Big Bang 12 Aug '08  We almost lost Al to the volcano in a wildly unpredictable Mt Yasur moment, the surf was bigger than ever at Black Beach, and every camp provided treasured views to the mountains and coast. Was this our best ever Tanna Traverse? Hard to say with the 2006/07 teams peeking over our shoulder, but if nothing else the V8 team certainly get bragging rights on big bang volcanic activity! Even at a distance from our Yasur camp, the noise levels and belching smoke suggested we were in for something special, and the volcano did not disappoint. Spectacular, ear-busting eruptions hurled lava bombs over our heads, forcing an urgent retreat from the summit. Toxic sulphide gases caused problems in the mixed winds of the summit ridge, and Tom's iPod-infused night-singing was as scary as anything Mother Nature offered up.
The trip became more memorable than ever for the runningwater adventures tribe with Master Patrick (aged 5) completing the final days of our expedition on foot, and Karen and Tim having a first crack at Tanna. With Ramu and Tom as guides, a Vanuatu family tradition and friendship endured for a third consecutive year. A great team and a great team effort with Deb, Josie, Tom, Tim, Patrick, Karen, Claire, Al, Tracey, Leith, Tom, and Ramu joining the small handful of explorers to have completed the legendary Tanna Traverse. Bring on V9!
Full story and more images coming soon at ADVENTURE. |
US Marine 12 Aug '08 
Beyond our playful wavebreakers (refer image) lies a graveyard of US military hardware from the Second World War, submerged just a few feet below the waterline. Now home to a thriving community of marine creatures, the site known as Million Dollar Point is a slightly funny aside to a serious page in the Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu) history books.
The story goes something like this. The war had ended, the Americans intent on withdrawal from Santo hoped to flog their military hardware to the occupying French at something close to fire-sale prices. The French stubbornly baulked at the US pricing and hoped to score some freebie jeeps, trucks, and Coca Cola. The US troops said "no deal", the French persisted with hard bargaining, and the US dumped everything in the ocean to ensure a hard fought win! This 17 seconds on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u4Tf7qO3Ls will give you a look at the underwater tip.
Blame the tropical heat and humidity if you like. We were grateful for an unusual snorkelling adventure, and just around the corner lies the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, an unmissable dive for the scuba crew. |
V8 MAKO 11 Jul '08 
In 2006 our Tanna Traverse team baked under a tropical sun, then in 2007 we found an anomalous dry season full of pouring rain. This time around we are expecting a bit of both as we pioneer a new route across the southern mountains of Tanna, Vanuatu. Edging further south, we see more of the coast before deviating inland on any one of the many tribal tracks that criss-cross this most beautiful of tropical islands.
As always, our comfort in rain or shine is taken care of by MAKO Eyewear, not only supplying high quality sunnies to the team, but also decking the crew out in all-weather MAKO jackets. This should make the task of camping on pristine beaches, climbing volcanos, and bathing in hot springs a little less onerous. As always, we can't wait to board Air Vanuatu for our next V8 adventure! |
Cold Snaps 10 Jul '08 
Nothing like a biting wind and some winter snowfalls to get our sport and adventure mates out behind their cameras. Ballarat swim junkie Kellie Boyce, says that her image from Gordon (30km east of Ballarat) reminds her of Vanuatu, which proves quite conclusively that Kel still hasn't recovered from her steamy 2006 Round Island Relay run. And more of the same madness from our NZ triathlon buddy Jo Hooker, whose NZ cover photo from Christchurch has her thinking lagoon swims at the Le Lagon jetty. Hmm. Or maybe the girls are just fantasizing wishfully about being part of our V8 adventure, set to launch this coming week. Nice snaps, ladies. |
Game Set Match 03 Jul '08 
A GPS-measured 12 000 metres from one of our Mallee 12 racers, a great crowd, and a new race record makes it hard to disguise our delight at putting on a fast, fun, and accurately marked race. And with numbers up significantly and sponsors already committed, the event is destined to grow and prosper in 2009.
In closing the books on M12 2008 we are proud to announce that $1500 has been disbursed to Mildura Life Saving Club from event proceeds, and $200 from merchandise is in the bank for Melbourne Zoo as part of our ongoing support to the captive breeding program of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect.
So, with Wimbledon balls being bludgeoned in the background we'll round out Mallee 12 2008 by saying, thankyou linesmen....thankyou ballboys. And check out our cool Wastewise 'silver!' |
Mallee Medallists 12 Jun '08 
Hard to imagine how cool it must be to be presented inaugural Mallee Medals by running legend Steve Moneghetti, so we'll have to ask Elyse Carter and Nustratullah Ataye next time we seem them. But judging by the smile on Elyse's face the impact will probably be felt for some time, and for Nustrat, a recent arrival from Afghanistan, the experience seemed humbling and surreal.
