The Six Foot Track Marathon - race report from a trail running noob - Part 1

I know nothing about trail running.

And that’s one of the reasons I entered in this particular marathon to understand what the hype is about. The other main reason was that I was looking for a time-filler between now and Berlin in September. 

Well, other miscellaneous reasons include:

•    It’s one of “those” bucket list things (like the NYC marathon…)
•     I (just) qualified so why not
•     I thought it will be cool to carry a waterpack on my back and go bush bashing
•     It’s “romantic” to be one with nature (smell the daisies, the fresh air, hear the leaves crunch      under your feet!!! Oh la la!!!)
•      Trail runners comes in cool colours and I want a pair

Dog's impressed with my new kicks!

The Six Foot Track Marathon is a somewhat different from the usual bush race – firstly, you have to qualify – primarily to ensure you have the base fitness to complete the race (they did say they were not being elitist on their website…). The standard is perfectly achievable – the most accessible would be a sub 4:20 marathon. There is also a plethora of other bush races that you can use to qualify with too. So it’s not overly difficult like UTMB or Western States 100.

But the notion that you have to ‘qualify’ made it more prestigious for some reason. Exclusivity much?

Secondly, it has a mandatory cut off time of 7 hours. This is because the track is still open to the public and being such a well-manned race, you really do not want the volunteers to be out in the sun for too long. And 7 hours is quite generous, given my earlier point that you have to qualify to enter.

Thirdly, it is a race that is manned by firefighters! That’s pretty cool stuff.  In return all proceeds will be donated to them for their service. Last year I think they raised around $55K. There’s been a change in the race fee structure this year so perhaps it means >$55K. I am a sucker for runs for a genuinely good cause.

Fourthly, because of (3), it is known to be an extremely well stocked trail race (most of the other ones you have to carry your own supplies…or have a support crew to help you out etc.) Every aid stations are stocked with fruit (watermelon, bananas, melon), lollies, Cola, GU (depends on the sponsor), as well as other electrolytes and of course water. There might be other food that I might have overlooked…

Finally, the registration: if you think TNF100 registration sold out quickly in 2 hours? This race sold out under 15 minutes this year.

So I am about to find out what the fuss is all about.

Somewhere in Berowra...