Every now and then someone undertakes something truly epic.
On March 25, Richard Bowles will set out to run the entire Bicentennial National Trail from Healesville in Victoria to Cooktown in far north Queensland, a distance of around 5,330km. Hoping to finish in under 6 months Rich will be crewed by his partner Vickie all the way.
Besides the inevitable trials, tribulations and adventures Richard is going to face along the way, he is raising money for the charity SANE to assist in their support of those who suffer mental illness.
If ever there was a journey that could inspire this would surely be it.
You can find out more about the run and follow Richard's progress here:
www.runbnt.com
1
Bicentennial National Trail Solo RunRichard Bowles plan to run 5330km
Started by
Whippet Man
, Feb 04 2012 10:17 PM
13 replies to this topic
#1
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trailrunner
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Posted 04 February 2012 - 10:17 PM
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#2
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Posted 06 February 2012 - 05:43 AM
This is something I have been dreaming of doing for some time except in the opposite direction. Good luck Richard. I will definitely be following his progress with interest
#3
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 06 February 2012 - 01:59 PM
Thanks for bringing this brilliant plan to my attention, Whippet. I had no idea of the man or the trail - looking forward to learning more about both.
#4
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Posted 06 February 2012 - 09:15 PM
Fantastic. I will definitely be keeping any eye on this. I work around some of the BNT trail and come across camel riders, horseriders and walkers but not a runner yet and always wondered if anyone had or was planning to run this. What an incredible journey it will be.....I look forward to hearing more.
#5
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retired
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Posted 07 February 2012 - 08:48 AM
that's a f**king long way.
good luck.
will be watching.
good luck.
will be watching.
#6
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trailrunner
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Posted 07 February 2012 - 09:26 AM
Wow, good luck Richard.
Epic!
Epic!
#7
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Posted 07 February 2012 - 11:00 PM
I've thought of doing a SECTION of it - that's a completely audacious run to undertake! Best of luck Richard and Vickie!
Whippet - is there any chance to get out and run with him when he gets to our locale?
Whippet - is there any chance to get out and run with him when he gets to our locale?
#8
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trailrunner
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Posted 07 February 2012 - 11:18 PM
Kato, on 07 February 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:
I've thought of doing a SECTION of it - that's a completely audacious run to undertake! Best of luck Richard and Vickie!
Whippet - is there any chance to get out and run with him when he gets to our locale?
Whippet - is there any chance to get out and run with him when he gets to our locale?
Yes, very likely Richard will be welcoming runners to join him where possible. He will be trying to engage local communities as he passes through to help with the fund raising so should be easy to catch up with. And I expect some company from local runners would be a great boost.
#9
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rassum brassum msblsssl
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Posted 08 February 2012 - 09:53 AM
he's the kind of guy who doesn't mind a chat, so would probably appreciate a bit of company along the way.
#10
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Posted 20 February 2012 - 05:32 PM
Wow, I was just doing a search to see what came up when I type 'Run BNT' into Google and stumbled across this! Thanks Andy (Whippet)!
Rich asked Andy to be his mentor for this project, it's going to be tough physically and mentally, and Andy knows all about those sort of challenges. His african drumming skills aren't too bad either (as we recently discovered at BNT Team building day).
Rich and I (Vickie) are so excited about this project..... we've been planning it for 15 months now, and it's amazing just how supportive people are...not just in the running world but all of the companies who are sponsoring us and/or donating stuff for the charity auction (funds go to our charity partner SANE Australia).
We welcome............
- anyone who would like to come to the Launch Party (this Saturday 25th Feb, 11am-2pm @ First Pour Espresso bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford, VIC. There will be a brunch BBQ, silent (and live) auctions, spot prizes, info on the project, live music......um, and ponies. No, I lied about the ponies, but the rest is true).
- anyone who would like to sign up to the mailing list to receive updates on the project
- anyone (yes, anyone) who would like to run a section, multiple sections, or part of a section with Rich along the route. This will be by donation to SANE Australia (i.e. $ per km)
- any questions, advice (?!), ideas, please feel free to email me runvixrun@gmail.com or Rich ultrarunnerrichard@gmail.com
The thing is, we realise just how lucky we are to be able to do this and we'd love to share the fun and adventure with as many people as possible. The beautiful thing about long distance running....if you can dream it, you can do it!
happy trails
Vickie
Rich asked Andy to be his mentor for this project, it's going to be tough physically and mentally, and Andy knows all about those sort of challenges. His african drumming skills aren't too bad either (as we recently discovered at BNT Team building day).
Rich and I (Vickie) are so excited about this project..... we've been planning it for 15 months now, and it's amazing just how supportive people are...not just in the running world but all of the companies who are sponsoring us and/or donating stuff for the charity auction (funds go to our charity partner SANE Australia).
We welcome............
- anyone who would like to come to the Launch Party (this Saturday 25th Feb, 11am-2pm @ First Pour Espresso bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford, VIC. There will be a brunch BBQ, silent (and live) auctions, spot prizes, info on the project, live music......um, and ponies. No, I lied about the ponies, but the rest is true).
