Coast to Kosi

Coast to Cosi is such an amazing journey and adventure, not only for the competitors but also for the crew. I was crewing together with Sub50 for Spud, and whilst I had read a few race reports from previous years, I really had no idea what to expect.

Everyone gathered at the beach in great anticipation of the next day or so. We were embarking on a “hobbit like” journey, 246k away to the summit of Australia.

The track was much more beautiful and interesting than I was expecting. It takes you up and down mountains, through streams, forests and expansive plains. There is a variety or flora and fauna culminating in the beautiful snowy mountains which surprisingly still had snow on its peaks.

Spud took off and after 10k we were by ourselves, isolated from other competitors and crews. This is the way it would stay for the entire race, and with limited contact and mobile coverage, the journey was done mostly on our own.

I was keen to know how Spud treated these Ultra’s and learn a thing or two from him. He was extremely well organised and his preparation was almost faultless. Sub50 and I commented that to be successful in these events you just have to keep going. Keep running when you can and walk when you can’t, keep eating and keep drinking and that’s what Spud did.

We encountered all kinds of weather on the journey. Humid then hot conditions on Friday morning, before a big thunderstorm, a cool change and a cold night. Saturday morning the clouds burnt off for a warm and sunny day. The trip to Cosi from Charlotte’s pass was windy and very cold.

Spud stopped for the first time just before sunset and had some dinner (thanks Vegie!). We were quite happy to see him moving again in just 8 mins. After we cleaned up, I joined Spud for the first stage of running through the night. Sub 50 took over pacing just after midnight and ran to Jindabyne which was just on daybreak.

What surprised me about the track were the hills - relentless hills throughout the entire 246k culminating in the stretch from Jindabyne to the top. Mentally, I thought we were almost home as we went through Jindabyne however there was still over 60k to go, nearly all of which seemed to be uphill.

Spud battled slowly but consistently all the way to Charlotte’s Pass where Sub 50 and I joined him for the ascent, which again was harder and further than I had expected. We made it back down to Charlotte’s pass where Paul and Diane greeted us. Finally, after 33 hours we were there - our journey complete.

Crewing for Spud was a real privilege. He certainly is a tough nut and a real professional. He showed heaps of courage and commitment, to relentlessly keep moving forward. He was a complete gentleman and a pleasure to crew for.

The journey however, was not complete for many others who were still battling up the mountain. Some unfortunately had needed to pull out of the race already, however there was still many more. Our drive back to Jindabyne was a real eye opener. Someone said it was like M.A.S.H. All the limping, hobbling, pain and struggles, yet a steely determination to reach the finish. Some were preparing themselves to be finishing well into there second night. In many ways these guys do it much tougher than the leaders and I don’t understand how they keep going. Some didn’t look too bad, but most did and I wondered how many would finish. To their credit ever single one that I saw finished their journey – amazing!