This weekend sees another full dance card of running with the Blackall 100 taking place up in Queensland and the Ned Kelly Chase in the cooler climes of Victoria.
Today we focus on the Ned Kelly Chase 100km, which hosts a rather unique format. Runners nominate a proposed finish / goal time and they set off at a time according to their goal, with the theory being that everyone finishes pretty much around 12 noon the following day.
So for example, if you nominate a 12 hour finish time, then you’ll start at midnight on the Sunday with an aim of finishing before noon on the Sunday. Of course, that doesn’t always work out the way it should, but it’s fun trying!
For our readers, we’re focused on the 100km race today and taking a look at the entry list, the top three nominated times all come from ladies.
Sitting pretty at the top of the list is a name well-known to the pages of Ultra168 and ladies racing, Tash Fraser. Having just broken the 50km treadmill world record back in July, Tash should be in fine shape for a serious crack at this event and if I’m honest, barring any mishaps, should be on course to take the title here this weekend.
Sitting on Tash’s heals will be Amelia Griffith and Corrina Black, both thinking the clock will strike around 9 hours for their 100km.
Amelia has had a stellar year to date with wins at 6h Coburg Harriers Carnival (71.5kms), Princes Park 50 Km Urban Trail Run (4hrs 19mins), Adelaide 12 hour race (129kms) and the You Yangs 100 Mile (20hrs 43mins). Amelia also grabbed second at the Tan 50km Ultra this year behind Tash in a time of 4hrs 3mins. It’s worth noting also that Amelia has won this race previously back in 2015 as well as having a second and third place finish too.
Corrina Black has just the one race to her name this year, the Gold Coast 100km, which she finished in a time of 9hrs 18mins.
For the men, Mak Sawa and Daragh O’Loughlin look to be battling it out for the men’s title, both with a nominated time of nine hours also.
Mak’s also had a big year of running with wins at the New Years Eve Rock around the Clock 6hr (55kms), Australia Day Midnight Rambler 6hr (62kms), Princes Park 24hr Urban Trail Run (198.5kms) as well as a second place at the Tan Ultra 100km in a time of 9hrs 21mins.
Daragh has had a couple of podiums this year including the Princes Park 50 Km Urban Trail Run (4hrs 5mins) as well as running a 9hr 51min 100km split at the WA 24h Track Ultra.
Best of luck to all runners this weekend at the Ned Kelly Chase and look out for our Blackall 100 and 50km preview in the next day or two.
