The Bloody Long Walk/ Run

While some of you might have been at the Fitness & Health Expo in Sydney meeting Commando Steve and checking out the latest Garmins others were participating in the Sydney Rides Festival. Well, we didnt do either, we ran from Palm Beach to Manly, the most beautiful way to see the Norther Beaches in all their glory. Great weather for running as well with a slight Southerly. Not great if you wanted a tan.

Thanks to AMDF (The Australian Mitochondrial Disase Foundation) for putting this on and to all who participated and raised over $506,000 for Mito research. Well done to the many teams who walked for a cause. Lovely day out and one I will not forget soon. 

Our tips and views for the day:

• Getting the shuttle from the CBD or Manly to Palm Beach, great spirit and an easy way to get there
• Get there in good time (bus), very unorganised and ours left at 6:10 not 6:20. No idea if more came or not. Was also full, had to stand.
• Start is very relaxed/ casual/ friendly and not too busy. No one seem fussed or had the ability to check if you were in the right starting time slot
• Most people walk, In fact I only saw 3 other runners the whole day
• The course has very steep inclines and declines. If you have weak knees this might not be for you.
• If you run, you will be far ahead and this means checking the signs and knowing the course. Couple of wrong turns made when not concentrating.
• Checkpoints are great but few and far between. Well stocked and friendly though. Carry your own water. I carried 1,5l and refilled, this was fine
• Beach, bush walking, road and off road. We walked the beach, steep sections and bush sections due to calk injuries, ran the rest.
• Some part of the track very narrow, can be frustrating if you get caught as everyone is well, walking
• If you want to run competitively, then choose another race. If you just want a casual, no stress run this might be for you.
• Me thinks many people dont follow the course exactly, not due to any reason but missing the markers
• Markers and signage got fewer and far between as we got closer to Manly.

Managed a time of just over 4 hours, which included walking the steep sections, beach and bush walking sections which was probably around 3-4 km in total. Finish is a bit of an anti climax, we are used to finishing running events where more people are finishing at the same time. While we finished around 11am, there were still walkers coming in at 6pm. A long day indeed.

Thanks again to The Australian Mitochondrial Disase Foundation for putting this on, good luck to the otehr participants around the country and we look forward to the Bloody Long Walk 2016.

Some pics from the day:

The early start in Palm Beach. Best to get the bus up there. Overcast day, perfect for a run.

Beautiful Pam Beach, first stetch is straight along the beach and up the stairs.

Lots of off road tracks, nothing to epic. Nice easy running or walking and easy on the knees.

The 10km mark, again off road, Lots of Sunday families strolling along here. Stunning and still going strong at this stage.

80% of this run is just beautiful view after view after view. Lots to take in, bring a camera if you ever do do this.

Walk along Dee Why Beach. Quite a distance and a good calf work out. 

Bush walking between Dee Why and Curl Curl along the coast. Could only manage a walk. Again, beautiful scenery. Lots of lizards. Watch the ankles.

Boardwalk between Cur Curl and Freshwater. One of my favourite views, just above the rocks and sea. Still overcast, Still jogging.

Finally, after 35km. The finish line, more watermelon, water and friedly people. 35kms Done.

What else would you do after a 35km run but have a beer on the rooftop of the Steyne. 

Lovely day out, highly recommended. If you feel like you want to enjoy running longer distances. Checkout our half marathone tips here. or just want to go off road, our trail running tips are here. Good luck.