Banana Coast 2003
From AURA
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21st Annual Bananacoast Ultramarathon
Held 25th May 2003, Coff's Harbour to Grafton
Youth in the shape of 25 year old David Criniti prevailed in this year’s 21st running of the 85 kilometres Bananacoast Ultramarathon. Criniti has experience beyond his years with twelve other Ultra finishes to his credit but he was having his first run between Coffs Harbour and Grafton. Only one other runner making his debut completed the full journey.
The rest had covered the ground before either from Coffs to Grafton or in the reverse direction. The other debutant was 65 year old Ross Donald from Heritage Park, Moonee, who had only one other ultra to his credit, this year’s 45 kms Water World Great Ocean Run.
Criniti from North Rocks covered the course in 7.33.58 to blitz the field of more seasoned campaigners. Second place resulted in a tie between Queenslanders Peter Gibson (48 years) and last year’s winner, Geoff. Last (52 years) who clocked 8.46.37.
Next to complete the full journey was 70 year old handcyclist Barry Stewart, also from the Sunshine State. Stewart’s journey had an inauspicious start with gear failure on the ascent of Red Hill. However he recovered well, completing the 85 kms in 9.31.00.
Fourth runner to stop the clock at the Grafton Post Office was 56 year old Geoff. Hain of Ballina who completed his eleventh edition of the Bananacoast event in fine style in 9.36.00. Then came this year’s surprise packet, Ross Donald, who proved the old adage that you never know what you can do until you try. Setting out to run to Lanitza, Donald found himself travelling well enough to make the cut-off there in plenty of time so on he went, completing the course in 10.07.00. And the North Coast has another Ultra runner!
Five others stopped at the 60 kilometre mark at Lanitza. First in of those was David Casey from the Nambucca who stepped up in distance from the Water World event in great style despite missing the start by about ten minutes. Casey’s time was 6.50.00. Not far adrift of that was the indomitable Peter Wood of Coffs Harbour, followed all the way from Coffs by his training partner, Jive the wonder dog. Man and beast crossed the finish in 6.57.55, just ahead of Queenslander Lindsay Phillips (6.58.30)but well clear of race organiser, Steel Beveridge whose 60 kms took 7.29.56.
Last in at Lanitza was the super septuagenarian Stan Miskin from Victoria who walked the distance in 8.47.55, a marvellous example for all those who exercise into their eighth decade. Stan turns 78 this year. The organisers were well pleased with the increased roll-up and the fact that everyone who started got to record an Ultramarathon finish.
This was greatly helped by a beautiful autumn day but would not have been possible without great work by a dedicated group of spouses or friends who fed and watered the foot-sloggers along the way. Next year the journey will be from Grafton, either all the way to Coffs or the "short" ultra to Nana Glen (58kms).
Steel Beveridge
