Adventure 5/21 Kilcunda Coastal Run

 Welcome to an actual Running event. 
First one of 2021

Event 

Running Wild Kilcunda Half Marathon,17 km and 8 KM fun run. 7th Feb 2021

We have been looking forward to this event having had done so many recons, including the visit the day before.

The Day Before

A few changes had taken place. Stay the night before, to save the 3 hour drive. We swapped positions, Ian to Beach. Velta on trail. We walked the trail again. Watching for Vistas and Light. Ian to try his zoom lens on the crop camera. 

We volunteered to take the Race Director to the Punchbowl road end of the trail as he needed to mark the course. We decided to check out this end for options. Including taking Photos at the top of the big hill. 

    We walked out and the weather was great, Sun shining and a bit of humidity. As we stood at the top of the Big hill, we decided that if Ian came here after the event started and captured the front runners up to 0800 and then wandered down to the beach and capture runners along the way, could be good. Weather dependent! So it was decided. Early to bed, ready for a big day.

Day of the event.

    Awoke at 0500. We helped set up the start/finish line until 0630. Drove to drop Velta off and Ian proceed to Punchbowl. Velta to take all the 8 km runners and then walk back and capture those who come past. Ian walk in 2.5 km and be in place at 0730 with 10 minutes to spare, check settings and admire the weather. Oh the weather. Rain, Wind, dark, drizzle and sea mist. Perfect!!! plus the swell was up on the sea. We get a chance to try out our new jackets.

At the Hill trying to get great shots (under the current weather conditions) nearly got blown over, but it was working out.

After 30 mins, Ian decided to move towards the beach capturing different shots at unusual places. Made it to the beach and the runners just Congo lined along. Captured heaps of runners under wet, windy and cool conditions. Smiles on most faces. 

Moved to the headland between the two beaches. The tide was coming in and had to time it right, not all runners got this right.. 

No Shelter to be found so made do with the conditions and capturing the watered down runners. Hint for aspiring photographers, Have a spare card and Battery in your pocket. Yep filled a card, luckily I had a card ready. Battery went close to empty and took advantage of a very small window of opportunity to change it. The other small disadvantage of being out on course for a long time is,,,, your bladder gets full. Finding a great spot to get long beach photos is great with almost 300 runners, BUT there is not much time to empty ones bladder...patience......... focus. 

Waiting for the sweep.... 

We as photographers love the runners in full stride or star jumps (a few this time), but seeing the Sweep means that we are free to make our way back to our start point, and visit a toilet.. One of the last runners said that there was only two more runners behind her, thanks. Velta sent a message to Ian as she had finished the 8 km runners and made her way back to the finish line, slowly. 

Ian moved back to capture the last two runners on the trail and got them on the entrance to the beach, really happy people. 

Still no Sweep... moved to a spot to get the Sweep on The Hill.. waited 10 minutes. No Sweep.. moved along past the hill...no Sweep. Hope she is OK... got further down the hill found the Sweep. She had taken the scenic trip upon the return. Happy she was OK. 

Ian made it back to the car and headed back to the finish line. A Tad tired but happy the plan had worked. We helped with the disassembly of the Finish line, Lunch was put on by the Race Director. PLUS it was a chance to celebrate 60th birthday for Duncan. 

Lunch complete. Head home. Had to have a nap on the way.

Home, unpack car, start processing photos, feed the cats and chickens and clean cameras.

Processing. 

This involves downloading all the photos, remove the not so good ones, fixing the good ones and find the best ones for the Momento Photos. This takes time. Two computers running two of us processing. Once this is complete, uploading to GeoSnapShot. Ian had to work the next day so was off to bed by 10 pm. We finished at 0600 on the Tuesday after the Sunday event. We took over 3000 photos on the day but not all those are seen.

Overall the event went well, we are a flexible team of photographers and can adjust as needed. The weather threw us challenge that we accepted. The best way for us to know if it was really good is sales. This is how we measure our craft by the way we capture all the runners in a great scenic location and they show their appreciation.

