92 replies to this topic

[ratdog]

Horrendously Hilly Half Marathon

Date: Sunday 6th November 2011
Location: Western Sydney Parklands Sugarloaf Ridge and the M7 Cycleway.
Time: 8:30 am
Cost: Free
Distances: 21.1km and 10km.

Access to the Start/Finish area can be achieved from Walgrove Rd, then Saxony Rd, then Border Rd.  A location map is here.

Here is the facebook page link. Invite anyone you want. The more the merrier.

The plan is to have a couple of drink stations along the route.  

Prizes will be on offer, but breaking from tradition, the prizes will not only go to the podium places, but to ordinary folk who may finish middle of the pack or back of the pack.

The Horrendously Hilly Half Marathon Course consists a a few hills. 7 in total.  In most cases you get to go down them before you have to go back up them.  The worst hill is the final hill but its only 700m and 6.8% Grade.
95% of the course is on the M7 cycleway between the Equestrian centre and Hoxton Park Rd, consisting of smooth bitumen hot mix and small sections of concrete.  The other 5% of the course is on a course chip road.

The 10 km route follows the same route as the HHHM but the turn around point is at the top of the hill at Cecil Hills.  The course will be clearly marked.


The Elevation profile.


The tables and chairs.
We can relax here looking out at the view as we recover.


The view from the top.
The view of the surrounding district all the way to the city from the Ridge is wonderfully peaceful and a perfect place for families and friends to relax and have a bbq lunch or morning tea.
Beautiful one day, perfect the next.  A real gem of Western Sydney


Toilets.
Another gem of the West.  Running water available.


A large bbq will be bought along so a communal cook-up can happen.  

All rubbish must be removed at the end of the day.
The course is not closed, most of it is on the bike path and therefore courtesy to all other users is required.  
No littering on course.

FATASS EVENT, MEANING FREE, NOT 100% ACCURATE, JUST ROCK UP AND RUN

Edited by ratdog, 07 September 2011 - 01:43 PM.

[buzzlightyear]

Darn, same day as Gong ride and week before GNW. Otherwise, the word 'Horrendously' is a definite turn on!!

[Colin]

If you are going to use the gas BBQ's there, make sure before hand that they are working and gassed up. Had to drive back home once to get my own gas BBQ. Think it falls under Parramatta council, at least that's where I reported it too...or the Regional Pk offices may be there, can't remember.

But a great place to have a race. SMC (Luis, Rod, myself) tried to get a x-country series going there.

[runhard]

sounds like fun!!!!!   count me in  

[superflake]

It is also the same day as the Run 4 Fun on at Homebush.
Love the profile Ratdog. Downhills first are always appealing.

[ratdog]

superflake, on 07 September 2011 - 05:41 PM, said:

It is also the same day as the Run 4 Fun on at Homebush.
Love the profile Ratdog. Downhills first are always appealing.

I saw that race as something more for the cashed up people of the running fraternity due to the $45 or $50 entry for 10km.  I hope this provides an alternative to this Ned Kelly type robbery by the Sun-Herald.

[cazzy1]

Count me in.....I have been on that course before with SMC42K when training for 6ft track. Agree about those hills.

[craigus]

ratdog, on 07 September 2011 - 06:06 PM, said:

I saw that race as something more for the cashed up people of the running fraternity due to the $45 or $50 entry for 10km.  I hope this provides an alternative to this Ned Kelly type robbery by the Sun-Herald.

Agreed - I've already contributed enough to Fairfax this year.

I'm in - should be "fun"  

[runhard]

I train that way as well and  havent noticed any hills yet!  I thought they were mountains  

[RAZORAMMO]

This seems like a perfect way to introduce myself to the locals.

I'm still quite slow - but I've lost over 30kg this past 8 months so I've improved my pace a little. I beat my 2008 C2S this year by almost an hour.

Been running 12km along the M7 from Gt Western Hwy entrance, and currently training for my first half-marathon in May - so count me in too!

