Peta Gallagher in Australian Squad
Former SCT sprinter Peta Gallagher has been selected in the elite Australian Hockey Squad. Peta is one of 46 players who have been earmarked as possible Commonwealth Games and Sydney 2000 representatives. She will be competing in overseas tournaments in the lead-up to the '98 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

Fiona 4th in Australian Mountain Running Championships
Held on Saturday May 9 at Mt. Wellington in Hobart. Conditions were tough with sleet, snow and slippery rocks to contend with. A blizzard greeted finishers on the summit. From John Harding: “The women's championship was a competitive affair between Tasmania's Louise Fairfax and Czech international orienteer Dita Hebelkova. The wiry Fairfax said she was nearly blown backwards nearing the finish, but still came home first in 43.07, with Hebelkova second in 44.30. Victoria's Tania Warwick, who has been in tremendous form in road races this year, was third in 46.38 with three time Australian mountain running rep Fiona Jorgensen of the ACT (28th in the World Championship uphill in 1996) next in 48.15. Fiona Wick of NSW was 5th in 50.39, and pleased to finish 3 minutes closer to Fairfax than she did last year.”

Wagga Half Marathon and 10km Fun Run
Sarah Fien won the annual Wagga Wagga half marathon on July 19. Sarah finished in a time of 89:10 and also won the 16-34 years category. Winner of the Clydesdales category for runners weighing more than 85 kilos was Aaron Fuller who also finished third outright in a time of 81:31. First male was Shane Armanini of Yenda in 78:22 with John Wiggans from Holt winning the 10k in 34:59. First female in the 10k was Renee Rzeskowski in a time of 42:00.

Second Best in the World
Just a couple of lines to announce (to those cave dwellers that may not have heard the news) that our club president has won the silver medal for the steeplechase at the World Masters Games. On Friday 14 August Gordon Nightingale lined up with a dozen other old blokes (50-55yrs) at Hayward Field, Eugene for the 3000m Steeplechase. A little over 12 minutes later the silver was his after he moved through from fourth place early and kicked away from the yank he'd been battling with in the last 4 laps. Well done Gordon!

Triathlon Success for Shaw
Ex-SCT athlete and training partner of Gordon Nightingale, Stuart Shaw, is moving on up in the triathlon world. Stuart has just secured a long term sponsorship from AGL and early in September finished third at the Long Course Triathlon World Championships in the 20-24 years category. He made his move on the bike, coming from the second pack in the swim and cycled into the lead before the run. Stuart was then passed by two Japanese runners (maybe he needs a faster run training partner) but hung onto third place and eighth overall amongst age-group competitors.

Twenty Sub-40's for Charlie
Buried in the 1998 Canberra Times Fun Run results was the name Charlie Modrak, 109th, 39:33. The 40 minute barrier for 10 kilometres on the road is a favourite one for fun-runners to attack... Greg Gilbert has done it, Jim White has done it, even Ted Harrison has done it. The amazing thing about Charlie's run on Sunday was that it was his 20th sub-40 Canberra Times in a row! Congratulations Charlie, you inspire me to try and crawl back into the sub-40's.

The Long Road Back
Is a story in this issue by Geoff Monro which could also apply to Jim Tucker, Kevin Bonnett, Brian Wenn and Nick Walshe... Jim Tucker ran in last Months Vets Handicap race after having two weeks off after damaging knee ligaments doing of all things, interval training. Kevin was back at the Canberra Times fun run after taking a year off to improve his trumpet playing. Brian showed he is gradually regaining his good-old-days form after various health problems, achilles, and abductor injuries with his 38:34 CT run. Nick has had a couple of quiet years but ran well in the Carillon Relays and also at the Canberra Times.

Gold Coast Results
Brian Wenn placed 272nd with a time of 1:28:06 in The Gold Coast Half Marathon on July 12. Just ahead was Fiona Jorgensen who placed 196th with 1:25:17. John Tuckey placed 30th in the associated 10km run with a time of 36:26.

SCT success in the City to Lake Fun Run
One of the oldest fun runs in NSW is the Wagga Wagga City to Lake which was held on September 13. Sarah Fien was in a battle with local Carmel Kahlefeldt for the win and eventually finished a close second. Some words from the report in The Daily Advertiser: "First woman to cross the line yesterday at Apex Park, winning her fifth City to Lake title was Carmel Kahlefeldt of Wagga. Kahlefeldt said she was extremely happy with her finish as Sarah Fien of Young pushed her for the entire nine kilometre race and coming in at third place was Caroline Lee of Narrandera. 'I thought Sarah would get me in the end but I hung on to win by a very narrow margin. To come first was definitely a bonus' ". First male was Clay Ridley from Canberra in a time of 28:48 for the nine kilometre run, thirty seconds outside the record. Lachlan Chisholm, 18, was second and Andrew Hendry, also 18, was third. There were 1,350 finishers.

