Day two had me arriving at Parry’s ahead of my crew, which is probably the first time in five years I’ve beaten Marky Mark to an aid station. I rang Mark who informed me he was stuck behind a tractor so made myself comfortable at the aid station and tucked into some superb pumpkin soup, the same batch from Dog Road the previous day. It tasted just as good maybe even better as it had matured? and I was hungrier as I moved towards the finish line.

The video below shows me leaving Boat Harbour heading towards Parry’s beach and struggling to talk and think, that’s Delirious.

Had a good run into Parry’s and caught, and ran over,  quite a few 100 milers. As there was only two 200 miler’s infront of me, and by a few hours, there was little catching to be done in my race.  I’d bumped into Graham Merrett earlier in the race coming into Boat Harbour. Left him there with two 100 miler runners and he followed me into Parry’s. He either left before me or ran over the top of me but I wouldn’t see him again until we got to Nallaki aid station.  We then ran together for a few kilometres before I left him again and we met up at Lowlands and together with John Philips, and their two pacers, and Carien formed a great little bus for the Lowlands to Cosy Corner leg, one of the hardest in my view as it’s always late at night on the third night and you’re bloody goosed !

Right back to the race, I left Parry’s beach and headed towards Monkey Rocks alone before Ben Pyman caught me and we ran together for a bit on the soft sand. I was walking for most of the beach trying to conserve some energy for what was to come, another day and night on the trails. I eventually caught Ben and left him as we both came off the beach and onto a nasty hill or three. I’d forgotten how brutal the hills were off the beach and really started to struggle. Ben was also finding it difficult, but he passed me as I sat in a hut and chewed the fat with a hiker and his son.  Eventually I felt good enough to continue and this rest gave me a new lease of life and I was off towards Monkey Rocks, passing Ben for the last time. It’s amazing how sometimes just sitting down for ten minutes can make such a difference, just enough time for legs to reset.  I ran well into Monkey Rocks as I knew Renne and Kris would be there with one of Renne’s aid station meals, in this case lamb and rice. It was spectacular.

This year we had to do Monkey Rocks twice as Denmark Council didn’t want us in the town due to the school holidays.  I had been dreading this as I’m not a big fan of Monkey Rocks as it’s a big climb and a lot of it is unrunable, clambering over rocks, as the name suggests albeit not sure where the monkeys come into it? As it was, once I got over the first climb the out and back wasn’t as bad as I envisaged and I raced back to make the shuttle bus, on the hour, and treat myself to some more lamb and rice. I made it by about two minutes.  As I was on the out section I saw Carien on the way back so knew I was probably about an hour behind her, so still third overall and second male.  I must admit it wasn’t all plain sailing, and I made a video to remind myself how bad the segment was but it’s not for airing publicly.  On the bright side apparently, we’re not running Monkey Rocks next year, at all.

Sometimes on the trail you just need to stop and take stock of your surroundings, Friday night was one of those times.  The legs were behaving themselves; the trail was very good underfoot and conducive to running and the sunset was just beautiful.  Alone with my thoughts and just where I wanted to be, my happy place. These moments make the entrance fee and all that training so worth it, it’s why I do what I do.

I made Lowlands before sunset, just, and sprinted into the aid station, I really felt fresh as a daisy. I was reminded though of a few years ago when I had over indulged at Lowlands and ate another steak when it was pure greed dictating my appetite. Thirty minutes later I was laying on the side of the trail in total darkness regretting my decisions before Alexis Oosterhoff found me and dragged me to Shelly’s aid station, kicking and screaming.  This year I ordered a sweet tea and before I knew it I also had a bacon and egg wrap in my grubby paws, and it was so, so good.

As I said earlier Graham came in just after me and we decided we’d go out together, Carian had arrived before us but was keen for some company so for the third night we’d run together, John Phillips was also there with my good friend Jim Farr as his pacer. Together with Graham’s pacer the six of us set of into the night on the last long leg towards Cosy Corner. The last two years I had struggled with this section and that was with a break at Shelly’s , this year there was no Shelly’s aid station as the council wouldn’t allow us into the car park, so we had to run the whole leg, nearly twenty four kilometres.

