Drew Beswick, 2nd Place BTU100Mi 2022, 1st EVER 100Mi! Race Report

After being shocked awake by my alarm at 2:30 am I jumped into action and shovelled down what food I could, triple-checked drop bags and gear and headed off for the 3:30 am bus pick up at Kangaroo Point.  When I arrived several friendly runners were there, we chatted and each was doing the 100-mile race.  None of us had ever competed in a miler and there was an exciting nervous anticipation threaded through our chats.

The bus driver was intent on telling the whole busload of us how nuts were all were for wanting to run so far and wished us well as we made our way down to the weigh-in and start line.  As was the theme for the day, the volunteers and officials were so friendly, helpful and encouraging the vibe was amazing.  We huddled around the heaters until the last moment, ripped off jackets and walked to the start.  The lights, loudspeakers and shouts from supporters were very exciting, and soon enough we were off.  I tried to say within the front 20 not knowing what was coming up and not wanting to get stuck behind too many people that I may have to pass along the single trail ahead.  

Unsure how many people were ahead of me, I pushed probably a bit harder than I had planned for the first few kilometres until I had some clear space and then tried to find a rhythm on the varied surfaces.  Soon enough, I hit some decent fire trail and could see the lights of some runners up ahead.  Within 15 minutes, I had caught up to two men running together and talking.  They seemed to be making good pace, fast downhills and then walking the steep ups we found.  Pretty soon we moved together chatting as the sun started to come up through the trees.  The sunrise was amazing with the red and yellow glow of the sun becoming more visible as we ascended one of the smaller hills and found ourselves looking out over the bush out towards the coast with the sun now fully exposed and providing the first warmth we’d felt all day.

Soon enough I felt that the pace was a bit slower than I liked to move and started to pull ahead, tried to get some food down and then kept my own pace, doing the early math in my head about how far to the first aid station.  About 5 km out from the first aid station, I found another runner who was moving well, using poles to lightly touch the ground up the inclines and keeping a good rhythm.  We chatted briefly as I passed and moved on only to be caught up again within a few klms and left behind.  I lost sight of him and continued on and ascended a slight hill before coming through the first aid station.  I decided not to stop as I’d managed to eat already and had plenty of water.  Pushing on it was not long until I came across the same runner who was not moving as well and was walking, I checked if he was ok and if he needed anything and continued on.  I was starting to feel warm and optimistic about what the day would bring.

Coming up a small hill I encountered two volunteers who were larger than life, full of enthusiasm cheering me on.  I stopped, and they filled my bottles for me and told me that a runner called Vlad was just ahead and that I was in second place.  On my way again and the trail started to get nicer, the sun was out, and I was feeling good.  I came on to some single track that led out towards mount Nebo, it was a beautiful track, windy, with nice stable surfaces and amazing trees and plants, much different than back in Tasmania.  

At many of the major intersections, the most amazing volunteers and supporters were in place cheering and singling out encouragements, it was terrific and certainly always gives you a lift.  As I descended off of Mt Nebo I started to feel a bit average, I think I’d eaten a bit too much and had some stomach discomfort.  I was still running ok, but it was not pleasant.  I kept on pushing, hoping to find some coke or something at checkpoint two.  The track from Nebo to checkpoint two was some of the best we had all day, really fun single trail that really keep the mind engaged.  A final ascent and some winding single track and I was at checkpoint 3.  Two blokes asked if I had any support crew and I told them no, and they raced over and told me that they would be my support crew, filled up my bottles, gave me some ginger beer soft drink and some food and then encouraged me on.   Was just the lift I needed and again I was off.  

The following section through to Dundas bush camp was varied with some lovely long easy hills that were very runnable, through to the virtual cliff of a climb that led to Dundas bush camp.  It was here things started to get real.  There were plenty of short sharp climbs before Dundas checkpoint, but the hill, Side Break, on the way up to the checkpoint was something else.  It was so steep that if you stopped you almost had to ready yourself to prevent from falling backwards - it looked like a wall of red and orange gravel and I couldn’t see the top. At this stage, I was feeling every metre of the ascents too.  It had been a long time since I’d seen another runner, and the realisation of how much more was still to come sank in -another 80 km….  I’d been able to eat well throughout the run so far, and I scoffed down some more food and filled my pack.  

Again the volunteers were amazing; one of them even found me a coke which I drained in seconds and with a few gentle words of encouragement, I was off again.  The following 20-30 klms were very lonely, I didn’t see another runner, and there were few stops along the way.  Several steep climbs more and then a hectic descent called Township Break in the dark that was so steep it had a rope to use to get down safely! I kept pushing through but found myself relatively light-headed and fatigued. Mentally this was starting to get tough,  to keep running when my body wanted to stop or at least walk took a lot of mental energy.  

Even though it was dark, I could eventually make out that I was nearing Corra-Mulling Park again and knew that I could refuel with a soft rink and whatever else I could force down at that point before setting out for the last 40 km to the finish.  I stopped to have a wee in the bush before coming to the urban area around Corra-Mulling park, and after looking down and then looking back up again to start running, I realised I was a little delirious and spaced out.  It was definitely time to ensure I was eating and drinking even if I didn’t feel like it.

Coming out of Corra Mulling park it was interesting to come back out along the track that we started on. It felt good, I had a sense that I was now close to the end and had plenty of time to finish under my goal time which was sub 24 hours.  From here on, the course was semi-urban but still had enough hills to keep the challenge, I was at this stage doing a lot of maths in my head, working out how much more climbing there was and how long it might take until I was at the finish.  This was the furthest I had ever raced on foot, and I could feel it.  I had no expectation to place at the race but the idea that I was still coming second certainly helped me keep pushing on.  Eventually, I came to the final checkpoint where I was startled by someone calling my name. It was my friend and trail running mate from Tasmania Piotr who had got permission to pace me from the last aid station.  He had everything ready to go and urged me through the checkpoint telling me that I was close to the leader and we should try and make up some time.  Pushing any harder was the last thing on my mind at this stage…..

Piotr gave me some liquid nutrition, and we set off running, the company certainly made a difference and have ran many times with Piotr since we settled into the ultra shuffle.  The red bull climb was next, and I ran what I could, but walked some of it and then descended carefully through the rocky trails, It was exciting knowing that we were getting closer but still daunting knowing that there was still another 15-odd km to go.  We made it through to Milton where we found a surprise 42 for 42 aid station dishing out Miso soup.  Just prior to finding this aid station I was really struggling, I was finding it difficult to get my head right and have it be able to command my body to run.  The traffic lights and stops seemed to be encouraging me to walk, and I was aching all over.     

 As we finally made it to the riverside we were in familiar territory, I had run this path many times on work trips to Brisbane.  I managed to pick up the pace and ran the last 6 km at a reasonable jog, worrying about the Kangaroo Point steps yet to come.  As we crossed over the river and headed to Kangaroo point, a sense of elation started to set in, I couldn’t quite believe we were almost at the end.  A few people were still out cheering, which was a massive boost, before heading up the stairs.  Try as I might, the best I could muster up the steep stairs was a shuffle, grabbing every handrail in sight.  As I got to the top, I could see the finish chute, only to discover that you have to run PAST the chute up more stairs and then come back down to the finish.  The finishing was incredible; such a massive sense of relief.  My first-ever miler is complete, and now for the recovery!

 Thanks, Shona and Cora, for putting on such a fantastic event.  Definitely be back next year to try and again.