86 replies to this topic

[Tim 2]

Just saw an article on this on the news board.
http://www.walkingco...om.au/home.html
How about a fatass approx 100km or if you catch a ferry from Crunulla to Bundeena you could extend it down to otford.

Not sure when it will fit into the calender.

Tim

[rodthehornet]

I saw the story midweek on TV news, then checked out the same map of the coastal route to see what the run would be like.

[ChookLegsMonkeyBoy]

I'd be in! I regularly use the Northern Beaches part of the coastal walk to train, and would love the opportunity to complete the whole route. It's hilly, but a fantastic run.

[Brick]

Tim 2, on Jul 27 2008, 07:27 PM, said:

Just saw an article on this on the news board.
http://www.walkingco...om.au/home.html
How about a fatass approx 100km or if you catch a ferry from Crunulla to Bundeena you could extend it down to otford.

Not sure when it will fit into the calender.

Tim

I saw the same thing and had the same idea, only problem but not sure when it could fit into the calendar nicely.

Brick

[Beaver]

Was at Palm Beach yesterday and thought that good training for MDS would be to run Palm Beach to Manly along each beach.

Calendar could be after 6FT but before TNF100.  Less crowds on the beaches and milder temps.

[Spud]

Beaver, on Jul 28 2008, 11:56 AM, said:

Was at Palm Beach yesterday and thought that good training for MDS would be to run Palm Beach to Manly along each beach.

You mean like this fatass run?

[Beaver]

Spud, on Jul 28 2008, 01:32 PM, said:

You mean like this fatass run?

Similar - I would modify that so you run along the sand on each beach.

[Jogger]

or this one palm beach to bondi - on as much sand as possible

[dropbear]

Beaver, on Jul 28 2008, 02:54 PM, said:

Similar - I would modify that so you run along the sand on each beach.

I would be really really interested if I could run on seaside roads/boardwalks.  

Maybe it's the 'Westie' version given the alternate course would be more than one legrope from the seashore.

db.

[nite_time_runner]

I was wondering if anything came of this idea? Myself and atleast 2 others ( ultra novices - in so many ways! )  were thinking this could be a great adventure.

It is in the "crazy talk" category at the moment, but may become a plan.  The thought of doing it close to home, refueling options relatively easy, having friends and other CR's drop in easily for partial distances all appeal.

We would choose the "least amount of sand" possible route in the interest of self preservation and making it to the end in one piece.

I will review the Manly to Palm Beach threads, and the "fear and loathing on Sydney beaches"  page looks really useful too.

Any thoughts on doing the start and finish ends in darkness?  ( sending this out for feedback, comment, gauging interest, etc )

Edited by nite_time_runner, 22 June 2009 - 06:41 PM.

[Nickelass]

nite_time_runner, on Jun 22 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

I was wondering if anything came of this idea? Myself and atleast 2 others ( ultra novices - in so many ways! )  were thinking of this could be a great adventure.

I'd be very keen to do this.

nite_time_runner, on Jun 22 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

We would choose the "least amount of sand" possible route in the interest of self preservation and making it to the end in one piece.

I agree.

How about setting a date and seeing who's interested?  Mid-late August look good.

[Jogger]

running in the dark? piece of cake if u use a torch. manly/bondi etc are heardly remote after all.

Edited by JoggerKev, 22 June 2009 - 02:35 PM.

[nite_time_runner]

Agree Kev - but i may not be brave enough if someone told me that track was skinny, loose and on the edge of a windy cliff!!  Headlamps, torches etc were all assumed equipment.

Edited by nite_time_runner, 22 June 2009 - 06:41 PM.

[ChookLegsMonkeyBoy]

I'd still be interested in joining in for at least part of the run. I'll keep an eye on this thread.
Cheers,
ChookLegs......

[Chunderbolt]

I am one of the 2 other ultra novices NTR was referring to earlier. The "crazy talk" is very quickly progressing into planning.

Basically we wish to run 100K together without putting ourselves in the middle of the bush, where as inexperienced ultra runners we would be at risk. This appears to be a good way to do it.

Having looked at Sydney's Great Coastal Walk and Fear and Loathing on Sydney's Beaches I suspect that the latter is pretty similar to the former and will suit most of our needs.

