Pinnacles Classis Race Report 1

On Saturday morning few hardy souls, and me, made the journey to Gold Creek Reservoir at Brookfield for surely the hardest half marathon in the known world. This year the race went clockwise, tackling the worst part of the course first.
There was mention of 17 hills in the first 8km, making an average of two hills per km. I lost count after the first 5 and it all seemed like a big hill to me. When I say hill, should I rather say 'ridiculously steep incline!'.

The route markers were white ribbons attached to trees and some chalk markings on the ground, which were difficult to see [we will get to that later]. Each of the hills or series of hills are named. Perhaps the names are indicative of the hill.
The first being The Randal, probably named after some poor bloke who got wrecked on that hill. It was a never ending hill, and the air started getting thin on the way up. When my ears popped I knew it was steep!

That was followed by The Brute, and aptly named it was. Talking about aptly named hills, The B******s were a series of hills that no parent would be proud of!
That was followed by the Double Whammy, which everyone found memorable. The halfway point arrived mercifully and the race helpers assured me that the rest of the way was downhill except for one hill. I know enough not to believe a single word they say to you at waterpoints. Each marshall is trained in psychological tricks to encourage you not to spit the dummy and chuck it all in! After a water refill and a few lollies, I set off to see if for once someone told me the truth. Well, the rest of the story will have to wait until I can get back to my PC.

Coming up:
SOS - The Search For Lost Steve