On May 18, fifteen participants from Mackay representing Tri-ActiV8 embarked on the challenge of a lifetime at the Great Wall Marathon in China.
The team tackled various distances, two participants competed in the 8.5km Fun Run, one in the 21km race, and 12 took on the full 42km marathon.
Selena Corness, a volunteer and participant from Tri-ActiV8, shared insights into their journey.
“We have a strong team spirit and sense of adventure amongst our tribe. When a few of us decided to register, suddenly a lot more jumped on board.”
Selena said preparation for the marathon’s unique challenges was crucial.
“Head Coach, Director and participant Nikki Giles created individual and group training plans for the athletes, incorporating long-distance running, elevation, stair climbs, strength training, and running efforts.
“Athletes were also encouraged to develop their own fuelling plan to support their body’s needs during the race.”
Selena said that running along the Great Wall of China was an unforgettable experience for the team, even though the Great Wall Marathon is known for its physical and mental demands.
“The Great Wall is in a mountainous picturesque setting that is awe-inspiring and is a magnificent feat of engineering. It was amazing to have this section closed off to us for the race and to compete where the wall is the feature.
“The secret is in the preparation and understanding what your body needs to compete in and complete such a gruelling event. Getting your fuelling right during the race is key to ensuring your body can go the distance and completing the 5,164 stairs.”
The cultural and historical significance of the marathon added to the experience and there were plenty of memorable moments for the whole team.
“Doing it as a group made the experience more memorable and fun. The camaraderie of the tribe is amazing. We all get along so well and support each other in so many ways.
“Towards the end of the marathon, when we were completing the second run along the wall in the reverse direction, there were a lot of shared moments of pain, cramping, sharing gels, and buying soft drinks to push the body over the final 2,582 stairs and 562m of elevation. At the finish line, we all reunited one by one. So many smiles, stories, and hugs.”
Training in Mackay played a crucial role in their preparation. From Blacks Beach stairs and internal fire escape stairs in high-rise buildings, to efforts on local hills like High Street and Mt Bassatt, even tackling Conway Circuit to help the athletes condition their legs and bodies.
“There was lots of group training in the lead-up to the event. During the marathon, some athletes paired up, while others caught up to each other along the way, giving words of encouragement and not letting each other give up.
“Everybody’s race and endurance were different, and everyone took from it different personal experiences about what they could have done differently and what they did well. As a tribe traveling to an event together, it reinforced the strength of our Tri-ActiV8 bond.”
Top Tri-ActiV8 finishers for the marathon from included Jose Short (1st in Age Group), Sam Sticklan (9th Overall Female), Emily Wicks (6th in Age Group) and Angus Wicks (2nd in Age Group).
Looking ahead, Tri-ActiV8 has more adventures on the horizon.
“There are a number of athletes competing in the Cairns Ironman series and the Whitsunday Trail Fest. There are always more things in the pipeline, and that’s the excitement of being a part of Tri-ActiV8. You never know what is going to happen next and which part of the world our tribe will be in next!”