As NTR said we are looking to avoid sand, whereas the "Fear and Loathing" course seeks it out. Is anyone familiar with the course, and if so do they think there would be alternatives to the sand in most (preferably all) cases?

We may need to continue from Bondi to get up to 100K.

Current dates under discussion are September 5 and October 10.

[Coogee1979M]

Chunderbolt, on Jun 24 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

As NTR said we are looking to avoid sand, whereas the "Fear and Loathing" course seeks it out. Is anyone familiar with the course, and if so do they think there would be alternatives to the sand in most (preferably all) cases?

We may need to continue from Bondi to get up to 100K.

I've run between Bondi and Coogee quite a few times now, and that can be done with a combination of footpaths and the spooky cemetery.  Watch out for vampires and werewolves if you're running between dusk and dawn.  You can take care of the vampires by blinding them with the light of your headlamp.

The course between Coogee and Maroubra is a little more difficult to navigate.  The coastal path ends at Cuzco Street, South Coogee.  From there I suggest going west to the corner of Cuzco and Malabar Road, left into Malabar Road, then left into Mermaid Avenue and left into Lurline Street.  Then you can follow the foothpath to Marine Parade, and Marine Parade (footpath) takes you all the way to Maroubra beach.  

Chunderbolt, on Jun 24 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

Current dates under discussion are September 5 and October 10.

Melbourne marathon is on the weekend of 10-11 October, so for what it's worth I would be interested in doing some (Bondi Beach to Maroubra Beach?) of this run on 5 September.

[Hamburglar]

Chunderbolt, on Jun 24 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

Is anyone familiar with the course, and if so do they think there would be alternatives to the sand in most (preferably all) cases?

If you have a look at the G-map course of the Manly to Palm Beach page you will find a good route.

I designed the course to be:

1) On the road (i.e. no sand)
2) Off the main roads as much as possible
3) Picturesque as possible

That being said, a couple of detours come to mind that you may consider. That is, doing the loop around Long reef headland and taking the trail from Dee Why to North Curl Curl.

Inspired by Miss Z, I am in the process of creating some new maps for next year that should be updated in the next couple of days.

[Chunderbolt]

Thank you, Hamburglar. I've now had a good look at that g-map course, and it serves the purpose beautifully.

The update on this is that NTR, Captain Smeg and I are planning to do it on September 5 at 7:00AM. We think it will be a good Fatass 100K on training wheels in that there will be any number of options to run as little or as much of it as you please and there will be a large number of opportunities for aid should you need it. The full course will be published when we have mapped it, and we will have maps available on the day.

We are in the process of planning the full route. The first section will in all likelihood be the Manly to Palm Beach course in reverse with the detours that Hamburglar has outlined. From there we will run a loop around North Head and follow the coast to the Spit Bridge.

I have mapped out the run as far as the Spit bridge. I'm not really that familiar with that part of Sydney. Can anyone tell me if there is a defined path that follows the coast from the Spit bridge to or would we be better off going down Military Rd. My preference would be to follow the coast, but we don't want to do hardcore bush bashing or running on sand if it can be avoided. What would be our better option?

[rodthehornet]

You could run from Spit Bridge around to Balmoral, up the stairs at the southern end of Balmoral beach, left down Middle Head Road (short detour out to Middle Head and have a look at the gun placements and tunnels) and then take a right down to Chowder Bay.  From there, you can pick up a trail that follows the harbour around to Bradleys Head and the zoo.  Around the back of the zoo and you are down at Mosman Rowers.  From there, my ideas go fuzzy, but I am sure you can follow some roads, keep the water on your left and you will run into the Harbour Bridge.

Not bad for a westie.

[SlowManiac]

I run this route quite regularly. From the Spit Bridge you can follow the Trailwalker course to Mosman (all on road, and good foot path) - chinamans beach, balmoral beach, clifton gardens and so on.

From then on you can follow foot path (a bit irregular in parts) to Taronga zoo. From then on there is another little bit of walkway to Cremorne and the Cremorne point path. Thats the furthest I have been.

So basically yes, you can follow the coast from the Spit bridge more or less to Cremorne. I think from there on it becomes difficult to follow the coast.

