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Swiss Alpine Marathon – 25 July 2009
B & R Runners Conquer the Alps????
Not quite perhaps, but it felt like it for 4 Club members and a fictitious ‘Betty’.
Above (left to right): Dickie, Judy, Len and front row Steve.
In the 3 days prior to the race, all 4 spent many hours consuming gallons of water; big breakfasts; tons of bananas and pasta; the odd chocolate pancake; and only the occasional alcoholic beverage in preparation for the big day.
This magnificent event saw 3 of them, Judy Appleby, Steve James and Dickie Doran, tackle and complete the 42km run (that’s a marathon in English) with climbs starting at 1200m and rising over 2 snow-clad peaks to heights exceeding 2600m. Around 10 miles of climbing is involved, long stretches of it so steep that walking is the only option. But aren’t those down slopes welcome?
Although it was warm and sunny at the start, this contrasted with the threat of cold, and possibly wet conditions higher up. As a result, Judy, Steve and Dickie spent a lot of time before the off, debating what to wear and trying on various bits of gear. But with gloves, hats, thermals and hot water bottles finally discarded in favour of more normal running gear they set off on their arduous run.
They ran close together for the first 10+km, but by 16km (the first peak – Keschhutte), Judy and Steve had been going for just over 2 hours and were now around 15 mins ahead of Dickie.
All were welcomed, a little wet and cold, some 8km further on at the next peak, Scalettapass, with a very short rest, windproof jackets and hot soup. At this stage Judy and Steve were still in close contention.
But now Judy, having run the 42km in 2008, put that experience to good use to pull away and finished 20 minutes quicker (that’s ¾ min quicker per mile) than last year, in an excellent time of 5:21:35. Judy was 85th overall (244 ladies finished) and a great 3rd in her age group. The winning lady completed in 4:05:34.
Steve, stepping up from the 21km distance that he ran last year, came back tired but elated with his great time of 5:27:24 to be 403rd (from 745 male finishers) and 22 in his age group.
And what a race to enter for your very first marathon. Which is exactly what Dickie did. He completed in 6:20:06, and though now sweating profusely, immediately, complained that he hadn’t been able to feel his fingers because of the cold on the mountains. Dickie ended in 640th place and 105th in his age group.
I managed the shorter 21km (½ marathon) distance, mainly walking the first 7 miles which is nearly all climb (though only a ‘whimpy’ 700m vertical climb compared with the two 42km climbs). The last 6 miles though were flatish, much more friendly, and a relief to be able to run. I completed in 2:10:31 in 101th place (from 466 male runners) and 4th in age group.
Above: Follow the right route or end up doing an extra 36km!
By contrast over 1000 runners tackled the 78km (49 miles!!!) run. They too went over the 2 peaks with the winning man recording 5:48:43 - that’s 7:15 minute miling!! The lady winner recorded 6:41:30 – that’s 8:20 miling!! RESPECT!!!
For all races the going under foot is often difficult needing good concentration to avoid tripping on tree roots in the forests and ricking ankles on the narrow mountain trails.
Above: Special hydration therapy (Len getting particularly well hydrated).
This really is a great event, with bags of support even on the peaks. I plan to go again next year.
Len Quartly
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