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Australian 6-day Race history to be documented

Over the next two years, Ultrarunning Historian, Phil Essam is going to compile the history of the Australian 6-day race. It will be brought together in book form and released in conjunction with the 2005 Australian 6-day race.

Essam first proposed the book to the Australian 6-day Race Committee who are wrapped in the idea and believes that it will document an important part of Australian athletic history. "The precursor to the Australian 6-day race occurred when Ultra-legend, Cliff Young first made an attempt on 1000 miles at Memorial Square in Colac in the 80's. It was shortly after that when the first Westfield Run was held and the rest is history. The Australian 6-day race was born out of Cliff's attempt. The Westfield Run finished in 1991, but the 6-day race has kept going through thick and thin and engraved itself as an important part of Australian Ultra-Marathoning". It is even believed that the Australian 6-day race is the longest running multi day track race in the world.

The book will tell the story of the race, year by year, the runners that ran in each race and the funny stories that weren't seen in the public eye. It will also tell the stories behind the scenes and how different committee members have struggled at times to keep the race going when interest was waning in the race. It will also tell the story of a generation of multi-day running in Australia and the town that supported them. Essam believes that the race is starting to get stronger year by year and it can rival the famous Stawell Gift that's held in Stawell, Victoria each year and attracts 1000's of tourists to the town.

If anyone has any information about the race that they would like to share with Phil, please contact him on pessam@bigpond.net.au.

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