[nite_time_runner]

Giddyup - great idea Ratty. Happy to kick in a couple of "horrendously hilly trophy" mugs too if you want them!

[B+]

Looks good! The weekend before Nepean triathlon though so this will be a last minute decision for me.

Train safe

[RAZORAMMO]

I'd want to really do the half, but run pretty slow still(1:46 in C2S) so should I just do the 10km? I fear by the time I get back doing the half, everyone would be packing up to go home...

[nite_time_runner]

Razor...given this is Fatass (ie no rules! ) you could start a bit earlier or turn around somewhere between 8-11km, if your time is a concern. I would say the second option has more appeal as you can start, run and finish with everyone!

[RAZORAMMO]

nite_time_runner, on 12 September 2011 - 09:26 AM, said:

Razor...given this is Fatass (ie no rules! ) you could start a bit earlier or turn around somewhere between 8-11km, if your time is a concern. I would say the second option has more appeal as you can start, run and finish with everyone!

ahh awesome, sounds good! When I see the starting pack running back to the finish, that's when I know to start running back - thanks!

[Lotsahare]

Sounds good to us! We may op to join up with all somewhere along the track and use it as a taper run for Gnw.   Lotshare & Bert

[ratdog]

nite_time_runner, on 11 September 2011 - 04:46 PM, said:

Giddyup - great idea Ratty. Happy to kick in a couple of "horrendously hilly trophy" mugs too if you want them!

NTR,

Thanks that will be great.  

Im sure everyone would love to see an assortment of T-Shirts/gear you have for sale at the start/finishline as well.

[nite_time_runner]

Nice plug RD     

If anyone ( everyone!!! ) with artistic wants to send me ideas for a logo or design for the inaugural hosting of this event ( ian @symbol youcanrun.com.au ), I will stick it on the mugs. Also, closer the date (maybe a week out) if we do a rollcall, I'll print all attendees names on the mugs too  (like an honour roll!!)  

I reckon that would make a pretty cool trophy mug - like a time capsule!!

Edited by nite_time_runner, 13 September 2011 - 05:36 PM.

[Rock Doctor]

I wont be running as I am still injured, but it looks great. Will be great ot have an event like this again after the demise of the Kembla Joggers Horrible Half Marathon which was indeed horrible.

[SMC42K]

cazzy1, on 08 September 2011 - 09:07 AM, said:

Count me in.....I have been on that course before with SMC42K when training for 6ft track. Agree about those hills.

Ratdog, you have wimped out. To call it a "horrendously horrible half marathon" in its full meaning, you would have to run it over the loop inside the park, including "Ginger Meggs" hill. That would sort out the really TOUGH runners from the pretenders. Do this loop at the start & the finish to really appreciate the challenge. It helped me to get fit for the 6 foot marathon several times.

[ratdog]

SMC42K, on 13 September 2011 - 09:14 PM, said:

Ratdog, you have wimped out. To call it a "horrendously horrible half marathon" in its full meaning, you would have to run it over the loop inside the park, including "Ginger Meggs" hill. That would sort out the really TOUGH runners from the pretenders. Do this loop at the start & the finish to really appreciate the challenge. It helped me to get fit for the 6 foot marathon several times.

I rode over the course today and mentioned that to my riding partner once at the top of the hill.  He shook his head and said "You want people to come to this run dont you?"

Maybe next year we can modify the route if it doesnt live up to its name.

[RAZORAMMO]

nite_time_runner, on 13 September 2011 - 02:07 PM, said:

Nice plug RD     

If anyone ( everyone!!! ) with artistic wants to send me ideas for a logo or design for the inaugural hosting of this event ( ian @symbol youcanrun.com.au ), I will stick it on the mugs. Also, closer the date (maybe a week out) if we do a rollcall, I'll print all attendees names on the mugs too  (like an honour roll!!)  

