Yes it is time for the Top 10 Ultra Performers in 1999. Those runners with more than one excellent result have had their rankings pushed up. Hope you enjoy my list and feedback is most welcome.
1. Gary Parsons & Pat Farmer
- If you haven't heard about the performances of these two great runners in the past year you must have been hiding under a rock somewhere. Gary Parsons ran a great 19 030km in nine months and surpassed the previous World Continuous Run Record held by American, Robert Sweetgall of 17 071km. His run was full of courage especially when you consider the ankle injury that he ran with for the last two months. Pat Farmer, meanwhile ran the quickest lap of Australia( with a few shortcuts between Adelaide and Sydney) and completed 14 986km. His run certainly captured media attention and certainly deserves an equal first ranking with Gary Parsons.
3. John Moyle
- John was the third Solo Runner making his way around Australia in the past year(in a figure of eight). He was averaging less per day than the other two, but on 22 Feb 2000 will be running back into Adelaide being the second Australian runner to beat Robert Sweetgall's previous mark. Well done.
4. Yiannis Kouros
- Yiannis had three good 24hr performances during the year that gives him forth place. Those performances were 268km in the USA 24hr, 262km in Italy and 251.2km at Coburg earlier in the year. All very short of his 303km World record - but no one else is coming close to him at the moment in Australia over 24hrs
5. Paul Every
- Paul had an excellent year with a first, second and third to his credit during the year. His year started off with a second in the 12hr at Gosford and 122.591km. He then won the Glasshouse 100 mile Trail Run in a time of 23.28.36. Paul then capped off his remarkable year with 206km and third place at the Adelaide 24hr.
6. Nigel Aylott
- Nigel was another athlete to enjoy remarkable success during the year. His year started at the Bogong to Mt Hotham Race which he won in a time of 7.06.39. He then backed up to win the AURA 50 mile in a time of 6.04.26. He sealed his fine year with a 8.17.57 to comfortably win the Australian 100km titles.
7. Mick Francis
- Mick had an excellent year winning the Bunbury 6 hour with a total of 70.694km and then winning the Adelaide 24hr in October against a quality opposition with 224.521km. A real Gentleman of the Track!
8. Cliff Young
- The Colac Legend, Cliff Young had a great year running 137km and 147km in two 24hr races during the year and then beating the World 48hr Age group record with a fine 240.8km in the first two days at Colac. Cliff is running like he still has things to achieve in the sport and I think he will with the determination he has shown in the past year.
9. Michael Grayling
- In his first 6 day race at Colac, Michael ran a stirling 628.8km and was the Best placed Australian. Will we see more of him in the Multi-day races? Hope so.
10. Andrew Lucas
- Andrew won the 10 day Liverpool to Albury stage race early in the year. I believe has now found his forte in the Ultra World and should be headed for more success.
That was my Top Ten for 99. Agree or disagree - all comments are welcome. Two stars to watch for the future are David Criniti who won the Gosford 12hr with 128.8km earlier in the year and Christine Thiele who ran 10h14m for the 100km in Adelaide last October. This was Christine's second Ultra and will put her in the Top Ten Australian women over 100km . The ease to which she achieved this time and the way she pulled up the next day was quite remarkable.
Phil Essam,
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