5.57am and the clubhouse was transformed into the finish line for the World Marathon Challenge, 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. 32 competitors, chartered jet, 32 runners from 13 countries, the Sydney Marathon was 13 laps (Manly to Queenscliff) from 1am this morning!!
Our congratulations go to all competitors in this Herculean feat!!!.
Here is BethAnn Telford, USA 4 hr. 35 min. 17 secs.
and Silvana Camello, Chile 4. 37. 10
Today’s Sydney Marathon results.
7 marathons
1. Union Glacier, Antarctica, 2. Punta Arenas, Chile, 3. Miami, USA
4. Madrid, Spain, 5. Marrakech, Morocco, 6. Dubai, UAE
7. Sydney, Australia
6.05 – Some of my early crew swimming buddies, Ali, Jo, Bianca & Tricia, alas I’m still out of the water (inner ear infection).
6.16am and I caught Clair and her 5.30 crew on their 2nd visit to Shelly.
6.19am – Roger “Flippers” Harvey led the 6am crew into Shelly.
BTW congratulations to everyone who completed the Big Swim (Palm to Whale) yesterday. Podiums that I know of included our Roger in the “Fins” category and Pirate Alex who got Silver in the 1 Km as a warm-up for the 2.8km Big Swim.
6.21 – 6am crew @Shelly minus Bianca who returned early with Bluey stings. Tricia (2nd right) walked home due to Bluey stings.
6.27am and I had the pleasure of chatting with our Nat (fellow blogger) and sons Logan and Carter who swam Shelly to Fairy Bower Beach before first day of school 2017.
6.46 – the Drinks 6.30 Express waved to me before heading off from Shelly into the morning mist.
7.21am and Big Jim waved to me with as the 7am swimmers chatted at Shelly.
Henrietta and friend at Shelly.
7.49 I cycled back to headquarters where Ian asked me to let you know that the B&B calendars were selling for a reduced price of only $5.
Pauline also reported that yesterdays stall of lost B&B property raised $400+ for the Heart Research Australia’s “I Love Life” campaign.
By 7.48 the mist finally revealed a sunny day for Millie who breakfasted with mum and dad on the wall.
and allowed many to enjoy coffee at the sunny benches.
Have a great week ahead
Simon
(gotta luv the morning light)
Bottom of the blog
Swimmers 180+, newbies 3, water temp 22.5 degrees, water clarity near perfect.
Special dates
- February 5th– Cole Classic Day will be very busy but we expect to start from Manly but will need to avoid doubles into Shelly.
- Manly LSC have asked forvolunteers from B&B to assist on the Cole Classic swim. They are looking for help from individuals or groups who can assist with things like the BBQ, merchandising, booking people in, helping with storage of clothing etc. If you would like to help with or without friends please send an email to volunteer@manlylsc.com or talk to management and we can point you in the right direction. Please help if you can as they appreciated the assistance given last year and we would like to support the club.
Being a volunteer is bound to make you happy. DO IT!
LAST 10KM swim of the season – Saturday 11th February 2017.
Pacific Jules Swim coach
Join Pacific Jules coach Sarah Anne for an hour in the ocean and learn to swim with less fight and more speed! This series of workshops will teach you key essential skills ensuring your stroke is efficient, powerful, fluid, and fast!
- Propulsion and Power – Saturday 11 March 9-10am
There are some key areas for power in your stroke, but they may not be where you think! Many swimmers use their arms and legs incorrectly when swimming, chewing up energy and causing unnecessary splash and resistance. Swimming should be a whole body experience, timing is everything, and you need to ensure you are working with the water and not against it. The H2O will always win!
- Breath Easy- Saturday 6 May 9-10am
One of the most common issues we here from swimmers is around breathing. But, there are some key elements to your body alignment, position, and breath management that need to be in place before you even think about turning your head towards the air. Join us for an hour in the water where we focus purely on the essentials skills for breathing with more ease, and flow.
