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1996 Brisbane Water Bush Bash

by Jim Screen

3.30am comes early for those of us who only know it as a time long ago when we used to arrive home. To not be able to sleep because you know you have to get up at 3.30am adds insult to injury. But a 6.am start at the Gosford Sailing Club also comes early so stop moaning and get on with it.

The organisers are friendly and helpful, Striders green and white is prevalent, its cold and looks like it could rain. Someone asks if Wendy Downes has retired because she hasn't come up to defend her title. Mike Ward is telling me "porkies". " Its easier than the Six Foot Track" he says. "Much easier ........... in fact its so easy you will finish in 5 hours." (In fact, I was finished in about three and a half hours and that was with two hours still to go). He goes on. "There is a few hills and a bit of a hard one near Erina but otherwise its OK." Mike's memory must have been down at Brindabella because I now know of at least 6 monstrous hills in the area where he said there was one. Of course, he overlooked to make any mention of the other huge hills in the 47 kms between Gosford and Gosford.

The race started pretty well on time and as usual we were soon running up hill. The Kariong Hill ; cars and runners competing for a share of the space. A quick drink at the top and we plunge off to the south along a fire trail into the Brisbane Water National Park. Dawn is coming up on our left.( No...the sun ...: not Dawn Tiller, she had a sore knee and took the day off ). Great views but we run across the edge of the escarpment up and down every gully invented .( The locals have been restless here with earthen messages which seem to say "On, On ") Down a nasty little track and soon into Woy Woy. Good level running along the water's edge; what a nice place. I'm running with Jackie Hill eventual winner of the female person section and a 72 year old bloke called Jack. Jackie clears off into the distance but the 72 year old sticks with me. More drinks ,something to eat and then off over the Rip Bridge to find some more hills in the Bouddi National Park. Through some very nice bush, good under foot, pleasant company. Trudy who is to be the second female home has caught up with us but soon tires of our company and bounds away. Jack and I try to keep pace but there is no way. The minds are willing but the bodies weak.

At Kincumber, Sue Hill catches up looking fresh and relaxed. My companion doesn't want to be passed by another lady so off we go into the Kincumber Mountain Reserve.( That's MOUNTAIN RESERVE, Mike). Along the top, more views and down to a challenging crossing of the Terrigal Drive. Sue Hill catches up again but this time she doesn't slow down or show any kindness. Up the vertical climb (That's VERTICAL CLIMB, Mike) to Erina Trig this time with Sue disappearing into the distance.

The morning has warmed up, we are nearly home, the views are great but the track is rough and finds all of the uphill grades. We pass a seated statue looking wistfully at where its right hand used to be and finally we stop going up and start the descent towards Gosford. Past another statue (intact) and at last we really head down to the finish.

Jack is tired, I am tired but all is well with the world. No blisters or visible injuries. Eventually we cross the finish line; we have completed the circumnavigation of Brisbane Water. For a change I see Striders standing around all showered and clean. Usually when I finish the Striders have long gone. This time Mike Burton has won and Steve Urwin has come third.(Kevin Dean, Terrigal Trotters came second). They have to wait around for the presentations which are held in the convivial atmosphere of the Gosford Sailing Club.

Greg Love and his volunteers from the Gosford Hash House Harriers and the Terrigal Trotters have put on a first class event. Plenty of drinks, only one section to get lost in ( will be fixed in '96) and nice medals and certificates for finishing. A very pleasant way to spend Saturday morning.