I have received this terrific run-down on this weekends Rooftop Run – Bogong to Hotham from Andy Hewat Will this be the year? Will someone finally crack the course record? One of Australia’s longest standing race records, held ultra legend, Andy Kromar since 1996, could be under pressure with a stellar field set to take on this years Rooftop Run. Race sponsors, Hoka One One have incentivised the chase for the record by adding a cash bonus to the prize pool for the winning male and female if they can beat Kromar’s 1996 time of 6:41:02 or Beth Cardelli’s 8:09:47 from 2014. Last year Stu Gibson ran a flawless race and finished only 3 minutes outside the course record. Rest assured, he will leave nothing in the tank this year in an all-out bid to etch his name in the history books. Finishing in second place last year, Blake Hose became only the fourth runner in 28 years to go under 7 hours. Blake is coming back even stronger this year and now familiar with the course, it could be a case of the apprentice surpassing the master if he hits his straps. Throw into this mix New Zealand’s premier mountain runner, Vajin Armstrong and we really have a race. A former winner of the Kepler Challenge, Armstrong has the pedigree to upset the aussies and take the trophy across the ditch. Besides these obvious standouts, you could throw a blanket over half a dozen other runners who could all take out the win on any given day. Mick Donges loves the mountains and if he has any form is always hard to beat. David Overend and David Wilson have runs on the board that can’t be overlooked. Throw in several top finishers from races like TNF100 and Six Foot Track with Jono O’Loughlin, Rob Walter, Robbie Neill and Armadeus Gladbach and the depth is impressive. Veterans Damon Goerke and Andy Lee are always in the mix and keeping the young guys honest. In the women’s race it is hard to go past reigning champion Beth Cardelli but if she falters then Gill Fowler is always red hot for a win. Similar to the men’s, the depth of talent makes picking the podium a challenge with runners like Kathy Macmillan, Jenny Boocock, Natalie Wallace, Julie Quinn, and Izzy Bespalov all in with a chance. Debutant, Lucy Bartholomew has shown some great form of late and Sara Jane Uden is stepping up with real potential. Sonia McDermott and Susan Keith have demonstrated their strength in tough races like Buffalo and GNW and could definitely stamp their name on this race. Regardless of who wins, all runners who enter Bogong to Hotham, experience one of Australia’s toughest mountain runs. It is not just the terrain, the steep ascents and massive descents, but also the fickle alpine weather that can test the metal of even the most experienced runner. It is this challenge that has seen the Rooftop Run hold its place as one of the premier trail races on the calendar over three decades and still continue to draw the best back to Mt Beauty every January to toe the line. More information on the AURA website: aura.asn.au/BogongToHotham.html
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 02:02:57 +0000
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