If you are keen I could run it with you guys some time if its convenient. Its one of my favourite runs and I would love to share it.

Edit: Basically what Rod said

Edited by SlowManiac, 29 June 2009 - 09:07 PM.

[nite_time_runner]

rodthehornet, on Jun 29 2009, 06:04 AM, said:

Not bad for a westie.

You? Me? or BennyR? Which one of us are you referring to. You will have to be more specific  

SlowManiac: i will definately take you up on that offer - i suspect my partners in crime   will also. Thanks for the offer!

The details are getting clearer, and now the dates are firmed up, i hope some others may consider joining us - anywhere along the path - not just at the start - we will be out there for hours.....

[CaptainSmeg]

I'm REALLY looking forward to this now, as the training steps up, and I'm not disintegrating under the strain.
Chunderbolt will have a 310 which hopefully will last the whole run.
As the training runs get up past the 50 mark, I'm finding faults with some of my gear... I can nearly justify an upgrade to the boss!
Thanks for all the input on the routes everyone. Chunderbolt, NTR and I had better get our butts into gear and publish the intended run...

[theAuthor]

SlowManiac, on Jun 29 2009, 10:05 PM, said:

From then on you can follow foot path (a bit irregular in parts) to Taronga zoo. From then on there is another little bit of walkway to Cremorne and the Cremorne point path. Thats the furthest I have been.

So basically yes, you can follow the coast from the Spit bridge more or less to Cremorne. I think from there on it becomes difficult to follow the coast.

If you are keen I could run it with you guys some time if its convenient. Its one of my favourite runs and I would love to share it.

You can keep going to the western end of Cremorne Point and join Shell Cove Road and go to Kuraba Point (view of Harbour at very end).  After that follow Kurraba Road and cut through Andersen Park (view of Harbour) then take Hipwood Street to Milson Park (another Harbour view).  Kirribilli doesn't give that much in the way of views but if you follow Elemang Avenue, Peel Street and Carabella Street you could try crashing Kevin07's Sydney residence (that has got a view).  At Waruda Street you can take some steps down to the foreshore and follow round to the bridge, before heading back up the hill to cross the Coathanger.

[cliffold]

CaptainSmeg, on Aug 4 2009, 11:55 AM, said:

I'm REALLY looking forward to this now, as the training steps up, and I'm not disintegrating under the strain.
Chunderbolt will have a 310 which hopefully will last the whole run.
As the training runs get up past the 50 mark, I'm finding faults with some of my gear... I can nearly justify an upgrade to the boss!
Thanks for all the input on the routes everyone. Chunderbolt, NTR and I had better get our butts into gear and publish the intended run...

Saw you cruising along Ryde Road near Pymble on Sunday morning - doing some sekrit training without CB?

[CaptainSmeg]

cliffold, on Aug 4 2009, 05:03 PM, said:

Saw you cruising along Ryde Road near Pymble on Sunday morning - doing some sekrit training without CB?

Heh! I figured it must have been a CR who honked.   Cheers!
Actually, Chunderbolt was doing a segment of the intended route with SlowManiac (so at least one of us knows where we are going!)

[nite_time_runner]

I'm really pumped for this!! Chunderbolt has started already gathering the maps for the first half of the route together ( Palm Beach to the Harbour Bridge ) , and I will gather the second ( Harbour Bridge to Maroubra ).  I printed out a lot of maps today for the second half, and may even do a run on that in the next week or so to get a good look at it, mark where shops are, taps, etc.

So, come rain hail or shine, atleast 3 of us ( Chunderbolt, CaptainSmeg and I ) will be running from Palm Beach, to 100km south of there ( somewhere near Maroubra we guess ), starting at 7am on Saturday September 5.   We wont be racing it, but others are welcome too!   The whole idea was to do the 100km distance, but stay within easy reach of home, help and hamburgers.

Let CB, CS or I know, via posting here or PM, if you want to join us at the start, finish or somewhere in the middle!!

Edited by nite_time_runner, 08 August 2009 - 06:27 PM.

[Mouse]

BUMP!

I will be doing "support crew" duties, most probably meeting the boys at 7am to pick up any gear and take it various spots along the way.  I am sure CaptainSmeg's and Chunderbolt's other (better?    ) halves and I will be enjoying coffee, breakfast, elevenses etc throughout the day.  