See the photo results:

https://geosnapshot.com/e/kilcunda-half-marathon-and-16-km-fun-run

The Jackets went very well. Kept out the wind, rain and cold.

We now start to think about the next Event. Hallora Marathon next weekend. 250 plus people in the event. 

See you out there or on here. Ian and Velta

The Eventurers

4/21 Adventure

 Adventure of The Eventurers 

Number 4

The Warburton Trail Run Festival is a three day celebration of all things trail and mountain lifestyle from Saturday, 6 March to Monday, 8 March 2021.

The festival features a range of trail runs from 4.5km through to 50km and includes a feature film screening, a trail seminar, live music and the Lilo Dash 'n Derby, where trail running meets watersports.

The event is in the Warburton Valley, only an hour and a half from Melbourne's CBD, and is centered on the quaint valley township of Warburton with all its quality cafes and accommodation making it the perfect long running weekend getaway for all the family.

Organiser Tour de trails

Distances/Events Saturday, Sunday and Monday

4.5K

25K

50K

4.5K

14K

22K

9K at night

3K Lilo Dash 'n Derby

We have attended this great event a few times and this experience helps but we have to ensure we are getting as many of the runners as possible.

Logistics plays a great part of achieving this. 

On the Saturday there is 5 different runs starting at different times. To achieve the best results, timing and movement have to be assessed and tested. We have taken great shots at the foot bridge at High Lead and like this spot.

We needed to explore if there are any other possible great spots from the High Lead car park.

So off we went for a look. We made our way along the trail and soon realised that we were the first people on the track that day.

Many spiders had set traps along the course. but beauty comes at a cost and the scenic trail has much to show.

As we moved along the trail we were looking for light and open areas to get great photos. These were hard to find as the trail goes in a northerly direction and the forest is thick.





We climbed the first hill and rested at a large fallen log. We sat here had a snack and discussed what we had seen so far. 

The one spot we had thought might be good was not! Runners are usually running and to attempt to capture in a small light filled spot was making the mission hard. Add to this the other problem of timing. 
To enable us to get to the start/finish line for the 4.5km runners how long does it take to drive there from High Lead? So if we walk in too far this limit is the amount of time to get photos at high lead. or longer.

This will not work. So the foot bridge photos of the 50km runners it is. Velta to be dropped off early at the Redwood Forest to capture awesome photos with the cello player and walk back along the aqueduct. 
Ian to leave in time to get back for the finish of the 4.5km runners, approx 35 min drive. 
this was ll decided along the trail while capturing more small and interesting parts of the trail.





This adventure started in the morning as we were both awake early and discussed what to do today. 2 hour drive explore and decide on the plan for Warburton. We have already booked our accommodation in the centre of Warburton to allow easier access to all events.

Now a plan is formed. Water at the finish line is a necessary item and when Velta gets back to the finish line a break for us(one at a time) is required. 

So there is it. Mission to capture as many runners as possible and create memories is now planned out. 

See you there!

Ian and Velta

The EVENTurers

number 3 Adventure of The Eventurers

 

Welcome to Adventure Number 3 of 2021

Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut is a most spectacular 100km trek/run that takes runners on a stunning journey through Victoria's high Country. This challenge is raising money and awareness for autism. 

The Archie is a 50km starts the day after its big brother, the Oscars 100 Hut 2 Hut Challenge.

Competitors will cover just over 50km and 2900m of elevation as they journey through the spectacular Victorian Alps. Taking off at dawn, they will have just on 15 hours to complete the course, which opens the event up to runners, trekker and hikers alike.

Supporting Oscars100, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families living with autism, The Archie is sure to become an iconic race.

The EVENTurers have been involved a few times with this event and last year was a great challenge for us.

This year we want to add to the challenge and capture the ruggedness and also ensure we make the best effort to cover both events and capture every runner.

After a long communication with Chris Ord, we decided to take this to the next level and see what it takes to capture most of the Oscar runners along the Cross-cut saw.

Having never actually been on this section of the course and not understanding what the ground cover is like and timing to get to locations a Recon was in order.
2.5 hour drive to Mt Howitt Car park. 

