SRC E-News April 24. Five weeks in lock down
King Island Imperial 20 By Rosalie Smith
8th March 2020
Better late than never and since no-one will be submitting any race reports due to Covid-19, here’s a rundown on the King Island Imperial 20 we attended on the long weekend in March 2020.
In its 26th year, the King Island Imperial 20 is a 32 km race from one side of the island to the other (coast to coast), starting at Narracoopa and finishing at Currie. Our son Robert and his wife Tamira (Maize) and children live on the island and Rob and Maize have been on the committee for the event for the past few years. The event brings people from all over Australia, many who have competed in the event multiple times.
Part of the weekend’s itinerary is a Carbo Dinner on the Saturday evening and this year’s guest speaker was none other than Liam Edwards, who spoke of the events of the past 6 months and his achievements of getting back on the bike as well as his goals still ahead of him. Liam had also addressed the Primary School children on the Friday morning and a group of the Senior School students on Friday afternoon who were undertaking Driver Education as part of their curriculum.
Liam was accompanied by his mother Nadine and sister Breanna for the weekend. Good old King Island hospitality (total population approx. 1,600) was seen first-hand as Rob and Maize put us all up in their house – their children are used to giving up their beds for mainland guests! We managed to fit in a lot of sightseeing around a lot of the Island in a few days, including the cheese factory, Cape Wickham Golf Course, some beautiful beaches and lots of ship wreck history. We were fortunate with the weather, the best Larry and I had ever experienced over there.
Porky’s Beach on the Saturday afternoon proved entertaining although none of us put our hands up to enter these races. First up was a ‘dash for cash’ whereby you had to nominate your time to run a 3km course along the beach. Watches and technology weren’t allowed. The one to finish closest to the nominated time was the winner. Next up was the infamous ‘nudey run’, females first followed by the males. A 200 metre run along the beach and into the (cold) water. Record numbers this year but we were all happy to be spectators! We saw backsides in the distance and there were butts of all ages and sizes.
Liam, Nadine, Larry and I had signed up to take part in the 32km relay run. Larry had to withdraw due to injury and Rob found us a fill in on the Thursday night, his workmate Tristan. The team was, in order of legs, Nadine, Tristan, Rosalie and Liam. The course itself had some tough inclines and the start of the race saw King Island weather at its best, wet, wiley and windy. Nadine tackled the first leg and did her usual amazing thing. We drove past her as she was tackling the incline and she was running strong and determined. Liam rode beside her on her leg, the bike being nothing like any he would be used to riding, dragged out of Rob’s shed and not in great condition.
Tristan tapped in to start the second leg and did himself proud, especially since he’d only had a few days’ notice. He also had mates in other teams so honour and smoko bragging rights were also at stake. Me next and I probably had the best conditions of the lot. The weather had improved and my leg had gradual inclines and a shorter distance than the others. I was ready for a big sprint at the end, only to find it was the end, a good 600m shorter than 8km. I was happy with my consistent pace and was spurred on by all of those that I passed. Yes, I passed people, 32km walking competitors but I did run past people!
Liam took over from me and did the fourth and final leg. Certainly an athlete be it on the bike on foot, he took off like a rocket. He hadn’t been training for this specifically but managed to keep to the pace that he had thought he would do. The final kilometre involved a steep downhill to the harbour and then back up the same to the finish line in the main street of Currie. He did a cracking pace but he sure did feel it the next day.
Our unofficial splits were:
Nadine Distance: 8.01 km 41.08
Tristan Distance: 8.09 km 37.55
Rosalie Distance: 7.4 km 43.36
Liam Distance: 8.4 km 34.58
Our combined times were enough to get us the first mixed relay time over the line and a podium finish! A first at a podium finish for me so pretty happy with that.
This year’s event saw record entrants. The weekend finished off with a Recovery Dinner on the Sunday night where awards and life memberships were handed out. It was lovely to see how long time entrants were recognised as well as the many friendships that have been formed over the 26 year history of this unique event.
King Island is a place we get to visit often having family over there so it was nice to be reminded of the innocence of everything by the reactions on the faces of Nadine, Liam and Breanna by the local customs (make sure you wave to oncoming cars) and simple lifestyle (crayfish to take home). Travis was unfortunately unable to take the trip due to work but lucky for him Nadine and Breanna don’t eat crayfish. Yes, leave your keys in your car and don’t lock it. The locals can pick the tourists easily by the locked cars.
Given we are able to travel on the long weekend in March 2021, I’m looking forward to entering the 32km run and completing the course solo. Other events include a 32km walking event, either 16km or 8km relay, an 8km event and children’s relay events. Introduced this year was a pram pushing event. My only regret is that we haven’t entered this event years ago and I certainly recommend it as a ‘bucket list’ event.
Some interesting facts:
- Course record for fastest female – Amelia Aslanides (2017) – 2:03:47.3
- Course record for fastest male – Steve Moneghetti (2002) 1:37.48
- Birthplace of Stewart McSweyn – Commonwealth Games Representative and 10,000m record holder
- Greek Ultra Marathon runner Yiannis Kouros ran from Currie to Narracoopa for his warm up run. (just because he could)!
