Six Foot Track 2021
/SIX FOOT TRACK MARATHON
By Clare Jones
The alarm goes off at 5am. Of course I’m already awake. The usual pre race routine of waking every few hours interspersed with dreams where I oversleep had made for a less than restful nights kip! Up I leapt with nervous excitement (my first official race in over a year), half questioning why I willingly put myself through this stress.
With Six Foot Track Marathon, it’s reputation somewhat precedes it. It is a 45 kilometre trail (I prefer to call it an ultramarathon ;)) stretching across the Blue Mountains from The Explorers Marked Tree near Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. With testimonies ranging from ‘brutal, never again’ to ‘AMAZING’, it seems that Six Foot Track may have something of the Vegemite about it.
I was swept up by the history of the track and also the race itself with buckles awarded for six finishes and the honour of being crowned a ‘living legend’ if you successfully manage to drag yourself around 24 times. The race was first run in 1984 and follows an 1884 heritage horse track.
I had enjoyed/endured a sneak preview of the track a few weeks before the race taking part in for the Sydney Striders organised ‘Megalong Mega’ with fellow Rejoovers Tom, Elaine, Keira, Zac and Sammie. We’d probably covered about 15 km of the course during that outing so much of the race terrain would still be a surprise.
Tom, Lisa and I chowed down on our pre match breakfasts and set off for Katoomba Christian Centre where we were bused a short distance to the start line. It felt relatively quiet when we arrived, still dark and already quite warm. In these ‘new normal’ times, the usual mass start chaos gave way to a slightly more controlled rolling start which for me was much less nerve wracking and preferable. With very little a-do and minimal time for the obligatory portaloo stop, we were off.
Barely into any kind of rhythm, we quickly reached the steep, uneven and damp steps down through Nellie’s Glen. A perennial wimp on the downhill, I gingerly picked my way down the steps only to be forced off the stairs on multiple occasions by people eager to press on (baring in mind we were less than a kilometre into the race at this point!). Ashamedly i may have inwardly high-fived myself as I calmly overtook them once reaching the bottom of the treacherous steps.
Following this, the next 15k or so is enjoyable single track trail interspersed with short patches of fire trail where the countryside opens up and you are rewarded with sights of beautiful rolling hills. It is a little undulating but feels easy to run along and the latter sections traversing the Cox’s river are beautiful. The temperature was now starting to climb so I greeted the compulsory river crossing with glee. The river was pretty high coming up to my mid chest but it provided a very welcome and instant cool-down.
After the river crossing, it feels like the race suddenly revs up a gear and the proper uphill section really begins. As the elevation map shows, you are traversing uphill almost continually from the river crossing to Deviation taking in ‘Mini-Mini’ saddle and the infamous ‘Pluviometer’ (or ‘Pluvi’ as the veterans call it). Most runners were now walking and there were lots of gritted smiles and eye rolls between competitors. The weather-gods were working in my favour during this section as we were ‘blessed’ with an hour or so of unscheduled rain (I am Welsh after all :)) - I think we were all glad of a bit of respite from the rising temperatures.
I should mention at this point that the aid stations at Six Foot Track are brilliant, appearing just when you feel you can’t propel yourself forward another step. They are frequent and are catered for by the amazing NSW rural fire service who also organize the race as a not-for-profit event.
Crazily, Six Foot Track is actually a ‘net downhill’ race which is definitely not what your glutes are telling you when you’re half-way up the Pluviometer. Once at the top of Pluvi, the fire trail continues generally uphill and I tried to employ an 800m run/200m walk strategy to try and keep moving.
The last 5k or so is downhill and is steep, rocky and steep (did I mention steep?). I was very excited to be near(ish) the finishing line but also mindful that now would not be a good time to sprain an ankle. Having already properly written off my quads and glutes on the uphills, this last stint was uncomfortable to say the least but I found solace in the fact that everyone around me seemed to be in the same predicament.
1km from the end the unmistakable clang of cow bells could be heard drifting up the valley and the finish chute at Jenolan Caves was as atmospheric and memorable as everyone says it is (even with the crowd restrictions). I finished the race with a happy tear in my eye after a thoroughly memorable, fun and slightly painful day on the trails. Would I do it again?….My immediate reaction post race was probably a ‘no’ as i was tired and there’s no escaping the slog-like nature of the course but I have no doubt given the chance that I wouldn’t need much convincing to give it another bash!
My top 5 Highlights:
The aid stations - Huge thanks to the NSW rural fire service - frequent, well-stocked (we all carried our own drinking cup) and providing much needed morale boosts and encouragement.
The beautiful single track trail section - this was my favourite part of the race and I think captures the real essence of trail running; fun, interesting underfoot, stunning scenery
The weather - we were lucky to experience multiple seasons in a day
The camaraderie - it was great to take part in an event with other club members and also to chat with other people on route
The finish line - the harmonious clang of the cow bells made for a hugely atmospheric and emotional finish - very special indeed!
5 things I would repeat/do more of:
Hills Hills and more Hills - sounds obvious but you can never ascend too many. Run them, hike them and definitely run down them too (preferably on tired legs). This is a massive note to self.
Pack some tasty snacks in your drop bag (thanks for the tip Claire C!) - I’m not sure why but I totally hadn’t appreciated how long the bus ride would take from Jenolan caves back to Katoomba. 80 sweaty, smelly, hungry runners packed on a bus is as pleasant as it sounds! If not immediately hungry post race you will likely rediscover your appetite during the drive back to the start.
Salt tabs. I’m no nutrition expert but I lost my appetite mid-way through the race and was certainly losing a lot of salt in the humidity. I managed to take a salt tab every 20 minutes or so and I feel they stood me in good stead (that and the thought of a margarita at the end!). I also avoided any nasty cramps.
Try and run a bit of the track beforehand. I always like to keep a bit of the surprise element in races but I was certainly reassured that I’d run some of the course before.
Smile....sounds soft but attempting a grin whilst dragging yourself up the hills definitely helps. And can also infuriate some of your fellow runners! I’m sure a few kind words to the Firies doesn’t go amiss either.
