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| TOUGH COMPETITORS: Members
of the combined Army-Navy team that finished 12th in Six Foot
Track Marathon in the Blue Mountains. |
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A composite Army-Navy team finished a credible 12th in their debut at
the 24th annual Six Foot Track Marathon recently.
What has been described as “the toughest marathon in Australia, if
not the world” is held each March at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
of NSW.
In this, the premier trail marathon in Australia, competitors run along
the Six Foot Track, a bridle trail originally cut in 1884. It runs from
the historic “Marked Tree” at Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves,
a gruelling 45km.
First home for the ADF team was Navy’s LEUT Jeff Rayner in 4hrs and
38min, followed by PTE Richard Johnston in 4:43min.
Fresh from six weeks out bush in Canungra, Capt Ralph Schweizer (Army)
overcame a lack of preparation to finish in 4:52min.
Notable inclusions in the ADF team were father and daughter-in-law MAJGEN
Paul Irving and Capt Alicia Irving. MAJGEN Irving sets an example to all
ADF members with a daily exercise regime and this showed in a credible
finishing time of 5:28.
Other team members included CHAP Stan Fetting, MAJ Darren Kaehne (Army)
and Mr Scott Thompson [Defence civilian].
The event has attracted much acclaim for its toughness, stunning scenery,
challenging conditions and the great camaraderie it produces. The field
of local, national and international entrants includes contestants from
Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, England and the USA.
The first 1.7km consists of a vertical descent of more than 200m down
stairs until the track broadens in the Megalong Valley to about 2m (six
feet) across in parts.
The ADF representation looks set to grow in 2008.
- Check the Defence Athletics Club website for more details: www.coolrunning.com.au/adf
and register you interest by e-mail to stan.fetting@defence.gov.au
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