I reckon that would make a pretty cool trophy mug - like a time capsule!!

oooh.. let me do that, happy to help - if only so that I can suck-up to the members here being a newbie and all. Will mugs be on white or black, transparent PNG @ 300dpi?

[runhard]

RAZORAMMO, on 14 September 2011 - 10:54 AM, said:

Will mugs be on white or black, transparent PNG @ 300dpi?

If its for the winner, I'll have blue with PNG @ 500dpi please!!!  

[RAZORAMMO]

OK done

JPG on a blue mug for preview and
PNG on transparent background for printing

http://db.tt/rxswpMM

[runhard]

RAZORAMMO, on 14 September 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

OK done

JPG on a blue mug for preview and
PNG on transparent background for printing

http://db.tt/rxswpMM

WOW. they are pretty good for a quick whip up!  Well done.

[craigus]

I like it  

[ratdog]

RAZORAMMO, on 14 September 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

OK done

JPG on a blue mug for preview and
PNG on transparent background for printing

http://db.tt/rxswpMM

Approved !!!!!!!

[rodthehornet]

SMC42K, on 13 September 2011 - 09:14 PM, said:

Ratdog, you have wimped out. To call it a "horrendously horrible half marathon" in its full meaning, you would have to run it over the loop inside the park, including "Ginger Meggs" hill. That would sort out the really TOUGH runners from the pretenders. Do this loop at the start & the finish to really appreciate the challenge. It helped me to get fit for the 6 foot marathon several times.

The toughest hill out there is the one up from The Dairy picnic area up to Moonlight lookout.  I have taken a few people out there for training runs and it tends to humble most.

[OurDogScruff]

RAZORAMMO, on 14 September 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

OK done

JPG on a blue mug for preview and
PNG on transparent background for printing

http://db.tt/rxswpMM

They're superb, great work

[nite_time_runner]

Cool stuff man!! Can you supply PSD files? ( no worries if not able ). I will put a list of names on the flip side of the mug - everyone who answers the roll call a week out will have their name on the trophy mugs.  We have 20cm x 8cm to work with, and 300dpi is best.

Edited by nite_time_runner, 14 September 2011 - 09:15 PM.

[RAZORAMMO]

nite_time_runner, on 14 September 2011 - 09:14 PM, said:

Cool stuff man!! Can you supply PSD files? ( no worries if not able ). I will put a list of names on the flip side of the mug - everyone who answers the roll call a week out will have their name on the trophy mugs.  We have 20cm x 8cm to work with, and 300dpi is best.

Cool. PSD is now in the same folder for you to download - http://db.tt/rxswpMM

[SMC42K]

ratdog, on 13 September 2011 - 10:37 PM, said:

I rode over the course today and mentioned that to my riding partner once at the top of the hill.  He shook his head and said "You want people to come to this run dont you?"

Maybe next year we can modify the route if it doesnt live up to its name.

And why is the 6 foot track marathon so popular? Isn't it because of the challenge?

Edited by SMC42K, 14 September 2011 - 10:03 PM.

[runhard]

nite_time_runner, on 14 September 2011 - 09:14 PM, said:

Cool stuff man!! Can you supply PSD files? ( no worries if not able ). I will put a list of names on the flip side of the mug - everyone who answers the roll call a week out will have their name on the trophy mugs.  We have 20cm x 8cm to work with, and 300dpi is best.

Is the mug only for the winners?  Im happy to take it as a trophy, however  Ratty wants to know if he can buy one after coming second and missing out!

[ratdog]

runhard, on 15 September 2011 - 08:48 AM, said:

Is the mug only for the winners?  Im happy to take it as a trophy, however  Ratty wants to know if he can buy one after coming second and missing out!

Im guessing the winner of this huge event will be running under 65 minutes and nor You or I have any chance of that!  

They will be for sale.