If other partners would like to join and watch the craziness unfold - let me know!

[Coogee1979M]

I'm planning on doing some of this run on 5 September - just not sure which parts and for how far.

Tap and shop information between Bondi and Coogee:

Two taps at the north end of Bondi Beach, about 100 metres apart.
Lots of shops in Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach.

One tap at Tamarama.

One tap between Clovelly and the cemetery - near the sports field.

Cafe at Clovelly (although it might not be open after sunset in winter).

Lots of shops in Arden Street, Coogee, just across from the beach, including the infamous Coogee Bay Hotel.

[Chunderbolt]

Great to hear Coogee!

We have decided to call this run "The Three Headed Monster". Sydney Coastal Walk Fatass felt a bit too sedate.

I'll be putting together the wiki page and putting it on the calendar over the next few days.

The first section looks like this after adding Hamburglars two suggestions:

Map My Run Map from Palm Beach to Manly

It runs to 33K to South Stene SLSC. The next section is about 38K to the Opera House:

Map My Run Map from Manly to the Opera House

Written descriptions coming soon....

[Mouse]

*BUMP*

Getting to the pointy end now  

[nite_time_runner]

I know we have three keen starters, and two people indicating they will join along the way:

Full Monster
Chunderbolt
CaptainSmeg
Nite Time Runner

Part Monster
Mango - on mountain bike for part of the course.
Coogee1979M
Blkbox - from Opera House to Bondi
TrailPuddin - from Opera House to Bondi

Monster Watcher
Rags - has offered to wave and supply a rest stop at Milsons Point

Any others to add for the full or part \"Three Headed Monster       \"? ( fatass page here )

Edited by nite_time_runner, 03 September 2009 - 04:54 PM.

[blkbox]

Which route are you guys taking after the Opera House???

I might be able to give you a guided tour via Woolloomooloo, through the Cross, down into Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay through Rose Bay and then around the harbour foreshore taking in Shark Bay, Parsley Bay, Watsons Bay, around South Head, before picking up the coastal path at the Gap and then heading down to Bondi, depending on what time you are planning on being at the Opera House

[nite_time_runner]

hi BB,

I dont think we will get to the Opera House before 4pm ( give or take some - we would done 70km by then )

We intended on taking the Coastal Walk ( or Main walk as i see it refered to sometimes ). Here is the course we intend on following. I have done it once not too long ago, but the areas after Rose Bay were a little tricky, so a guide would be fantastic!  

Here is the map of the intended route - sounds the same to what you suggested.   (**note - final updated map will be updated on the fatass website )

I am happy to record likely meeting points and gather phone numbers to SMS estimated arrival times,  so we can meet fairly efficiently on the day.

Edited by nite_time_runner, 25 August 2009 - 03:12 PM.

[blkbox]

Yeap - looks like the same route as I had outlined - its a bit hilly in parts and does include the first part of HBH, however the views are spectacular and well worth it.

It's probably a good idea to get as close to Bondi before it goes too dark, some of the pathway from the gap to the beach isn't that clever.

I will PM you my mobile.

[Chunderbolt]

blkbox, on Aug 25 2009, 03:08 PM, said:

It's probably a good idea to get as close to Bondi before it goes too dark, some of the pathway from the gap to the beach isn't that clever.

I was worried about that. It looks like in our desire to avoid dying in the wilderness during a Fatass we may end up falling off the gap.

Headlights, comrades!

[blkbox]

Chunderbolt, on Aug 25 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

I was worried about that. It looks like in our desire to avoid dying in the wilderness during a Fatass we may end up falling off the gap.

Headlights, comrades!

There is just one section between the gap and Bondi that runs behind the houses and take you across some football fields etc, where there is little light.

From Bronte there is a section that goes via the local graveyard that is not well lit either and the part around Gordon's Bay may be a challenge too.

I don't think you will be in danger of falling off the cliff, but better to be safe than sorry I guess.

[sfGnome]

Bummer! I have a 33k scheduled for that weekend and I was getting all excited about running part of this with you, but it's a Striders 10k morning... AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!  

