Autumn has become a very busy time on the Australian Marathon racing scene. After a brief break since the Capital Punishment marathon in Canberra in March, committed marathon racers may have lined up for the Wombat 100, then XCM National Champs next weekend, possibly the Tathra Enduro at the end of April, and the Convict 100 the next weekend. That is a lot of travel, and a lot of racing.
The 2013 Wombat 100 was run in perfect conditions. Having not been to the race before, I was stunned by how perfect Cammeray Waters is as the race venue. Camping or staying here is ideal. There are dinner and breakfast options on site, it’s an easy drive from Melbourne (or the airport for Naomi Hansen and I) plus the setting on the lake is a great start and finish area. With a short ride to Woodend for lunch on Saturday with Naomi, and some course riding on the way back – we were blown away by the quality of the trails. There is a thorough network of trails in there – all cross country based and an absolute blast to ride fast.
For Victoria, the morning wasn’t as cold as it could have been. But many racers bemoaned the 7am start time. Surely super early start times favoured by Australian race promoters could be relaxed a little? It was a foggy start, and the condensation in the air meant most riders couldn’t use their eyewear – something that would have eased with even a half hour later start time. There were a lot of itchy eyes post race.
The Elite men and women started together, and everyone’s race was on gun time. It was a highly relaxed start chute, but when the gun went it was Subaru-MarathonMTB Racer Roeland Suys who took to the front. We hit the dusty double track, and soon enough Ben Mather was off the front, after promising Rowena Fry that he would just take it easy at the start. The double track looped around the property, and then lead onto a long low grade climb into the forest. A split went, right about where my back wheel was. There’s no anxiety quite like knowing you’re the weakest in the bunch.
As the bunch hit another fire road, Jenny Fay (Swell-Specialized) managed to bridge across – which is a notable effort! Within a few minutes we turned onto some bumpy Kowen-esque single track. Ed McDonald flatted just beforehand, somehow splitting a valve. Still at the back, I yo-yoed around and was generally useless as I watched the field spread out in front. I was on the wheel of Jason English, with Jenny Fay right behind. Soon enough I was alone and ended up catching Roeland.
Roeland shares tales with Paris Basson of Magellan
Up ahead the race stayed together longer, and gradually thinned out. Ben Mather pulled out ill before the 30km mark, and Ash Hayat did the same before halfway.
And then Jason English bridged across.
English moved to the front and set a pace that was likened to that of a motor pacing motorbike by race winner Adrian Jackson. Through all the single track and fire trail he kept the pace high, and thinned out the field to just English, Jackson, Andrew Blair, Andy Fellows and a few others.
Coming back towards the property, Jackson attacked hard and forced a gap on English. But he returned. Coming into the property, Jackson attacked again and managed to hold the gap for the win. English crossed for second, and Andrew Blair came in third.
Men’s podium at the Wombat 100
In the women’s race, Peta Mullens was victorious. Jenny fay broke a cleat and retired, and Subaru-MarathonMTB racer Naomi Hansen was rendered blind with the condensation in her prescription eyewear. Tory Thomas ended up in a close second, with Mel Ansett further back for 3rd. Rowena Fry had an unfortunate double puncture, always a problem with only one tube and one CO2! Naomi Hansen will have a full women’s race report online shortly.
Women’s podium at the Wombat 100
Full results will be on the Max Adventure website shortly.
We have a race photo album on our Facebook page, feel free to share the photos with your friends.