City to Surf, S.M.H Half, State 10k and JP Morgan now you
can add the ‘Beer Mile’ to the elite Top 5 races that is a must do on the HuRTS
calendar list going forward.
Massive turnout for the 2nd running of the race
and with the its now top billing the big guns were out to take the title with
Low, Herington, Macca, McGarva all fronting but the wildcard was a certain Nick
Haines who is relatively new to the group and the bookies weren’t going to be
taking any chances.
Marked out the 400m course and with beers all set up it was soon
revealed that we were a case down on numbers, A quick double count and I realised I’d left in the other side of the fence
upon arrival. Went to get it and much to my horror some ‘Tealeaf’ had done a
runner with it – outrageous behaviour.
A quick race over the road to fix up and after sorting two
groups out we were off. Into the faster group 1 for me but even before the start I wasn’t feeling
that good and thought I could be in trouble.
NOW.... although I was never a chance to win the event I honestly
thought the first beer would get slammed down no problems, how wrong could I
be? Got about 2/3rds down and was struggling as Nick Haines and
Charlie were gone.
Still found myself sitting in about 5th as I come
in for beer 2 – Absolute shocker here, as I was barely sipping and only just
managed to finish it. Confidence was destroyed then when the Chairman and
Birchy flew past on the second lap and by the time I was coming in for beer 3 I
had doubts I was going to keep it down. Spent an eternity in transition as the
crowd got great entertainment and despite huge support from my boy “The
Stallion’ Durante I offered nowt. The big floodlight at the bottom of the oval
was looking favourite for me to deliver near 800mls of VB on it at one point but
somehow it was saved as I come in for the final time. Barely had time to open the
contents and I looked over to see newby Nick Haines storming over the line in a
PB of 6.58 .....Holy Shite, and then Champagne putting in a final surge to tip
out Macca for the silver medal. It wasn’t
pretty but one by one the others started to come home and I just had about enough energy to ‘High 5’ the
Chairman as he stopped the clock in mid 7s as I had done everything bar pull up
a deck chair.
Ambled my way around the final 400m with head bowed in shame
as I crossed the line in something over 10 minutes (10.38 to be honest I think
it was)
The second race was about to start and this was part of the
evening I enjoyed as the ‘Westpac Boys’ Durante, and the girls were all involved.
The surprise in this group was Darren Jordan who looked pretty impressive I
must say, Sonii and Corky were having a
right old dingdong as Durante was starting to fade during the later stages. Sonii
first out for the final time but the Irish lass found something over the final
200m and took out the female race, almost reeling in Paulie Hannell at the same
time.
Saw a few ‘Chunders’ throughout but I think everyone had a
ball, a good chat after over some ‘Corona’s that I had also picked up before we
headed to O’Malley’s’ for more social and get the full run down. Had a great
chat with everyone especially Billy Batt and Dave Casey, and then couldn’t
believe it when I looked across to see the Westpac Boys and girls were slamming down ‘Cocktails’
The official handover of all losing bets took place as the
line was half way down the ‘Golden Mile’
as the punters left poor Timmy cashless once more.
As always a quality night with the guys and Skippy Heyden took
the ‘Most P!$$ed guy of the night , that said I’m not sure many of us can remember
leaving or getting the cab home.
Only downer of the night was the NO SHOWS from certain
people who had promised me and let me down – again, the invitations may not be
as forthcoming for future events.
A few photos from the night.
Cheers
No comments:
Post a Comment