Chris and Len have a history of endurance adventures including ultra marathons, adventure races and together in 2010, a kayak crossing of Bass Strait. They undertake these adventures to break out of their everyday synchrony, exceed their perceived limits and to feed their paleolithic, caveman instincts.

This adventure is inspired by the Westfield Sydney to Melbourne races held between 1983 and 1991, at the time, one of the toughest in the world. The idea to follow in these footsteps will however only be 3 weeks old when Chris and Len set-off. But an inspiring idea and two weeks of annual leave is an opportunity, by their own account, not to be lost.

Lastly, please consider these two thoughts: 1. the loss of biodiversity on Earth threatens life as we know it - it threatens supplies of fresh water, food, medicine, clothing, housing and the viability of oxygen-producing forests. 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew predict that one fifth of all plant species are at imminent risk of extinction. Chris and Len, both with science background are really hoping to make a positive impact on this situation. They seeking to use their love of adventure to raise a very modest $2,000 needed to save one of Australia’s rarest plant and one they will pass near on the Hume Highway, the Grevillea iaspicula. Please see sidebar to read more about the Royal Botanic Gardens ‘Save a Species’ initiative and help them :)

Sunday, 5 June 2011

First Team Training

Len and I had our first ‘team’ training run tonight.  Fittingly, we ran the start of our planned race course, starting from Sydney GPO at No. 1 Martin Place, then down George Street, Parramatta Road, Crystal Street and onto New Canterbury Road.  Our intention was to align our speed at our estimated 6km/hr ‘sustainable’ race pace.  Our plan to do this was to jog along as slowly as humanly possible – without exerting additional effort to go slower – and hoped to pass the 6km marker after an hour.  Fail – this only took 40mins and even with a stop to take a team photo for this website.  Perhaps it was the inspiring smell of the 30 kebab shops we passed on our way and my empty belly!  We continued at the same pace figuring we could crush a few kebabs with the time saving.


The slow pace meant we could double the time as a planning session – so here are some more details.  We will be leaving 5am from Sydney GPO on Sunday the 19th June.  It would be great to have company for the run out of Sydney.  Occasional-runners welcome – you will all be fine at our pace.  Len and I will have plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company, so the more variety on day 1, the better! 

The course is set: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/36034840/ - which avoids all freeways and motorways due to pedestrian restrictions.  Best guess is 9 days duration, pending kebab shop frequency.

A few things we are still looking for listed below – great if you can email us any leads:
  • A GPS spot tracker – and setting up live tracking
  • Contacts at any company that may be interested in sponsoring our fun
  • Support crew to throw us a few bones along the way
  • Best place to have a beer in Melbourne

A good week of training this week, some packing next weekend, eat and sleep the following week, then it’s GO time!

Live the dream!  :)
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