THE ORGANISERS of the Hat Head Trig Marathon this morning must have been kissed on the derrière by an angel because the weather provided a rare perfect window for this most arduous of fun runs.
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When the juniors set sail just after 9 o’clock the temperature at 22 degrees was ideal for running. The seniors too got underway in the second race in goldilocks conditions, while presentations concluded just nano seconds before a foul storm front introduced.
While the Trig run is mathematically far shorter than an actual marathon – the course is a beast.
From the idyllic tourist park grounds, athletes make their way across a creek before trying to find their way through dense bush up and down a minor mountain. From there it’s back across the creek where many calfs trembled under the transition from running to wading and paddling – and finally, the finish back where it all started.
Superior fitness was one determinant – and it appears, local knowledge was also a strong suit to bring to an event where there is no clear path up and back the big hill.
In the first race – open to those 16 years and under – Melville High School’s Josh Hughes was first home in 16:49. It was a popular win for the 16-year-old Kempsey flash who was cheered hard by a crowd of a couple of hundred.
“I’ve done this run five or six times and had a few seconds and thirds but this is my first win,” Josh told the Argus.
“It was pretty hard as the bush is real thick.”
There were 35 boys in the junior race and 34 girls, and the first female across the line in 17:40 was Charlie Norton, also from Kempsey.
“It was the second time I’ve done the race – I came third last year,” Charlie said.
“You had to have lots of balance because it was slippery after the rain yesterday. And I just had to pace myself,” said the 11-year-old who will link with Hunter Sports High School in 2018.
The organisers of the Trig, the board of directors of Hat Head Bowling Club, were delighted by the turnout, reporting that numbers were well up on the 2016 version.
In the open race, the first man home was Samuel Williams (14:34), from Hat Head, while Drew Younger (17:14) was the fastest woman.
“I’ve done this a few times before but never won. I did have a few practise runs,” Samuel told the Argus.
“Mate, I’m buggered now. It’s hard up the top but you’ve just got to crack on.”
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