Awsome Foursome Joint Run – August 8, 2016
It was a dark and stormy night as runners, walkers and the undecided gathered around heaters at McGilvray Oval for this joint run. Suddenly at 6:20 PM before anyone could ask “what time does the 6:30 PM run start” an obviously cold and inpatient hare set the pack off. Fortunately for the late arrivals and those still shedding their cold weather gear a generous loop and false trail reunited the pack.
It was very definitely a run requiring torches as the trail took us through parks and bush, uphill and down dale on bitumen, limestone, grass and sand. Missing marks, long false trails, darkness, threatening rain and general confusion kept the pack roughly together.
Contrary to all regulations (apparently) we climbed into Bold Park peering into the gloom to discover the flour. Even a punishing hill followed in due course by a descent over sand failed to separate the pack as frequent failures of navigation slowed us down. Nevertheless it gradually became apparent that various runners – I’m thinking of you Birdman – had left us for a shorter and quicker route back to the gas heaters.
Leaving the park a residual group of 14 was disappointed to be directed away from home back into the suburbs. Our disappointment was relieved by the unusual sight of a drink stop where our electrolytes were recharged with what could have been port and lemonade. Once again we circled the suburb to discover the even more astonishing sight of a second drink stop. On this occasion the whiskey was no single malt nor was even the Coke genuine but it was difficult to fault the hares for two warming drink stops on a cold August night.
The four remaining runners from Perth endured songs from Hamersley and West Coast and off we set again reinvigorated by the alcohol and the sugar. More suburban streets, a hole in the fence, a large patch of wasteland and another downhill run over sand followed before we caught sight of home.
All in all this was a well set and interesting run which would have earned a high mark if it had been actually scored.
Perhaps I was too busy consuming the cheese and salami to pay sufficient attention to the circle apart from my own down down for the outrageous offence of checking emails on my phone during the run. The bits I did pay attention to were entertaining and as a whole the event did not appear to irritate Perth hash in the same way as joint circles might have in the past.
Circle survived and over we hoed into a large meal of chicken, chips and coleslaw with a very welcome whiskey aperitif. Thanks to Crayfish for a great effort on the food and drink.
Sir Knob