Maningrida Marathon 2012

                                    THE INAUGURAL MANINGRIDA MARATHON

Hot, dusty, humid, mozzies, sweat, drinking, nausea, aches and pains, determination, persistence, and courage. That was what I saw in the Inaugural Maningrida Marathon today. Two athletes Martine Kramer and Mango,aka (Robert) Schonherr, a marathon  couple. This will be their 3^rd marathon this year.

The day arrived like any other day up here in Arnhemland , hot and humid. The mozzies were lurking already. It was pitch black, broken by the sharp beams of headlights from the escort vehicles. The start line was as always the water tanks near the airport. What lay ahead was 4 laps of a 10.55 km ribbon of a gravel, dusty, sandy, road with plenty of corrugations thrown in, which thankfully had been graded by Craig the day before. A small band of friends and curious onlookers gathered. Our Emergency Services providing backup and support with vehicles and aid stations. It was great to see the support.

Four a.m.  came around. Pictures, videos, and the last of the good-humoured chatter that accompanies the start line, and then it was on. Two athletes, side by side, escort vehicles shining the way ahead. A small breeze picked up, but it was not a cooling one. Running well, they looked good right on their pace target.

Minute by minute the darkness waned and mozzies really made an effort to be friendly. Thank goodness for Aeroguard.

In just on an hour, we hit the turnaround at 10.5 km. The light now was good, and a call for some liquid refills. Mango was in pain already though. A persistent knee problem which only revealed itself in the last 2 weeks before race day came back to haunt him. He had to make a decision now to push on and manage, or to stop. He chose to manage it and keep the effort at a bearable level. But, he was okay, and still in good spirits. Martine was starting to feel the effects of the heat, and knew she was in for a tough time.  A few of us were running various distances to support these two and our jobs to provide encouragement and support was about to start as we headed back into town with them.  I tried to get them to focus on the things they could control, and not worry about what they could not control. Our terrific local emergency services crew, had set up aid stations now it was light, and these were a godsend, as they gave us something to run to as well as the goodies that were on the table. Liquids, lollies, and salt tablets, were loaded up and the push began again. One foot in front of the other. The mind starts turning its attention more and more to that very simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, concentrating, each of them drawn into themselves, as they moved towards the 21 km mark.

It’s not often things go  exactly according to plan. Mango had to deal with his knee. When he stopped at an aid station to fuel up, it took 300 mt to get going again, his knee was stiff, and sore and then after running a little more it became bearable again, but he was asking why this had happened again. It is hard to throw that thought out, but he did keep going, showing Martine his courage and strength. Martine meanwhile, was dealing with her own demons of overheating and feel suffocated in the humid air, but she persisted, and drove on. The 21 km mark came and went. Now was the time that marathon runners call, “the race start”. The next 21 km would be tough, and it was. The sun got hot, the shade disappeared and it became very humid. we had a few four wheel drives, drive past at speed, and coat us with dust that permeated your eyes, ears, down your lungs and throat. It became more difficult as the sun gave us a taste of tropical buildup heat. The focus on forward movement became even sharper, concentrating, became harder. Sweat dripping off every bit of clothing, and an incredible urge to stop. Cold water at an aid station to soak the hat, and pour it all over yourself, man that feels good, so good in fact that you don’t want to leave, but you must go on. Mango is now limping. His commitment though is strong, and we finally get to the turnaround point at 32 km. He was going to finish, even if he had to crawl. He was hot, tired, and sore but if the leg wasn’t so painful his efforts would have yielded him much better results, for he had done the work in preparation, but you have to accept whatever this race puts in your way, and the strength of your character is shown in how you deal with that. His strength, and determination still shone through, but there was hard effort etched on his face, as he dealt with the pain.

Martine was really struggling now, her pace was ebbing, then flowing. She would put in an effort until she could not bear it, and then backed off. Walking offered some respite, as did the aid stations and the great encouragement from our small group. It was hard to leave these little oases.  She had courage as she pushed on. Her focus sharpened on her effort, a real battle was going on back and forward between good and bad. Eight km left. Mango was now walking and jogging. It was painful, but he was going to get there. Martine couldn’t breathe. It was tough, and humid, and suffocating. Relax, relax I kept urging her, big breaths, calm yourself, quieten the mind. Six km left, walking and running became the way to move forward. Battle on as best you can just so as you keep moving.The simple effort of running became and all consuming exercise.  Three km and we came to the final bend in the road towards town .Duel thoughts of its nearly over,and its taking so long, anguish results, Mango had put in a huge effort and was up the road about a half kilometre. What a class act.  Martine could smell the finish. All of a sudden it was going to happen. Marathon number three was now a reality. The fire tower came into view. One km to go,Martine put in a big effort and  they caught up to each other, and the effort was nearly too much. They could see the small group gathered at the end, but it felt like they were miles away. 100 yards to go and they knew. Clapping, cheering, and a few tears met them. A small red carpet, and an orange tape at the finish and then it was over. Such a relief to stop. But it doesn’t take long before stiffness sets in. To see them hobbling over to their chairs was funny.

Champagne was cracked, sprayed, and drunk. I was very proud to put the 1^st ever Maningrida Marathon Medals around their necks.

I can’t tell you how proud I was of these 2 athletes proving again that they were willing to put in the work, and tests themselves in an event that takes your abilities to the edge. The achievement will stay with them for a long time. They can rest now, and feel that pride that comes with the achievement.

Martine Kramer and Mango Schonherr, marathoners  together.  ENJOY!!!!