Sawtell Fun Run race report

The Sawtell Fun Run is run on New Year’s morning. It was well organised by the Sawtell Toormina Little Athletic Club. Thanks to all those volunteers who made the race so enjoyable.

A little bit of background. I competed in this race three years ago. I finished in 24 minutes 41. Then my knee cap went off track for three years.

The Race.

The race started in First Avenue Swatell outside the RSL club. I warmed up along the avenue. The temperature was quite warm and humid even for 9:00 am in the morning. I was worried about my lack of race fitness, having not raced a fast 5km since October last year.

I sprinted along the Avenue and was not far behind the leaders. A young gun runner was well out in front and another fit older runner was close behind. These two would battle out 1st and second. I went conservatively up the hill along first Avenue. People started to go past me up the hill including the first lady runner.

First kilometre 4:01

I overtook several of the younger runners who had gone out too fast. Some experienced runners went past me as well. A pack of runners had developed but I couldn’t keep up with them. I tried to conserve some energy because there was some tough parts of the course ahead.

I turned left into 18th avenue, then downhill and right into 16th avenue. This is a long hot stretch.

Second kilometre. 3:53. Wow! happy with that sub 4 minute km!

At this stage I just concentrated on rolling it out. It was HOT. Some kind neighbours sprayed water on me with a hose. I was running alone, and I could hear runners coming up behind me.

Third kilometre 4:19.

OK slowing down, I turn right back onto First avenue, back into town past the Sawtell Shops. Some people where calling out my name. Could’ve been people from work, I was too puffed to look.

The course went out of town, crossed a bridge and right into Bayldon Road. Was trying to save energy thinking of the hill at the end of Bayldon Road. It is a killer.

Fourth kilometre 4:36

Fifth kilometre 4:54 No way the Garmin has it wrong I reckon, I’m not going that SLOW.

In the finishing stretch now, downhill into an area shaded by trees. Into the gorunds of the Caravan Park. There is a bald headed fellow with an earing who I am gaining on. I see the Sawtell grassy reserve and the finish line but I am spent and can’t catch the guy ahead.

I finish the 5.5km in 22:52. One minute 50 ahead of my time three years ago. Equivalent to a 20:47 5km. Sub 20 minutes is around the corner.

I finish 20th out of 148 finishers. I finished 9th out of 33 in the over 35 age group. That group was strong.

All in all a satisfying run. I did slow down from kilometres 4 and 5. This could be due to my lack of race fitness.

A good start to 2009.

My running dream continues, for which I give thanks.

Maybe my Mum is watching down from heaven and helping to make this dream come true.

Sawtell Fun Run Course Description

Somebody reached this site looking for the Sawtell Fun Run Path.

The Race starts at 9:00am outside the Sawtell RSL in First Avenue. Then it heads South along First Avenue past the shops. It goes along to the interestion of First Avenue with  the Intersection with Second Avenue.

The course loops back to the other side of First Avenue and heads north. At about one kilometre it goes up a nasty hill for a couple of hundred metres. At the crest the course continues slightly down hill until it turns left into 18th Avenue.

The course is now pretty much flat and easy, although if you’ve gone too fast up that first hill you might be puffing hard. The next turn is into 16th Avenue there is a long stretch here, almost to the end of 16th Avenue. The n turn left into Boronia Street.  Then left again into May Street.

The course then turns right along Eleventh Avenue. There are a few undulations at this point that seem bigger than they are on tired legs. When the road turns back into First Avenue and head South, you have covered about three kilometres. The course goes all the way back along First Avenue, past the shops, then over the bridge, then right into Bayldon Road.

This is a tough part of the course with the morning sun starting to beat down and the humidity really taking its toll. The really nasty part is the hill at the end of Bayldon Road. Many who have run the Sawtell Fun Run will tell you it is a killer.

You get to the top of the hill, wonder why you are doing this painful thing to yourself called a fun run, cross Lyons Road, which is closed to traffic and head down the road that leads to the Caravan Park. This part of the course should be marked out with a white arrow and stationed with helpfull race volunteers showing the way to finish the misery.

The good news is that this section is mostly downhill and is sheltered by trees. You might even hear a Whipbird or Lewins Honeyeater calling. Not that you give a tinkers cuss about nature at this point, with your lungs wheezing, your ears blocked and a stitch grabbing at your side.

The course turns right towards an open gate that goes into the caravan park. There should be a course marshall to help here. It goes past Cabins and tents. Follow the white arrow on the path.

Inside the Caravan Park it is second right then downhill towards the reserve. Turn right and you will see the finish line await. Well done, you have finished, the pain is over, now you can collapse on the grass under a shady tree and enjoy the runner’s high.

Someone also searched for Gymea Lily Kings Park. Gymea Lily is endemic to Sydney sandstone and a disjunct area of sandstone  near Glenreagh on the NSW north coast. The Gymea Lily does not occur in Kings Park. Agave americana might be the only plant that could confused with the Gymea Lily