After the hectic Sprint Events in Sydney all gear was packed and off to Lithgow.
The weather was to prove anything but kind. The Monday set up was achieved amidst rain showers and Tuesday continued with a similar pattern of wind, rain and cold.
Fortunately our accommodation proved to be warm and the kitchen dished up huge helpings of great food to the late arrivals.
Wednesday dawned all too quickly and the trip to Long Swamp just north of Lithgow proved to be cold and damp.
The event was run in bitterly cold conditions. The Uringa Finish team were lucky as in the main they stayed relatively dry except for those competing. Any whingeing about how cold it was was met with _ "Your lucky you are not on Start 1"
This start was horrendous. besides being at the end of a steep climb it was exposed to all the elements and the start team were there from around 7am until well after midday. They clung to the side of the hill in atrocious conditions and carried out their tasks without flinching- they were the heroes of this carnival.
Meanwhile back at the finish disaster befell our Mo. She unfortunately missed her 8th control and as a result meant that she would be non competitive in the finals on Saturday. Sarah Garnett also fell foul to the miss-punch hoodoo.
Spare a thought for Ted Mulherin as he ended up in plaster after a breaking his ankle. get well soon!
Thursday saw us at Cullen Bullen state forest. A new map ( we are using it next year as part of a two day with Central Coast). I had run on this area undertaking test runs about 2 months before.
The second qualifier was staged in better weather conditions however there were still cold winds gusting through the area and an occasional shower or two.
There were a number of strong results.
Friday was rest day. For some- Movies, wineries were on the menu and some went to the event site to assist in setting up for Saturday's finals. Others were battling with the complexities of setting up the start list for the finals. - 6 1/2 hours work.
Saturday saw everyone smiling as there was a big frost and usually after a big frost you have a perfect day and that is what we had.
Whilst it was cool to start it was indeed perfect running weather.
Runners were soon returning and the versatile Uringans were popping up everywhere lending a hand.
By 2pm we were well into the presentation and the Finish team were just that. Cables unplugged, computers stowed and all that remained was to shoe horn it all into the car ready for the trip home.
Uringans are a funny lot. After JWOC where so much of the day was spent out in the forest away from the event -the finish was right where the action is. However they were all itchy to get involved and were off doing all sorts of jobs everywhere . Great effort everyone.
This day is very much what may have been.
Maureen ran in the W75 final her time would have won but alas her time did not count.
Sarah was similar with a non competitive time but she would have finished 12th in her final.
Linda Sesta was our highest placed competitor with a fantastic 6th place in W40.
results:
W40A Linda Sesta 6th
W45B Lisa Lampe 3rd
W50B Margaret Wilmott 10th
W50B Sarah Garnett nc
W55A Jan Sargood 25th
W60B Angela Murray 9th
W75A Maureen Ogilvie nc
M50A Mark Darvodelsky 19th
M55A Nick Wilmott 10th
M55B Rick Steele mp
M60A Dave Lotty 39th
M65A Dick Ogilvie 25th
Sarah finishing in the Sprints
Linda finishing in the sprints
Ingrid assist Ron on computers
The most dangerous job of all returning maps!
All hands on deck for sprint set up
The all day Finals start draw
There were those Uringans who went to the events to help out only
Long Events:
Gayle, Helen, Anne, Ingrid, Arthur, Jitka and Zuzu and the Jones family who were out far from the action at a water stop.
Sprint Events
Gayle, Helen, Anne, Arthur, Mary Jane, Matt, Jitka, Zuzu.
Now what is next? World championships?
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