5 km hike into Gantner Hut. The Vallejo Gantner Hut is located at Macalister Springs near Mount Howitt and the Crosscut Saw. The construction commenced in late 1968. The hut was built as a memorial following the death of a young man named Vallejo Gantner. 

Plus a great "Loo with a view"

Take toilet paper

What do we take on a recon?

Good question...

As this is a day walk, we take our smaller backpacks in which contain:

water, food, first aid kit, PLB, snake bite kit, camera, toilet paper, hand cleaner, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Also we have a hat and/or buff, walking pole. Spectacles, and mobile phone (spare camera). Clothing, quick dry pants, Merino blend T-shirt and quick dry long sleeve shirt, gaters and Merrell shoes.

As we leave Gantner hut, the real adventure starts as this is new territory for us. We past the Springs and make a mental note that that is clean, clear, cool water.

The hike out along the spur it is technical and well marked, Ian will have to do this in the dark. Why? If we want to capture the early risers, then might as well capture the sunrise on this iconic ridge line. Time lapse video might be excellent. We meet two other hikers along the trail, one whose name was Tim from our home town (Boisdale), small world. Tim had been to the Cobblers and said it was his first time in 5 attempts he has seen the whole area clearly. 

We stop at many places along this stretch and take in the magnificent views

The Viking

Ian thinks he has found his equivalent favourite spot to Mt Feathertop and that's a big call as he adores Feathertop. Kestrels are flying, the magic vista that he could sit there all day and take it all but is reminded , WE HAVE A MISSION...We move on to the T intersection of the Howitt walking track and Australian Alpine Walking Track. Possible camp site...

We move out onto the high plains and nature has put on a display of flowers and insects.

We start selecting locations to capture runners in action with an excellent vista.

These shots are analyzed upon our return home to see if the camera lens chosen will suit our aim. We ask if the clarity of the shot is "wall worthy" and if we are happy with the location. Several locations were chosen with many more options still to be sourced, but time is our enemy. 

So lunch was had. Amazing great elfresco location.

We decide that there is more locations to be seen. Ian will be walking in from Mt Speculation on the Friday hoping to capture the faster runners who will be along the ridge. Aim is to photograph as many of the trail-runners before cut off times. Then Ian to decide ; make his way to Gantner Hut or camp at the T Intersection just off the Cross-Cut Saw.

We make our way back as the wind picks up, otherwise the weather has been perfect for the hike.

We make it back and take full advantage of the Spring. So cool and refreshing. The majestic toilet is visited to find no loo paper...we always carry extra paper. Left some toilet paper for the next lucky person.

5km of walking to go to get back to the ute. this is longer than we remember and shade was used to ensure we kept cool. Took our time and finally we arrive back at the ute. Change of clothes for Ian and a reward drink, raspberry lemonade, and off we go in 4WD down the mountains to home. Pizza for dinner. We are a tad tired but a good tired.

We analyze the photos and decided on a few changes to equipment. We also look at what food Ian will have to take for the adventure. We have sourced a new Australian food bar company and will try them out over this period. Watch this space...

A plan is now formulated: Friday morning, Velta and Ian at the start of the Oscars Hut 2 hut. Ian drive to Mt Speculation. Make his way along the Crosscut Saw and capture runners on the way. As there is a cut off for runners (and Ian can communicate to race HQ) Ian will move to Gantner Hut for the night. Next morning, early, arise and make his way to the Crosscut again to capture the sunrise and all the runners/walkers and make his way back to Mt Speculation and the Ute. Drive to King Hut and capture the night life around the campfire. Next morning up early and go to Craigs hut for a while and then join Velta at Mt Buller to capture the finish of peoples grand adventure. 

Velta to capture Morning of Oscars and Start of Archie. Mt Buller and finish line for both. 

Sunday night sleep!!!! drive back home 5 hours and then start the developing of the photos. (And Loving IT).

All the recons for next month are now complete. Let the Runs begin!

As Dr Suess said. “Sometimes you’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”. 

Lets capture some memories together.

Ian and Velta 

The EVENTurers