- anyone who would like to sign up to the mailing list to receive updates on the project
- anyone (yes, anyone) who would like to run a section, multiple sections, or part of a section with Rich along the route. This will be by donation to SANE Australia (i.e. $ per km)
- any questions, advice (?!), ideas, please feel free to email me runvixrun@gmail.com or Rich ultrarunnerrichard@gmail.com
The thing is, we realise just how lucky we are to be able to do this and we'd love to share the fun and adventure with as many people as possible. The beautiful thing about long distance running....if you can dream it, you can do it!
happy trails
Vickie
#11
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trailrunner
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 10:03 PM
Tomorrow is the big launch. From the website:
Wow! Our Auction items have just got even bigger and better......... Grays Online have donated a massive 8-burner SS BBQ......add that to the already awesome Porsche sports watch, Rabitohs Jersey, Richmond Tigers football jersey, running coaching and massage vouchers........and heaps more! Oh, and some great giveaways! See you at the Launch party tomorrow........11am-2pm, First Pour Espresso Bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford.
If you are in the neighbourhood drop in.
Wow! Our Auction items have just got even bigger and better......... Grays Online have donated a massive 8-burner SS BBQ......add that to the already awesome Porsche sports watch, Rabitohs Jersey, Richmond Tigers football jersey, running coaching and massage vouchers........and heaps more! Oh, and some great giveaways! See you at the Launch party tomorrow........11am-2pm, First Pour Espresso Bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford.
If you are in the neighbourhood drop in.
#12
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trailrunner
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Posted 24 March 2012 - 10:11 PM
Richard starts his epic journey tomorrow from Healesville. He has John Landy firing the starting gun and a police escort out of town with an entourage to accompany him over the first few kms. The first of over 5000km!
#13
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veryCoolRunner
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Posted 26 March 2012 - 09:08 AM
oohlavix, on 20 February 2012 - 05:32 PM, said:
Wow, I was just doing a search to see what came up when I type 'Run BNT' into Google and stumbled across this! Thanks Andy (Whippet)!
Rich asked Andy to be his mentor for this project, it's going to be tough physically and mentally, and Andy knows all about those sort of challenges. His african drumming skills aren't too bad either (as we recently discovered at BNT Team building day).
Rich and I (Vickie) are so excited about this project..... we've been planning it for 15 months now, and it's amazing just how supportive people are...not just in the running world but all of the companies who are sponsoring us and/or donating stuff for the charity auction (funds go to our charity partner SANE Australia).
We welcome............
- anyone who would like to come to the Launch Party (this Saturday 25th Feb, 11am-2pm @ First Pour Espresso bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford, VIC. There will be a brunch BBQ, silent (and live) auctions, spot prizes, info on the project, live music......um, and ponies. No, I lied about the ponies, but the rest is true).
- anyone who would like to sign up to the mailing list to receive updates on the project
- anyone (yes, anyone) who would like to run a section, multiple sections, or part of a section with Rich along the route. This will be by donation to SANE Australia (i.e. $ per km)
- any questions, advice (?!), ideas, please feel free to email me runvixrun@gmail.com or Rich ultrarunnerrichard@gmail.com
The thing is, we realise just how lucky we are to be able to do this and we'd love to share the fun and adventure with as many people as possible. The beautiful thing about long distance running....if you can dream it, you can do it!
happy trails
Vickie
Rich asked Andy to be his mentor for this project, it's going to be tough physically and mentally, and Andy knows all about those sort of challenges. His african drumming skills aren't too bad either (as we recently discovered at BNT Team building day).
Rich and I (Vickie) are so excited about this project..... we've been planning it for 15 months now, and it's amazing just how supportive people are...not just in the running world but all of the companies who are sponsoring us and/or donating stuff for the charity auction (funds go to our charity partner SANE Australia).
We welcome............
- anyone who would like to come to the Launch Party (this Saturday 25th Feb, 11am-2pm @ First Pour Espresso bar, 26 Bond St, Abbotsford, VIC. There will be a brunch BBQ, silent (and live) auctions, spot prizes, info on the project, live music......um, and ponies. No, I lied about the ponies, but the rest is true).
- anyone who would like to sign up to the mailing list to receive updates on the project
- anyone (yes, anyone) who would like to run a section, multiple sections, or part of a section with Rich along the route. This will be by donation to SANE Australia (i.e. $ per km)
- any questions, advice (?!), ideas, please feel free to email me runvixrun@gmail.com or Rich ultrarunnerrichard@gmail.com
The thing is, we realise just how lucky we are to be able to do this and we'd love to share the fun and adventure with as many people as possible. The beautiful thing about long distance running....if you can dream it, you can do it!
happy trails
Vickie
I plan on joining Richard for part of the Wolgan State Forrest or Glen Alice Road, both are about 34km. The dates are the 4th and 5th May and it would be great to have a few other runners along to show some support and run part of this with Richard. Anyone interested to join me please let me know.
#14
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trailrunner
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Posted 26 March 2012 - 10:00 AM
A bunch of us ran with Richard on the first leg yesterday. 4 went the whole way, about 32km I think. He is looking really fit and moving well so if you plan to run sections with him be sure to pack your skates! Perfect weather for the start which included a climb up and around Mt StLeonard.
