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| On the start line and still brimming with energy! |
It started at 9pm here in Melbourne as it happens at the same time in 34 locations across the globe. It had bucketed rain most of the day but miraculously stopped while we ran.
With global sponsors like Puma, Garmin and Red Bull, it's a fantastic marketing event as 100% of the $50 entry fee is donated to spinal cord research ('Run for those who can't') and it's a really novel event.
You're given a race kit including a head torch and a fluro T with a big arrow pointing right to remind participants to stick to the right as they run down the freeway. Because, as we discovered, there are trucks full of sheep and other cargo and cars whistling down the lanes on the left at about 100km per hour!!
Once you set off, there is no set distance, it's as far as you get before the Catcher Car catches you. Here's how that works:
It was fun, novel and a good cause. I made 11.6km (the car must scan you as it passes as you are wearing race bibs) and then walked to the 12km stop to await a bus. Although I met a couple of really lovely people, a light drizzle and breeze while standing on the side of a freeway at 11pm on a Sunday isn't much fun. We were issued space blankets and water on the bus when it eventually arrived.
The volunteer was radio-ing HQ:
Shall we drive on to 14ks or head straight back?
Head straight back!!! Yelled the passengers.
Drive on? Okay.
Only if we can take our photo with the 14k marker... I suggested. Didn't happen...
Maybe I just need to run a bit faster next year.
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