Gold Coast 100km

MS-EXCEL

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Comments from runners/spectators here.

Some photos are here.

Official website is at www.goldcoast100.com.

As race date approached the weather had been cloudy, wet and generally unsettled. There was some concern that the conditions on race-day might be wet and windy. However, the skies started clearing two days before the race and in the gloom at 4:00 am on race day it was evident that the conditions would be fine and clear.

This race was established in 2003. That year there were 21 starters and 11 finishers. The top end was excellent with 3 runners breaking 8 hours but only another 2 going sub 10. In 2004 there were also 21 starters, with 13 finishers. However the depth was not so good with only two bettering 8 hours and only a further two going under 10 hours.

With the World Challenge in 2005 being held only 3 weeks before race date and the nation's top runners therefore not available, it was envisaged that the performances may not reach those of the previous two years. However, entries started coming in some four weeks before race date and it became obvious that there was going to be increased interest in the event. There had been six nominees for the team for the 2005 World Challenge with only three being selected. Two of the remaining three decided to contest the race and establish their credentials for selection next year.

We were not disappointed as a great battle took place between Darren Benson, the pre race favorite and Simon Phillips. Darren won in a very creditable 7:47:17 at his first attempt over the distance and Simon faded a little in the latter stages of the race, still managing to take out second place in 8:12:18. Chris Hills, a 19 year-older from Tasmania, managed to keep pace with the leaders for 36 km but then started to fade. He was overtaken by Kelvin Marshall at 64 kms and then Brett Worley at 67 km but held on gamely to finish 5th in 9:02:04 at his first attempt over the distance. A great battle ensued between Brett and Kelvin for third place, which was eventually taken out by Brett in 8:42:58 with Kelvin on 8:45:38. Kelvin can be well pleased with his time as it was a 1 hour 15 min improvement on his performance of 2004.

The interesting thing is that there 30 starters and 23 finishers, of whom 11 got in under 10 hours. The full stats are as follows:-

Year	2003	2004	2005
Starters	21	21	30
Finishers	11	13	23
Under 8 hours	3	2	1
Under 10 hours	5	3	11

Overall, the event was successful with 11 relay teams adding a bit of flavor. The relays started at 9 am rather than at 7 am in previous years. This meant that the teams were still running right up to cutoff in the last hour and kept more people there for prize-giving.

A larger turnout and further improvement is expected next year as the top runners will be looking to post solid performances to qualify for the Australian team to contest the Worlds on 8 October in Korea. The date of the event for next year will be 15 July 2006.

Ian Cornelius
Race Organiser
20 July 2005