The bottom line to all this, is that two talented and happy runners are etched into the Mallee 12 history books and can deservedly showcase their unique silverware to all their school mates and running colleagues. We will watch their progress with much interest enroute to M12 2009 but as two of the fastest kids in the 2008 race, we reckon a few of the adult runners will be viewing them from the 'other side' in next years event! |
Mona's Record 11 Jun '08  With ruthless inevitability Steve Moneghetti again put a big M12 field to the sword with a convincing win in the 2008 Mallee 12 Fun Run. In spite of some close early racing the quality field was still no match for one of our most enduring Olympic athletes. Emerging local superstar Georgie Whitehead proved that 2007 was no fluke either with a strong win in the ladies race.
In perfect conditions Mona clipped 23 seconds of his own race record with a time of 37:44, and proved once again that he is still amongst Australia's fastest distance men. Georgie's time of 48:13 was a fraction slower than her own 2007 record, but her winning margin of almost two minutes made for a more comfortable victory.
Thankyou to everyone that made 2008 Mallee 12 a colossal success. We are back for more in 2009. Check out the full race report and more Stacey Merlin (Sunraysia Daily) images as they appear through the website. |
Crystal Ball 01 Jun '08 
With entries rolling in from distant corners, enquiry from Kenyan racers in Malaysia, and Mallee runners bracing for a high-speed invasion, we thought it time to level the playing field with an inside-traders look at possible weather conditions for M12 race day. Needless to say, the weather Gods will throw a spanner in the works, but historical data from the Bureau of Meteorology suggests that race conditions could be something like this based on long-term statistical data. June numbers below. (buyer beware!) Last year we chased a soft cold fog into a blue sky morning, so I'm tipping rain in 2008. Real forecasts and observations at www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic/mildura/- Average 9am (race start) temp: 7.8°C
- Average max temp: 16.0°C
- Average min temp: 5.2°C
- Average rainfall: 23.2mm
- Average daily sunshine: 5.4hrs
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Mako 41 11 Apr '08 
First things first. Nobody in the photo has won the MAKO Mallee 12 prizepack so apologies to the V6 Tanna Team if you got a little excited. However, this glamorous bunch do all wear MAKO sunnies and do highlight what a gorgeous range you can find at www.makoeyewear.com.au , one to suit any hair colour. Back to business though.
As you might know, Tracy Lee pulled race entry 41 from the imaginary hat at our random draw, meaning that Bert Pelgrim from the Yarra Valley is now the proud owner of some world class sunglasses. We thought about altering the outcome by stealth, noting that Bert comes from a rival wine region and beat me by one second in 2007, but instead chose to punish the true culprit at Mildura Track.
Just as well Mrs Lee is married to a 6.5ft cop, otherwise we could have been making the next episode of Without a Trace! |
Alpine Adam 02 Apr '08  It's almost unbearable when sport and adventure mates are having more fun than you, even worse when they attach cool photos. But like my Mum always said, "it is important to share". So here are a few trip notes from Adam Fleming, having more fun than us in and around Victoria's highest peak, Mt Bogong (1896m). Doh.
Climbed Mt Bogong staircase Easter Friday. Was a good 3.5 hour challenge with 15kg packs on. Camped on Hells Gap just down from summit. Wasn't too windy but very cold! Falls Creek measured -2°C that night so I bet we had temperatures less than that. The ice on the tent the next morning is evidence of how cold it was!
Hiked 7hrs Saturday down to and out of Big River (very steep) and along Bogong high plains (I managed to poorly negotiate the river crossing, ending up with completely wet shoes for the rest of the day). Although I thought my legs were in OK condition, I was very sore in the coming days from this part of the trip. Spent that night at Johnsons Hut which was spectacular. Weather was very kind once again.
Ate chocolate for breakfast Easter Sunday morning and hiked out to Falls Creek. Spent Easter Monday on the roady cruising up to Falls Creek. A 33km steady climb to the top and a lovely descent on the way back!
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Sister Act 01 Mar '08 
Two of our finest athletes, a Mallee 12 beanie, and a wandering river backdrop could imply that the associated image was taken on an unusually bad day in Mildura. Not a chance. Long distance stars Dylan Dwyer and Kate Bourchier are fresh in from 42.2km of run action in the Kumatori Marathon (Osaka), completing the journey with impressive race times of 3:12 and 3:47. Representing Mildura in our sister city run exchange has been a sporting highlight for many over the years with a typical Japanese adventure including wonderful hospitality, great food, and a laugh-filled excursion to a traditional spa.
We'll hear more from Dylan and Kate at SPORT and congratulate both runners on their well deserved success. Sayonara. |
Iron Kids 18 Feb '08 
We might have to call Bill, Patrick, and Adele the first graduates of the the KPS/rwa Institute of Sport. Remarkable All Kids Triathlon debuts by the team after two years of practice at our low altitude training facility, Koorlong Primary School. We are very proud of all the kids for just having a go, but you can't hide from the fact that these guys are really, really fast too. With Beijing Olympics still a few months away the Australian selectors might have to take a late look in the KPS school yard if they are serious about winning medals.
Speaking of kids, a special mention for Master Henry Beus of Newman (WA) who travelled a very long way to make his fun run debut in Port Lincoln (SA) under the watchful eye of Karen W. Nice work, H.
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