Back on the trails

Knapsack 3/6 hour Lap Race, January 26, 2013

Spent Australia Day this year in the lower Blue Mountains for the running of the Knapsack 3/6 hour lap race. Rather then meet with friends over a drink to celebrate, we met with friends over a few hours of running 5km laps of stunning bush trails near Glenbrook.

Hammer entered the 6hr solo event. He had not done this type of event before so he was keen to see how he would cope with the idea of running laps. It turned out to be a hot and humid day with mid-day temperatures in the mid 30's.  I was very proud to see him valiantly go lap after lap for the entire 6  hrs. Great effort from someone not known for coping well with heat and humidity.  Took me two and a half hours to covered one lap walking and  taking pictures, while Hammer managed nine laps in just under six hours.   Hammer ran again the next day while it took me the next three days to recover from stiff muscles and fatigue.  

I took my third eye (Canon 60D)  to try and capture something of the beauty of the landscape and the joy of running, oh and of course the focus and determination of racing.   

Australians all lets us rejoice, for we are young and free.....Start of the Knapsack 3/6 hour Lap Race.

The winner of the men's 6hr event, on the way to completing the first of his 14 laps.

Hammer time, still smiling despite the heat and humidity.

Smiling all the way to the finish.

These ladies ran like a precision machine for 6 hours.

Great view east from a lookout and a nice breeze from the valley below.

Trying to be creative!