ACT Cross Country Club 'of the Year' Awards
SCT's junior men's and women's teams thrashed the opposition to be named Junior Clubs of the Year at the annual awards night recently. Shaun McCabe won the prestigious Junior Male Runner of the Year award and also the M18 category. Junior Female Runner of the Year was Woden Harrier's Adelaide Brown. Fiona Jorgensen was the Open Womens Distance Runner of the Year and also won the W35 medal. Richard White won the M14 category and Amanda Ozolins likewise in the W20 category. CCC President and SCT stalwart Hugh Jorgensen won the M30 category.

Live at the Commonwealth Games
I'm dropping a few hints to SCT members Greg Gilbert, Leah and Aimee Wheelhouse for articles about their Kuala Lumpur experiences for the next Tuggie Athlete. All were interested spectators at the recent Commonwealth Games. Greg survived the Bali belly and might be titling his article Koala Lumpur Gold Gold Gold.

Valley View Photos of Neil and Kelly
Page 40 of the 22 September issue of the Valley View features photos of SCT runners Neil Ward-Pearson and Kelly Roberts. Neil was pictured playing in the Under-13 Junior ACTAFL grand final at Ainslie Oval. Kelly was pictured as one of three local winners of the 'Pierre de Coubertin Award' which is presented annually to students emphasising participation and good sportsmanship.

White Lightning place second in City to Surf
The team of Richard, Jim and Thomas White placed second in the Father and Two Children under 18 category in the '98 City to Surf. Their combined time was 193.16, just 21 seconds behind first place. Richard at last had a win over Jim with a time of 60:04and 1,226th place. Jim was ten places back with 60.10. Thomas White placed 5,890th with a time of 73:02. Other SCT runners who made the 14km pilgrimage from Hyde Park to Bondi included Geoff Monro who placed 312th with 52:33, David Gates who placed 1,102nd with 59:27, Brian McGlynn who placed 1,368th with 60:54, and Maryann Busteed who placed 2,750th with 66:05. Geoff and Maryann were also in winning teams... Geoff in the Government Departments category along with workmates Simon Crooke and Peter James, and Maryann in the Women Over 40 category with teamates Anne Young and Jo Cullen.

Let's Go for Ten!
In the 1997/98 Track & Field season South Canberra Tuggeranong AC won a record seven out of ten age-group Premierships. This result will be hard to match in 1998/99 but why don't we try? When you're out at Bruce and sitting in the stands doing nothing, think about going down and doing one or two extra events... maybe a discus throw or pole vault for the runners or the 100 metres or fun run for the field eventers. Now, don't get carried away like those crazy old veterans did last year and end up injured, stale and worn out! Although it must be said that they did bring home the silverware for the Senior Men's premiership against the toughest competition. Also, how about trying to recruit your friends to the club... they can join in the fun and help ease the load. Thinking about these new members, the committee has ordered heaps of new mesh singlets and crop-tops which will be available from Denise at the track and Brian at The Runners Shop.

Club BBQ after the Brindabella Classic
The club is in the process of organising a low-key social BBQ after the finish of the Brindabella Classic on Sunday the 8th of November. All participants in the Canberra Times Fun Run training group have been invited to attend. It will also be an occasion to present some new and unusual awards to winter-season runners. Even if you're not competing in the Classic, come along and watch our victorious teams and enjoy a BYO beer, steak and salad. Phone Amanda Ozolins for further details.

SCTAC Coaches
Alan Bishop: Sunday 9:30 to 12:00 at the AIS track. Wednesday 4:30 to 6:00 at the AIS track. Tuesday and Thursday at the AIS track and then at Kambah No3 Oval after the end of November.
Greg Gilbert: Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 at Chapman Oval. Sunday morning 10am Chapman Oval.
Ewen and Mike Sainsbury: Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:15 at Calwell Oval. Sunday long run from Calwell Oval (varying times - 2pm and 4pm - phone for details).
Garry Hosking: Woden Park Track on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 4:30pm. Phone for further details - 2931520.

