Training Log Archive: TheInvisibleLog

Bush event Number 56.
I organised and set the Bendigo One Person relay. For longer than I have been in the club there has been a relay trophy. Trouble is, not many like all the waiting associated with the traditional relay. So for the last decade it has been a mass start for everyone (no teams) and then a random draw of teams after the event to create a relay winner. Pretty pointless really. So this year I set a One Person Relay, otherwise known as a hagaby. The winners of each class will have their name on the trophy, and the trophy might mean something again.
Observations.
1. Its a good area for a relay. Lots of tracks. Low visibility off the tracks. Gold mining features. Set the event to concentrate on lots of track based route choice with off track work generally only within the circle. I think the approach met with general approval.
2. Again, very little interchange between Melbourne and Bendigo with competing SiS and Bendigo Shorts. 33 for Bendigo and mid 100s for SiS. It shows the value of proximity, as I doubt there is much comparison between the two venues if bush orienteering is your thing. In one way the small local turnout was a bonus. 16 variations on courses 1 and 2, and 15 and 16 entrants respectively. Everyone did indeed have their own unique course.
3. Couldn't get O-Lynx course allocation to work. Don't know why. Will definitely be pre-entry for next years Heathcote Hagaby.
4. I am re-evaluating the Bendigo Shorts idea. Next years draft fixture scales the shorts back considerably. But I can see they are easier to organise. I put out the controls for this event in 2 hr 40 minutes door to door. The events have also been highly enjoyable and social. The temperatures are warm, the weather conducive to hanging round and mass starts or finishes create a social feel. Finally, we have so many quality bush sprint maps and small areas within the urban boundary- South Star, Virginia Hill, New St Mungo, Prince of Wales, Ironstone Hill, Perfumed Garden, White Hill No 4. Birds Reef, St Justs Point, Royal George, Golden Gully and Specimen Hill. Add the small spur gully areas like Rocky Rises, Myers Flat and its clear we should make use of such riches.
5. Mass starts are very social and they free the organiser. I had time to take photographs! Lots in this album if you button through. Might even be you in one of them.

C • Bush event count 4

Nice day to put out controls for a one person relay.

Mt Majura. A tough run. Qualifies as my long run for the week.