headed back again this year; with one aim, to again run under 8 hours for the 100km and get myself qualified again. But this year was a bit different. They no longer offer the 100km as a race format, rather they just have the 12h race format, but as part of this race have sought the proper approvals and will measure to give a 100km split for qualification and record purposes. It’s a bit messy but basically what it meant to me was that I would run to 100km, get the time, and then ‘sit out’ the rest of the 12h race (AKA go home and sleep) but still be placed in that race wherever the 100km that I ran ranked me. No big deal. I was not there to compete, but to tick a box. Or so I thought, and now it’s left me wondering now what significance this has now had on my running future….Read the full article here!