The 'Rosemary Longstaff Trophy' is presented to Nicki Taws by Rosemary after the 1998 race at Weston Park [28k]

Greg Gilbert (centre) and friends from the 1998 Commonwealth Games [26k]

Gordon Nightingale (left) - 2nd best M50 steeplechaser in the World! [31k]

Joe Fulton tells the Kings Valley axe murderer story around the campfire of the 1998 Runners Camp [22k]

As a club, South Canberra Tuggeranong did very well with eleven runners selected in ACT teams for the Nationals. Events for Schools, Underage and Open were held on the Saturday with Relays and Time-trials held on Sunday. The courses were similar to the ones used for the ACT Championships, although this time accurately measured. Club stalwart Greg Gilbert as technical manager worked tirelessly with Richard Miller to present a great looking venue. The entire course was taped on both sides with a new system of stakes and tape which clipped on. There were many tents in use for state teams, check-in, officials, recording and merchandise sales. After record rainfall during August the course was a little on the soft side, but not the quagmire which was feared.

The team from Calwell had seven athletes entered. Unfortunately Erin Lenon came down with a bad case of the flu on Friday night and did not start. The best performed runner was Craig Core who just missed out on a bronze medal with his 4th place in the Under-17 Schools 6km race (6th Under-18 Australian). Nicole Daley who has been improving all winter placed 8th in the 12-Years 3km Schools race. Darryl Hill placed 9th in the 12-Years 3km Schools race. Erin Sutcliffe was 'off-colour' on the day but still managed 16th in the Under-17 4km Schools race. There were quite a few 'hard-luck' stories also...

Jonathan Symonds was suffering from a viral infection (which he didn't know about at the time) and was recorded as a dnf. Jonathan stopped during the second lap feeling quite ill and stepped off the course. He then continued gamely on to the finish but had unfortunately cut off a section of the course. Erin Sutcliffe required medical treatment at the finish but fortunately recovered overnight to take her place in the relay.

It was good to see Rosemary Longstaff running in the ACT colours once again. Rosemary actually won the Open Womens cross country race a few years ago, but was a little off form on the day due to a just completed overseas holiday. In summary, great efforts from SCT runners and hopefully the training weather prior to the 1999 Nationals will be a little more favourable.

Results (SCT Athletes in Bold):

10 Years Girls 2,000 Metres Schools
1. Sarah Humphreys (VIC) 7:35. 2. Lauren Rowney (QLD) 7:37. 3. Karnie Hill (NSW) 7:48. 11. Hillary Davis (ACT) 8:09.

11 Years Girls 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Naomi Berry (NSW) 11:23. 2. Brooke Simpson (ACT) 11:27. 3. Cian Maciejewski (NSW) 11:30.

12 Years Girls 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Gemma Ethridge (QLD) 11:29. 2. Elise Kingston (VIC) 11:35. 3. Kelli Griffin (NSW) 11:40. 8. Nicole Daley (ACT) 11:56. 22. Morgan Eneberg (ACT) 12:56.

13 Years Girls 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Corinne Myles (QLD) 11:48. 2. Nikki Donnelly (SA) 11:55. 3. Katie Jamieson (QLD) 12:16.

U/15 Girls 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Katrina Hansen (QLD) 10:46. 2. Kelly Maloney (QLD) 10:51. 3. Lisa Corrigan (NSW) 10:51. 35. Michelle Ward-Pearson (ACT) 12:07.

U/17 Girls 4,000 Metres Schools
1. Anne-Maree Lyons (NSW) 14:25. 2. Annabel Luxford (QLD) 14:49. 3. Nicole Cook (NSW) 14:54. 16. Erin Sutcliffe (ACT) 15:34. 36. Tricia Johnson (ACT) 16:27. 48. Jessamy Hosking (ACT) 17:54.

U/18 Women's 4,000 Metres
1. Anne-Maree Lyons (NSW) 14:25. 2. Annabel Luxford (QLD) 14:49. 3. Megan Mansfield (QLD) 14:53. 36. Jessamy Hosking (ACT) 17:54.

U/20 Women's 6,000 Metres
1. Eloise Poppett (NSW) 20:59. 2. Kelly Moring (VIC) 22:44. 3. Alice Goodberg (NSW) 22:50.

U/20 Girls 6,000 Metres Schools
1. Eloise Poppett (NSW) 20:59. 2. Alice Goodberg (NSW) 22:50. 3. Lucy Willimas (NSW) 22:51. 6. Jennifer Beer (ACT) 23:37.

