This is the 50km Lockdown Challenge Podcast Race Wrap! (the 11th and final episode)
In this episode; Dion, Dane, JD and Apples reflect on their race day performances, discuss the ins and outs of what went into organizing the day and what a 'win' Sunday was for the Melbourne running community as a whole! They thank 'the village' of people that supported the event, announce the winner of the 'race prediction' contest and discuss what their next running goals are for 2021?
The idea for the 50km Lockdown Challenge started out as a mere crazy idea in the middle of Metropolitan Melbourne’s COVID lockdown but on Sunday it ‘actually’ became real!
Despite windy and wet conditions, the unfatigable Dion Finocchiaro was a cut above and  became the new and very deserving Australian 50km record holder; running 2:50:49! Dane, was personally pretty darn satisfied to also go under Mark Tucker’s old mark by 87 seconds; running a 2:52:20! JD went through the marathon 19 seconds shy of his Pb and hung tough to run 2:54:29, slicing 5 minutes off his old 50km PB. Apples (the birthday boy) defied his preparation and hung on till 30km, then jogged in a 2:33 mara. He was an invaluable team player!
The incredible amount of support this event received from the running community will forever be appreciated and remembered!
Special mentions must go to the people below, as without them, the race just wouldn’t have happened!
Sarah Davis (AV official)
Richard Davis (AV official)
Susan Schnaars (AV official)
Stuart Schnaars (AV official)
Josh savage (AV official)
Peter Villani (Tomato Chip Timing)
Simon Forer (lap counter)
Scotty Orchard (GM)
Karen Mickle (GM/AURA official)
Des Waldron (Utility/jack of all trades)
Jeff Wright (lap counting)
Sean Verwey (lap counting)
David Overend (Drinks station)
David Wilson (Drinks station)
Nathan Fenton (Runner chats/MC)
Pete James (Runner chats/MC)
Damien Clark (Fb live)
Peter Dutton (lap counter)
Simone Brick (lap counter)
Clint Perrott (helper)
Tim bowman (Took over 4000 photos today, including the brilliant ones above!)
Chris Smith (Zero plus sports Beers)
Barry Thomas (Zero plus sports Beers)
Bec Black (lap counter)
Jeanette Reyes (lap counter)
Box Hill Athletics Club for allowing us to use their great track, on top of being so accomodating and easy to work with! Liam Adam for his meticulous pacing for 30kms.
Jess Dunsmore for pacing till 21kms all in lane 2, rolling a 72 min half. He had poise beyond his 21 yrs of age.
And of course every single other man and his/her dog for coming out and showing their support and excitement for this wicked sport!
What a special day Sunday November the 29th 2020 was!