[blkbox]

Chunderbolt - you may have a little more time up your sleeve than you thought, as it was still "light" around 5.45 last night in the eastern 'burbs

Given you have another week or so to go, that may well stretch out closer to 6pm on the big day.

[thomo]

blkbox, on Aug 25 2009, 03:20 PM, said:

From Bronte there is a section that goes via the local graveyard that is not well lit

That would be the graveyard shift.

sfGnome, on Aug 25 2009, 11:06 PM, said:

Bummer! I have a 33k scheduled for that weekend and I was getting all excited about running part of this with you, but it's a Striders 10k morning... AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!  

You are getting soft sfGnome. Striders in the am and SGCR in the arvo.

You should to go see your friendly Chemist for some HT*U tablets.

[sfGnome]

thomo, on Aug 26 2009, 08:00 AM, said:

You are getting soft sfGnome. Striders in the am and SGCR in the arvo.
You should to go see your friendly Chemist for some HT*U tablets.

Ha! My beloved Chemist would kill me...

[Chunderbolt]

sfGnome, on Aug 25 2009, 11:06 PM, said:

Bummer! I have a 33k scheduled for that weekend and I was getting all excited about running part of this with you, but it's a Striders 10k morning... AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!  

Run the race, go get a coffee and a really nice breakfast at the Corso. We should pick you up at South Steyne SLSC sometime around 11. Run (stroll) to Circular Quay with us, catch a train home.

Easy.

You know you want to.

[nite_time_runner]

The FatAss page for this is updatedwith detailed descriptions and maps.  As some may know, it will be close to a full moon, so the night run, around the harbour with city light views should be spectacular!!!

We should hit Manly corso somewhere around 11am - we may run into striders having breakfast who want to join us. ( isnt that right SfGnome??!!! )

Edited by nite_time_runner, 01 September 2009 - 09:56 AM.

[sfGnome]

nite_time_runner, on Sep 1 2009, 09:20 AM, said:

We should hit Manly corso somewhere around 11am - we may run into striders having breakfast who want to join us. ( isnt that right SfGnome??!!! )

Sadly, no. Try as I might, I just couldn't make it work with all the other constraints. One of these days I'll do the Manly<=>Opera House run, but not this weekend.

[seris]

nite_time_runner, on Sep 1 2009, 09:20 AM, said:

The FatAss page for this is updatedwith detailed descriptions and maps.  As some may know, it will be close to a full moon, so the night run, around the harbour with city light views should be spectacular!!!

We should hit Manly corso somewhere around 11am - we may run into striders having breakfast who want to join us. ( isnt that right SfGnome??!!! )

I was hoping to be at home as you run right past my house at North Curl Curl... but I'll be at my son's Cross Country at Centennial Park till lunch time. Maybe if there are some slow guys out there I'll be back in time to cheer them on.

[nite_time_runner]

seris, on Aug 31 2009, 10:57 PM, said:

I was hoping to be at home as you run right past my house at North Curl Curl... but I'll be at my son's Cross Country at Centennial Park till lunch time. Maybe if there are some slow guys out there I'll be back in time to cheer them on.

We are the slow guys!!!  We plan on being at Manly by 11am if that helps with timing. I am happy to SMS you our location at a certain time so you can work out if your able to join us.

[seris]

You'll have to be slower than that. I reckon you'll be at Nth Curl Curl 30 mins earlier around 10.30am. Definitely be at Centennial Park at that time....

[Chunderbolt]

One final bump.

The updated course has us finishing at the corner of Arden St and Coogee Bay Rd. Just outside the Coogee Bay Hotel.

I've decided that my post race treat is going to be chocolate gelato.

Wish us luck!

[nite_time_runner]

List of Full and Part Monster participants updated a little further up the thread...despite weather today, Saturdays forecast is looking like great running weather!!!

[Koala1]

Oooh - good luck everyone - sounds like a great run!

[Coogee1979M]

I'm looking forward to it, even if I'm just doing 20 Km close to home.  The best bit will be running with three other people, to keep me safe from those pesky vampires in the cemetery.  

NTR / Chunderbolt / CaptainSmeg, do you have an estimated time of arrival at Bondi?  If the ETA at the Opera House is 4pm, then maybe 6.30pm or so at Bondi?