- Open Water Specifics – Saturday 8 July 9-10am
This is a high energy session for the end of our series! Adapting your stroke for open water is essential if you want to swim in the ocean, or compete in swimming events. Learn some key changes that need to be in place, how to sight, how to enter and exit the water, buoy turns, and how to conserve energy in the swim by utilising those around you!
What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!
Cost = $25 per workshop
Limited to just 10 people so please book in early to avoid disappointment.
Please email Sarah Anne directly to book on info@pacificjules.com.au or call 0420 923 067 for more info.
New B&B Budgy Smugglers – HERE NOW
The new B&B Budgy Smugglers are now available on line from the Budgy Smuggler website. Remember, part of the profit from the sale of our swimwear range goes to the Royal Far West. Here’s where to go to order them:
Mens: http://budgysmuggler.com.au/mens-swimwear/bold-and-beautiful.html
Womens Bottoms: http://budgysmuggler.com.au/womens-swimwear/bold-and-beautiful-bottoms.html
Womens Sports Tops: http://budgysmuggler.com.au/womens-swimwear/bold-and-beautiful-sports-top.html
Womens one-piece swimmers will be available in January.
Budgy Smuggler creates 100% Australian made swimwear.
Available for Men, Women and Kids – it’s the perfect stocking filler this Christmas!
Shop at: www.budgysmuggler.com.au
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
15 comments
Rob
January 30, 2017 at 11:27 am
Nice blog Simon!
Elizabeth Stewart
January 30, 2017 at 11:33 am
wow. that is amazing. I am glad you were there to catch that marathon ending! I had no idea. I wonder if they then had a dip. sad to hear about the blue bottle stings. Beautiful shots of those very excellent early swimmers. The real deal
Lainey Loo
January 30, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Fantastic blog Simon! Those marathon runners were incredible. Us Manly Beach running Club runners enjoyed chatting to them after we’d one our 7km run, 1 continent, 1 day 😉
Edwina
January 30, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Wonderful runners and swimmers. Hope your inner ear recovers soon. Also hope the wind changes by Thursday when I swim next 😜
Paul
January 30, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Only 4 of us of up for the double from the 7am group this morning.
Alas, no one else keen for the triple, so I was the triple group……that is until the final return from Shelly where I met our resident turtle. We swam languidly across the bay together for perhaps 8 minutes, with her periodically surfacing to take a breath.
Such a sublimely pleasant reward for pushing out the extra lap.
Paul
January 30, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Had an interesting chat to the 7/7/7 marathons organiser after my swim. The logistics (and cost) is staggering.
They use a private jet for much of it, complete with business class seats which flatten out to allow runners to have a (reasonably) decent sleep.
Not sure it’s my cup of tea….spend $70k, travel the world, see relatively little of it. 🙁
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Rob
Glad you enjoyed it.
Simon F Cowell
Mobile – +61404805413
Sent from my iPhone
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Thanks wish I was back in the water
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Go Lainey!!
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Thanks so do I.
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Wow Paul what a treat.
Simon Cowell
January 30, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Yes Paul incredible logistics
Paul
January 30, 2017 at 3:29 pm
And don’t be fooled by the time of 4:06 next to race winner Mike Wardian’s name. That can only be time of day, not a 4 hour marathon.
Going into Sydney, Mike was averaging 2:46 for the previous 6 marathons, including an impressive 2:54 in the snow in Antarctica.
That’s some serious running.
Inge
January 30, 2017 at 9:02 pm
I still can’t get over those 7 day 7 continent marathoners Simon. Like Roger Federer they defy logic, age and one’s nemesis – the monkey on your shoulder- who says it can’t be done.
Jenny Holmes
January 30, 2017 at 9:38 pm
Wish I could say I’d lost my Speedo goggles when tumbled dramatically by a surprising little wave by the rocks… I left them under the bench in the female change rooms… Anyone see them and hand them in? I’ll check on Thursday when I next duck down for a splash.