Trip Photos

Max	Steve	Max and Stu
Winner Jeff strolls over the line	Antony: first 'walker' home	Flo: first woman home

Trip Report

Another year, another Round the Mountain ... and it just gets better and better. As last year, people entered as either runners or trampers. Jeff put in a corusculating time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, 40 seconds to claim the winner’s T shirt. Apparently he had a reasonable lead on Max at the top of Stavely Hill, but Max’s renowned downhill speed had cut that back to about 6 minutes by the time they reached the finish point. Last year’s winner Stu had nothing left to prove and let Jeff and Max tussle it out – when he passed us he looked like he was just cruising (cruising a lot faster than we were of course, with much less visible effort). Jonathan did the entire circuit powered on lollies, Flo was – as usual – the fastest woman. Clive had a bit of trouble with cramp but looked comfortable enough when he too passed us (being a tramper gives you a great view of the runners ...). Antony clearly got his category a bit confused (he entered as a tramper) but at least his claim that he does not run is now thoroughly exploded. Stephen and Kees also put in very impressive times. Naomi could have given Flo a run for her money had there not been a touch of topological confusion around the Bus-stop area. For a full listing of results, see here.

Rodney was clearly determined to improve on last year, and did the whole thing this year in full tramping regalia, complete with his usual super-size me pack. Ken is our standard issue knight in shining armour for the event – this time he managed to rescue Naomi from the first of the topological confusions and still put in a very respectable time.

Once everyone had finished we all gathered around the shelter and carpark for Malcolm’s reviving raro drink, ice cream, tea from Max’s wonderful tea billy, and the various delicious picnic bits and pieces that people had brought along. The official tail-end-charlie sweepers (responsible for making sure nobody has fallen by the wayside on the track) for the Woolshed to Sharplin Falls section were Ruth and Kerrie – they got caught in the rain which came in later in the afternoon but were as cheerful and enthusiastic as always when they arrived. Susan and Bernhard had swept from Sharplin around to Woolshed via Pinnacles and walked out to the Woolshed car park from there together with Allan Growcott who had bravely started the day with a bit of dodgy knee and managed to do something even worse to it part way round. The event T shirts , works of art by Susan Pearson, were distributed to category winners and spot prize winner – you too could get one if you participate next year!

Plenty of people came out to offer general support, which was much appreciated. It was great to see friendly encouraging faces as we scampered rather tiredly down Stavely Hill. Lisa Harrison also took some lovely photos on that section. The official event photographer Scott was waiting at the bottom to capture the moment as each runner or tramper skidded to a halt to have their time recorded by Warwick – Warwick and volunteer Kathy did a wonderful job at the Sharplin Falls base for the day, keeping everyone organised and coordinated, timing and general administration.

Thanks again to Paul White and the other wonderful Mountain Radio people, Lew Shaw (Warden at the Mt Somers hut) whose help was invaluable, and to everyone else who helped out. The whole event was orchestrated and organised by Susan Pearson and a wonderful time was had by all.

And of course, thanks to the runners and trampers, without whom the event would have lost just a little of its pizzaz:

(runners) Stu Smith, Flo Roberts, Jeff Hall, Max De Lacey, Steve Bruerton, Clive Marsh, Jonathan Carr, Naomi Wells.

(entered as trampers but must have had both feet off the ground at the same time most of the way): Antony White, Stephen Hoare-Vance, Kees De Jager, Linda Lilburne.

(trampers): Andrew Tromans, Rodney Erkison, Ken Brown, Emma Bosworth, Jessica Thorn, Allan Growcott, Cathy Harlow, Jenny Harlow.

-- Uploaded by Jenny Harlow on 23 February, 2010