Open Women's 8,000 Metres
1. Kylie Risk (TAS) 27:02. 2. Kerryn McCann (NSW) 27:09. 3. Nyla Carroll (NZL) 27:21. 4. Melissa Moon (NZL) 27:47. 5. Sasha Stephens (QLD) 27:56. 6. Liz Miller (NSW) 28:14. 7. Clair Fearnley (VIC) 28:14. 8. Carolyn Schuwalow (VIC) 28:25. 9. Lisa Dick (VIC) 28:53. 10. Isabella De Castella (VIC) 29:05. 39. Rosemary Longstaff (ACT) 35:21.

10 Years Boys 2,000 Metres Schools
1. Jason Abbott (VIC) 7:14. 2. Peter Cusack (NSW) 7:19. 3. Matt Daley (QLD) 7:22. 22. Matthew Hill (ACT) 8:01.

11 Years Boys 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Jacob Henshall (NSW) 10:49. 1. Adam Power (QLD) 10:49. 3. Cameron Geise (QLD) 11:00. 10. Patrick Cape (ACT) 11:32.

12 Years Boys 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Cole Fitzpatrick (NSW) 10:36. 2. Patrick Vidot (NSW) 10:47. 3. Alex Redshaw (QLD) 10:49. 9. Darryl Hill (ACT) 11:06.

13 Years Boys 3,000 Metres Schools
1. Daniel Woods (NSW) 10:46. 2. Jarrod Rowney (QLD) 10:52. 3. Liam Adams (VIC) 10:58. 18. Chad Lanzon (ACT) 12:44.

U/15 Boys 4,000 Metres Schools
1. Collis Birmingham (VIC) 13:32. 2. Mitchell Kealey (QLD) 13:34. 3. Adam Donegan (WA) 13:36. 5. Declan Brown (ACT) 14:01.  Jonathon Symonds (ACT) dnf; - Jordan Allen (QLD) dnf.

U/17 Boys 6,000 Metres Schools
1. Trent Wallace (VIC) 19:54. 2. Glen Barltrop (QLD) 20:00. 3. Sam Hassett (VIC) 20:10. 4. Craig Core (ACT) 20:20.

U/18 Men's 6,000 Metres
1. John Chandler (QLD) 19:13. 2. Norman Hanna (QLD) 19:40. 3. Lennon Wicks (NSW) 19:42. 6. Craig Core (ACT) 20:20.

U/20 Boys 8,000 Metres Schools
1. Craig Mottram (VIC) 26:18. 2. Andrew Pershouse (QLD) 26:31. 3. Nicholas Hornman (NSW) 26:55. 17. Ben Croker (ACT) 28:39.

U/20 Men's 8,000 Metres
1. Martin Dent (NSW) 25:26. 2. Martin Fedmowski (VIC) 25:44. 3. Alastair Stevenson (QLD) 25:53. 19. Martin Bye (ACT) 27:48.

Open Men's 12,000 Metres
1. Mizan Mehari (ACT) 35:45. 2. Lee Troop (VIC) 36:22. 3. Stephen Moneghetti (VIC) 36:32. 4. David Evans (NSW) 36:55. 5. Julian Dwyer (VIC) 37:06. 6. Scott Westcott (NSW) 37:22. 7. Sisay Bezebah (ACT) 37:25. 8. Chris Isbister (QLD) 37:35. 9. Raymond Boyd (WA) 37:38. 10. Kim Gillard (NSW) 37:53.

words by Tumblin' Gordon (sung to the tune of The Star Spangled Banner)

Oh, say can you hear in the dawns early glow,
Joe a-hollering loudly "Get up guys, get going!"
So they rise eyes all bleary and they stumble outside
Forced to run in the woods up the steep mountain's siding,
And while they labour in vain, cross the rugged terrain
Joe rests in the glade with a beer in the shade.
Oh, say will those young ones continue to run
When they find their coach sitting upon his fat bum?

Oh, say can you see there in mountainous piles
Much food on the table; hot pancakes a-steaming?
And the runners return with appetites on fire
And pounce on the banquet like vultures descending.
Peanut butter is spread all over the bread,
So thick it is laid that it fills one with dread!
Oh, say will this ravenous hoard hunger still
When Joe beats them to death with his monster food bill?

Oh, say do you know what the kids do all day?
Strip basketball, volleyball and horseshoe throwing!
They practice their massage and play frisbee golf,
And splash in the ponds that they built just for bathing.
In the heat of the day, they are carried away,
To swim in the Luckiamute a few miles away.
They return to a feast that would make your mouth drool,
Prepared by Deb after work at the Kings Valley School.

