BBR In the Raw race report, June 11th 2023

Race Report by Katie Savage.

Do you ever find yourself striding up a never-ending climb during a trail event thinking “perhaps I should have done more hill training” or formulating a seamless gym strength plan that will see you bounding up the hills with legs of steel by the next event? Or perhaps even questioning your own sanity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, congratulations you’re “normal”.

On June 11th, 11 Byron Bay Runners joined in with 200 or so other trail nuts for In the Raw (15/25k), and a throng of soon-to-be trail nuts competing in Flirt with Dirt (2/4/6/10 k) in the beautiful Numinbah Valley nestled behind the Gold Coast.

It was a beautiful misty morning start, everyone parked their cars in orderly rows and walked across the dewy grass to the race precinct to form orderly lines for bib collection and not-so-orderly lines for the toilets. 

And then it was Go Time!  And the orderly business ended…

If there’s one thing we can say about ol’ mate Steve at Trail Trips, he loves to put on a course with some brutal hills! The course description notes “some really challenging climbs” an “unrelenting” climb, “a tough climb” and “yet another tough climb” – so if anyone was stupid enough to read the course description prior to the race (who does that??) they knew they were in for some Matt Wood “undulating” hills.  The out and back course provided for some good high-fives to the high-flyers and team mates. There were plenty of creek crossings with options for rock-hopping to keep the tootsies dry (Andy, I’m looking at you!) and for one of our members, there was a choose-your-own-adventure option for when you’ve signed up for the 15, but really want to do the 25 (Leanne, I’m looking at you, and perhaps you’ll be looking at us in your fluoro beanie come awards night??)

So, how did we fare?  Had we put in enough hill training to tackle the Numinbah trails? Or were we run ragged with raw airways from gasping for oxygen while labouring up those climbs?  And did any of us question why we pay to torture ourselves on the weekend? For me, it was a firm no to question #1 and a heck yes to #2 and #3.

In the 25k, Sharon came back strong after reporting a not-so great run and a bung ankle at Brisbane Marathon the weekend before. She smashed it out of the park to reach 5th position in her category, really giving those climbs the Donoghue hill treatment (steady and tenacious).  Also in the 25k, Jacqui took off with the pack and maintained a great position to finish 2nd in her category.  Liam Mckenzie practically flew through the course finishing in second place overall. Andy, Dani, Marisa, Craig, Fiona and myself completed the 25k with big smiles for the finish line.

In the 15km, Susan was looking fresh at the finish to welcome in the 25k’ers, and Leanne came in after 22k out in the wilderness, still smiling, and with tales for the Fluoro Beanie Hall of Fame.

Finally, it would be remiss to report on a trail event without mention of food: there was water; a few handfuls of lollies; some dark, fizzy, sugary caffeinated stuff; some rehydrated powdery stuff; and a sauso sizzle and coffee cart at the end. There were also copious treats eaten in cars on the way home, as expected and deserved!

Full Results:

25km:

-        Liam McKenzie: 1:49:27 (2nd Overall)

-        Jackie Morrow: 2:56:29 (2nd Age Group)

-        Sharon Donoghue: 3:04:07 (5th Age Group)

-        Katie Savage: 3:08:17 (8th Age Group)

-        Andy Olson: 3:15:00 (15th Age Group)

-        Danielle Van Zuylen: 3:16:44 (2nd Age Group)

-        Craig Worling: 3:23:16 (12th Age Group)

-        Marissa Worling: 3:38:24 (7th Age Group)

-        Fiona Haddy: 3:46:43 (5th Age Group)

15km:

-        Susan Camilleri: 1:59:31 (4th Age Group)

-        Leanne Neville: 2:55:38 (15th Age Group)