The first seven or so kilometres from Lowlands is mainly uphill, logical I suppose coming from an aid station called lowlands ? I knew what was coming unlike the other five runners so warned them that there would be some serious hiking ahead of us before some great running to finish off past the Albany sign. Carien and I were the only 200 milers in the group of six , including two pacers, so we found ourselves at the back of the pack hanging on for most of the time. Remember we had an extra one hundred miles in our legs.  Eventually Carien fell off the back with about four kilometres to go to Cosy Corner. I offered to stay with her but she was happy to let me stay with the bus. That was the last I saw of Carien as she finished a few hours behind me to take the first female and a massive PB, brilliant running!

Post Cosy Corner we mainly walked to Mutton Car Park which was fine with me. The two 100 mile runners, Graham and John, were keen to chase down a few more positions if they could and there was another miler runner behind us. Once we hit the trails the pace quickened and we moved towards the last aid station, Shazza’s.  I held on until we got to the aid station but I was done.  The four of them left me and continued the battle for a higher top ten 100 mile finish without me. I was left to struggle through the last ten or so kilometres alone as the sun rose for the last time.

Eventually I bumped into my support Warwick Crapper and we ran the last few kilomteres to Jeff’s tree together and then stumbled, and I mean stumbled, to the finish line. As it was an out and back we saw Graham and his support runner had gained a few places and John and Jim followed them. They both looked very quick compared to my 200-miler death march, no worries, I was going to grab a well-earned second place and sub seventy-two hours finish. My second fastest time for my six finishes.

The only issue with finishing at the front of the pack is the finish line is almost empty when you eventually stumble over the line. On the bright side at least, it was light as Warwick and I did our celebratory shoey and even added a fireball shot afterwards, though not sure that was a good idea. I dragged Graham and John into the shot round so we all suffered together.

All that was to do now was the public showers in Albany for a hot shower and change of clothes before a full English fry up and then settle back to the finish to cheer on the rest of the finishers.  We hung around for a few hours before retiring to our rental property to prepare for dinner and then a great night’s sleep. Trust me Saturday night you sleep like a baby.

The only time I met the 200-mile winner was at the finish, and briefly as he ran over me about ten kilometres into the event days previously. Chris would have ran most, if not all, of the course alone but he got the job done and was a well-deserved winner. Speaking to him afterwards he has a wealth of ultra running experience and I hope we can race together again soon.  Chris is a teacher from over Queensland and I think next year the dates are ok for him to come over, so I hope he comes to defend his title. Carien has ran Delirious twice now and is looking at other events but Delirious can get under your skin and before you know it, you’re rocking up for an eighth time.

Sunday is all about the award ceremony where Shaun calls up every finisher to present them with their finishers trophy and watching the last of the competitors come home. This is a special day and we were treated to great conditions compared to the torrential rain we had the previous year.  I love Sunday as everybody is together in one place excited about the race and all with stories to share, it’s a magical time with the tribe.

As we finished packing up the event the last runner arrived, shoe less and short less. Jamie had DNF’d the two previous years but this year he made it, albeit a few hours outside cut off, with Delirious this is not an issue and a medal was awarded as well as a finishing time. Jamie is a real character and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Everybody who stayed around witnessed what Delirious West is all about, grim determination, getting the job done with a smile. Mark and I drove him to his hotel and made sure he got to his bed for a well-earned sleep. He was in a bad way, but the beer and shots would have helped, initially.  I’m, sure he’ll be back next year and finish well within cut off and maybe with some trail shoes and a pair of shorts?

The last tradition for the Delirious West 200 miler is the photo of Mark and I in the Earl of Spencer pub with a Guiness. Normally I’d finish two pints but the last couple of years I’ve only managed one, a sign of getting older I suppose. As long as my finishing time gets quicker, I’m happy dropping the second pint. So Delirious West 2026 delivered, my second fastest finish and equal best overall position, so much so I’ve already entered next year and I’m extra excited with the prospect of an event sell out as Shaun Kaesler partners up with the Tor de Geants team. It sounds like big things panned for #DW27, see you on the start line.

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Big shout out to fisiocrem , this product is just incredible for tired and aching legs. I use it daily and have noticed a vast improvement in recovery.

Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ )  The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products)  can be difficult to digest later in the event.  From the website :-

As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority. 

In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance. 

In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born. 

BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work! 

BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!

What can I say about HumanTecar,  ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !

Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.

Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )

T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in.  It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong,  storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)

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