2020 winner was Vanessa Wilson who won in a time of 2:02:20.1 She had only been doing distance running for the past 12 months or less from memory.
Anyone thinking they might like to tick this run off their bucket list, please speak to either myself or Larry. We’d be happy to help with possible accommodation, recommended flights etc, or what else you might want to see and do on King Island.
Happy isolation reading everyone!
Rosalie Smith
Runner Profile
Grace Smith
Grace Smith, aged 18 and PB’s include;
Mile: 7:21
5km: 29:09
What got your interested in running? Signed up for my first tetrathlon (swimming, running, pistol shooting and horse riding) and knew I needed to improve my running skills
Do you have any plans to complete any events once things start up again? Probably complete my first tetrathlon, any fun runs and days the club hold.
What running product/technique has helped you? Coach Chris and the whole SRC Family
Are frozen supermarket pizzas even worth? I don’t eat pizza, so it’s up to everyone else. Tell us what you do when you aren’t running with the SRC: I’m working (milking cows and riding/training racehorses), swimming, studying (Diploma of Building and construction) and sleeping
Training
Are you looking for a strength routine to include in your training? Starting Wednesday 23rd April we will release one of my tried and tested strength exercises each day. There’s six in this series and you can do them from the comfort of your own home. Cheers, Chris
All these can be found on the SRF Facebook page
The O’keefe – Ekiden
SRC Sisters (our girls team)
Last Sunday was supposed to see the SRC Sisters complete the Ekiden Relay in Heathcote. We all had highs hopes of maintaining a 4’45” pace across all legs and were in peak form. Bummed when current circumstances saw the event cancelled we decided to keep the spirit of the race alive and do it anyway. Across the weekend from Friday through Sunday we all completed our leg solo and posted our results and finishing photos in our messenger group. It was fantastic to see every ones encouraging and congratulatory comments with each post, including the words of encouragement from Kylie who was sadly sidelined due to injury. It suddenly didn’t feel so sad that we hadn’t done the actual race as we’d still completed it together in spirit and therefore as a team in a very respectable time of 3 hours 22 minutes “with change”. I loved the will do attitude and the positiveness that radiated from the girls we definitely kept the SRC spirit alive and I am proud to have been part of it. A huge thank you to Nat, Amanda, Kate D, Kate F and Norah for an amazing virtual race, and to Sharls who stepped in last minute to fill the gap. You girls Rock! Bring on the 2021 relay!
Virtual Mothers Day classic
If you haven’t already heard, Mother’s Day Classic is now VIRTUAL, and we’re inviting YOU to join our community!
We’re challenging you to walk or run 4km or 8km in your local area on (or before) Sunday 10 May.
MDC gives you the opportunity to keep fit, maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay active in your local area.
Race Calendar
Physically distant, virtually apart.
| Name of Event | Date of Event | Location of Event | Event Website | Facebook Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make it Your Own | Wednesday, 1 January 2020 to Thursday, 31 December 2020 | Anywhere in Australia | Event Website | Facebook Page |
| Pop! Challenge | Wednesday, 1 January 2020 to Thursday, 31 December 2020 | Anywhere in Australia | Event Website | Facebook Page |
| I Survived 2020 5km Virtual Run | Thursday, 1 October 2020 to Sunday, 31 January 2021 | Anywhere | Event Website | Facebook Page |
| Legacy Remembrance Walk | 6th November to 11th November | Anywhere | Event Website |
Butternut Pumpkin w. Persian Pistachio Pesto, Feta & Pomegranate
For the Butternut Pumpkin
- 1 large Butternut Pumpkin quartered lengthways (skin-on) and seeds removed
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 150 g feta
- 100 g pomegranate seeds
For the pesto
- 100 g shelled pistachio nuts
- 70 g parmesan chopped into rough chunks
- 100 ml olive oil
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley
- 1 small bunch fresh dill
- 1 red chilli
- 1 lemon juice only
- 2 tsp sea salt
- Preheat the oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking parchment.
- For the Butternut Pumpkin, rub each wedge of butternut Pumpkin with oil and season generously with sea salt and black pepper. Place on the lined baking tray.
- Roast the Pumpkin for about 45-50 minutes, just until the edges have begun to brown slightly (you want to blacken the edges a little to give them a nice chewy texture). Check the Pumpkin is cooked by inserting a knife – if it slides in easily the Pumpkin is cooked.
- For the pesto, add the pistachios and cheese to a food processor. Pulse to break them into small pieces and add enough olive oil to slacken the mixture to your desired consistency (you may not need all the oil). Add all the herbs, the chilli (if using) and lemon juice. Pulse again to combine the herbs and add a little more olive oil. Season generously with sea salt and give the mixture one last pulse. Taste the pesto, to make sure it has enough salt and acidity, and allow it to rest in the fridge until you need it.
- To serve, serve the butternut Pumpkin on plates, drizzled generously with the pesto. Crumble your feta over the top and scatter some pomegranate seeds over to finish.
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