[runhard]

ratdog, on 18 September 2011 - 10:21 PM, said:

will be running under 65 minutes

Riding a bike doesnt count    I will be aiming for a 68  hahahahahaha

[nite_time_runner]

I am not sure who and how Ratty will award these invaluable prizes, but here is one of the prizes on offer......


I bet it goes straight to the pool room!!!

[runhard]

Ive already cleared a spot!!!!    Now to convince everyone else not to turn up so I have a chance!!!!

RH

PS: How much for one?  And when will you take orders?

[OurDogScruff]

That looks great NTR, very nice work, and also to RAZORAMMO for the logo.

Good luck getting your mug RH  

[frankie]

i might put this in the 2012 diary if it will go ahead next year.

[fatboyslim]

Depending on injuries i am in for the half. Heres hoping.

[sfGnome]

Hmmm... Looking at that mug (no, the thing you drink out of, not Runhard's head!), it is obvious that the race should have been called the "Massively Hilly Half Marathon", simply to get a bit more symmetry in the logo.  

[Lotsahare]

That's great to hear FBS, you will be fine we can run out our pain together! Initially I was going to sneak in around the 11k's & do a taper run for Gnw but now since you are doing the full monty and Bert & I 'just have to have' one of those super looking mugs.. we will both be in for the full also .. oh i can feel the pain already Lotshare & Bert

Edited by Lotsahare, 01 October 2011 - 10:15 PM.

[runhard]

sfGnome, on 30 September 2011 - 10:15 PM, said:

Hmmm... Looking at that mug (no, the thing you drink out of, not Runhard's head!), it is obvious that the race should have been called the "Massively Hilly Half Marathon", simply to get a bit more symmetry in the logo.  

Hahahahha     might have to run looking like this   !!

Looking forward to seeing Bert and Anne out there as always,

[Dickie]

I need one of those mugs in my life...count me in!

[ratdog]

We would like to thank the following sponsors for putting up some prizes for the event.


We all love running in great running clothing that is fit for purpose and aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to youcanrun.com.au for their support to get this race up and running. www.youcanrun.com.au



Thanks heap to the team from ronhilldownunder.co.uk for the great socks that will be prizes in our very first run. www.ronhilldownunder.co.uk

[craigus]

Just back from a run on part of the HHHM course including the run up to the Sugarloaf Ridge lookout (*waits for the usual Thomo earbashing for running a course before an event   )

That final hill is a killer, this event will certainly live up to its name.  Only 2 weeks to go.

[Stem]

craigus, on 22 October 2011 - 08:19 AM, said:

That final hill is a killer, this event will certainly live up to its name.  Only 2 weeks to go.

Better start thinking about considering to prepare to start training.......soon.

[Linno]

I was out in the parklands area this morning too. A beautiful morning for running, if a little warm.
Interesting that this thread is curently just after the 'snakes on trail' thread, as there are certainly plenty of snakes around here!

[nite_time_runner]

I have got the first lot of the "award mugs" ready!!

Ratty has come up with some interesting award categories!!!  Be sure to dress well, be the least slowest, and have a good sense of humour!

If you are interested in buying a shirt or singlet to remember the day, I can make them up and have them ready for pick up on the day ( if ordered with a weeks notice, and no shipping costs incurred then either ) or posted out to you if they wont be ready for the day.  

You can find them here: http://youcanrun.com.au/hilly

[ratdog]

nite_time_runner, on 22 October 2011 - 02:11 PM, said:

I have got the first lot of the "award mugs" ready!!

Ratty has come up with some interesting award categories!!!  Be sure to dress well, be the least slowest, and have a good sense of humour!

If you are interested in buying a shirt or singlet to remember the day, I can make them up and have them ready for pick up on the day ( if ordered with a weeks notice, and no shipping costs incurred then either ) or posted out to you if they wont be ready for the day.  

You can find them here: http://youcanrun.com.au/hilly

NTR

Those shirts are awesome.  Ill get back to you with some sizes.