Night runners partaking in this month’s Duchess Dusk to Dawn run are encouraged to register by this Friday for a unique outback experience.
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As the name would suggest, Dusk to Dawn is a night-long event starting after sunset on Saturday June 17.
This year Gecko Outdoor Sports has chosen The Golden Octopus Foundation as its charitable cause, supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
Last year’s inaugural event was a big success with a road party atmosphere, bringing runners, walkers, spectators and support crews together.
Participants take off from Duchess pub alone or in teams of up to 10, and finish at Mount Isa Campdraft grounds sometime the next morning.
The full distance is 100km but participants can also do 5km, 10km, a half marathon, full marathon, or ultra marathon – more than 42km.
Few will take on the full 100km distance, and they will need all the help they can get from support crews meeting their nutrition and hydration needs.
One such overachiever is Rick Leeman, who recommends fruit, nuts, electrolyte drinks, and peanut butter sandwhiches.
Proudly repping his Gecko Outdoor sports singlet, Rick prepares by running alone in the evenings, taking in Mount Isa’s winter sunsets.
Though Rick was unable to attend in 2016 he is confidently up for the challenge and assures us he has been training hard.
“I run pretty much all the time, but I have had specific training for this for the last four months,” Rick said.
Rick has tailored his training to include strength sessions, speed sessions with intervals, and more of a hard effort.
“Rather than just slogging out mile after mile of long runs, you need to have some specific speed and strength training to condition the muscles in the right way to be able to cope with the 100kms,” he said.
Endurance is the name of the game, and pace is crucial in a race like Dusk to Dawn. Rick knows this from competing in events such as ‘Lest We Forget’ 84km ultra marathon from South Port to Southbank in Brisbane.
When asked why he would do such a thing again, Rick said it is a great feeling to be be competing in a local event with a great cause to back.
“It’s supporting a childhood cancer foundation, and I think everyone’s been touched by cancer unfortunately these days.
“And it’s flat, the race is flat,” he laughed.
The event is well organised by Gecko Outdoor Sports with safety at the forefront.
Runners are required to don a high-vis reflective safety vest, a whistle, emergency blanket, cap lamp, and will need to organise their own food and support.
Register today via Gecko Outdoor Sports on Facebook.