Oh, say can you hear Joe telling his stories,
Round the campfire at night with the embers a-glowing.
The mad axeman has killed Aussie Archie in rage!
And the eyes all around growing big with the telling.
Then from out there somewhere, a scream rents the air!
Kings Valley's axe murderer comes out of his lair!
Oh what will the dawn show of this terrible night?
A debri-strewn camp ground and no bodies in sight!

Oh, say did you know good things come to an end?
When Saturday comes, all the kids will be going.
They've all had a great time and made lots of friends,
They even played games with a bunch of old Aussies.
Now with a cheer, and the occasional tear,
Departing in dust; some will come back next year.
Oh, say does this mean peace will return to the valley?
Yes! Joe and his guests veg in front of the telly!

"The eventual range of my running, despite an initial limitation of raw speed, went from 35.6 seconds for 300 metres, through to international class half-mile races of around 1:52 (though I think I could have run under 1:50.0), to world class 10,000m races, and a listed World Record over 20 miles of 2 hours. I defeated the 1956 Olympic Silver Medalist over 1,500 metres and world record holders Peter Snell and Wes Santee over a mile. I was able to beat the world records for distances ranging from 3,000 metres through to 20 miles. I am one of only three athletes who has held world records and been ranked among the top 10 in the world in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000m at the same time. (The other two are Kenyan Kip Keino and Belgium's Gaston Reiff). I was ranked in the top 10 twelve times in 10 years. This is the longest span of time any athlete has been ranked in the top 10.

So, the training programme I followed gave me everything, including the ability to lead a race for the entire distance, or to wait and sprint past everyone at the finish (except Herb Elliott, who was unbeatable at every stage of almost any race). I wasn't a "sitter" by any means, but a Jack-of-all-trades racer who took races anyway they were offered up. I also believe in doing special training to change speeds instantly; this I did during the three hours in the woods of Surrey. I sprinted every 100 metres - especially up hills - throughout the three hours until my mind and body were infinitely strong. As a result, a race of hard surges which was hard on the rest of the guys, was easy for me to handle.

Of course, I am writing here about the very top level of my training and racing capacity. It must be emphasized that it took me many years to get to this level. In order to reach such an incredible capacity yourself, you must be willing to train and race non-stop for six to eight years. I went against all advice except that of Gerschler and Zatopek in those days, for example by running multiple races in major meets - like the hard international 1,500-metre race at Bislet Stadium in Oslo followed by a win in the 5,000 metres a few minutes later against most of the best runners in the world. At the age of 14, I won an Army Cadets' Junior Mile race, then ran a few minutes later to place second in the Senior Race in an identical time. Though now I am against multiple races for young runners, and believe it is important that young runners do not train intensively before 17 or 18 years of age - I did it! Everyone in England, even though they were only aware of half the story, criticised the incredible training and racing I was doing.

I survived against all the ideas of the so-called experts. I had made up my mind to be one of the best racers in the world, and it took me eight years of ultra-volume running to get to the top; I was not a gifted runner. It wasn't uncommon for me to run more than 12,000 miles a year during the 1950s, in training which took more than six hours on some days, and required an incredible effort most mortals would cringe at. The point of all this is that there need be no limits to your achievements, so long as you are willing to keep at it. Limitations are always self-imposed. However, I know now that a runner can get the best results on rather less than the ultra-marathon preparations I made.

On days when you don't feel like running hard, always try to do some running - Gerschler's rules required a minimum of an hour a day of easy "footing" (assuming one bears in mind the safety controls described elsewhere in this book). One day in 1956, at the track in Croydon, England, I felt lethargic but still jogged around for half an hour. I felt better so then did a few 100-metre strides in my spikes and started to get going. Then I decided to run softly a 3/4 mile trial. I chose 69 secs speed, which I considered jogging speed, because I usually ran 3 minutes. Then I ran a 440-yard jog. I felt better and better and finished up by running 8x3/4 miles in averages of 3m 27secs. That was a nice easy day of running with no stress - a total of 2 hrs 35 minutes and a weight training session of 30 minutes. An easy day! A hard day would include the same type of training but much more intense speeds.

I want to stress once again that I cannot do such things today, and only runners in super-human condition can get away with this kind of training, and then only after many years of hard effort. The average runner will end up in hospital if he or she attempts this kind of training. Moderate your efforts according to your fitness and ability, and do what you enjoy. I always enjoy my running."