This is the first time I’ve signed up for a race just 4 days out from race day!

In 2020, I ran the 56 km and hadn’t planned to run this year. The event had been booked out for months and I’d been injured for much of the second half of 2020. Although I was on the mend, I was coming from a low training base.

I received a message from a friend a few days out from the race. Due to easing COVID restrictions, more spots had opened up! I had never seriously considered entering but couldn’t resist the invitation.

A good friend (Lachie) had been training for months to do the 56 km. So of course, when my other mate, Matt, registered for the 28 km at the last minute, I signed up to join him. 

As I had done the 56 km event before, I was not unfamiliar with the terrain and knew what to expect. 

An early morning start, Matt and I headed to Dromana, discussing our expected finish times, COVID restrictions and new changes to aid distribution at the hydration stations. We also worked out what we would be doing for lunch afterwards. We had our priorities right!

We arrived and parked close to the start line. Got our gear together and went to the registration tent. As we had entered that week, we got a generic race bib. Not the beautifully crafted, personalised bibs that runners receive when they sign up more than a few days out. It would do.

We started in waves for the first time in the event’s history. Although I hadn’t competed in the 28 km event before, I really enjoyed the wave start and relatively few competitors as we moved off from the start line. When I’d run the 56 km event, there had been several stages early on where it had become congested and runners were slowed. Not a big issue, but nice to avoid. 

Due to the smaller training base I came into the race with, along with a niggling knee injury, I planned to take this race a little easier. Running with Matt, we determined that we would just enjoy the experience after being in COVID isolation and locked up for so long. We would walk the steep uphills, take it easy on the flats and stretch our legs on the downhills.

As we made our way up Arthur’s Seat, we were able to enjoy the views over Dromana and Port Phillip Bay. Spectacular views but not many specific viewing areas. The steep uphill in the first 3 kms of the event was not unexpected, significantly easier than it was the previous year as part of the 56 km event (with more than 23 km already under the belt at that point!). 

For first timers looking to attempt either of the events, a recce (reconnaissance) of the course ahead of time is well worth the effort. In the past, there have been organised group runs in the weeks leading up to the event advertised on the Two Bays Trail Run Facebook Page. 

Turning off the road up Arthur’s Seat, the course moves on to a compacted rock ground with reasonable traction. You are still moving uphill, but the course flattens out soon after. The Two Bays Walking Track then moves down past Mclarens Dam and into the streets section.

At this stage, I was still feeling good. My legs were feeling fresh after the ascent and descent over Arthurs Seat. At the 8 km mark, we were hovering around 5:35 /km which was reasonable for the amount of walking we had done. Still moving well, we were able to enjoy the cheers from the spectators we passed out enjoying their Sunday morning, coffees in hand.

We continued up Hyslops Road. The compacted surface presents a good opportunity to move up the field if you’re feeling good. To those doing the 56 km event, this means a long gradual ascent when returning to Cape Schanck. The winery, paddocks and animals were a welcome distraction.

At this point, the leaders from the 56 km course ran past us in the opposite direction, flying downhill toward the turnaround point. They were all moving well, focused on their goal. We saw 20 or so runners before we turned off into our own section of Greens Bush. We hoped to see another mate, Lachie, but were disappointed. We hoped he was putting in a good race of his own!

As we ran further into Greens Bush, I remembered why I enjoyed this section so much last time. The winding single track enables runners to move quickly and churn through the kilometres whilst appreciating the vegetation and colourful outlook. At this point, we were on track for a sub 3 hr finish. We weren’t too focused on our final time though. Just out enjoying the sunshine!

Before reaching Boneo Road, the trail opens and provides much less shade than the earlier part of Greens Bush. By this time, it was approaching 9:30 and it was starting to heat up. Matt was beginning to cramp up, preventing him from moving freely. We started to walk more frequently. Time was ticking away and the 3 hr finish was looking in doubt.

We crossed Boneo Road to the cheers of spectators and entered the final section of the course before reaching Cape Schanck. 5 km to go… only 1 Parkrun! It was heating up, but the thought of the finish spurred us on. Reaching the infamous 100 steps (well, not quite, but it felt like 100), we stormed up them determined to get to the end. The views over Bushranger Bay demanded a short break to take some photos.

Twisting and turning through the final kilometre, we could hear the race caller. The number of spectators increased as we pushed toward the finish. We rounded corner after corner expecting to see the finish. Where was it? 

We ran up the final ascent and crossed the line, being cheered on by the crowd the whole way. Tired but elated we cooled off in the shade, enjoying a hard-earned lemonade. I stopped the watch at 3 hrs 10 min, which was slower than expected but enabled us to make the most of the fantastic course off the back of our limited training.

We waited at the finish line with some friends for Lachie to finish the 56 km. The lack of shade made it difficult as it was heating up. The struggling phone coverage also hindered our communication with others we were meeting. It felt much quieter than the previous year as people were encouraged to move along.

Although I wasn’t expecting to compete in this event in 2021, I’m glad I did. The organisation of the race and the summer vibes – on top of the great course – all add to the experience. The medals are also second to none! I’ll do the Two Bays Trail Run again. Whether to tackle the monster 56 km and chase a Personal Best (PB) or go out fast and chase a top 50 in the 28 km event is a decision for another day. Either way, a better lead up with minimal injury (and COVID) disruption and a dedicated training block will go a long way!

My 10 Two Bays Trail Run tips:

1. Don’t be afraid to walk the uphills. Everyone will (except perhaps the race leaders). 
2. Watch the ascent and descent on the back of Arthurs Seat. Quad burner!
3. Hydrate/fuel early and often. Not as important in the 28 km but essential in the 56 km.
4. Be Encouraging! Give kudos. Dish out some High 5s or elbow bumps!
5. Watch out for snakes. Carry a snake bandage.
6. Study the elevation profile. Work out where the hills are and pace yourself. 
7. Remember the stairs when approaching the Cape Schanck Lighthouse. Tough!
8. Wear a hat/visor/sunglasses. Can get hot toward the end. Minimal shade. 
9. Bring a camera/phone and take some pics of the amazing views!
10. Enjoy the day out!

Stats

Distance: 27.16 km 

Elapsed Time: 3:10:11 

Pace: 7:00 /km

Weather: Cool 15°C 

Nutrition/Hydration: SIS Gels, Water. 

Gear: Ciele Cap, Goodr OG’s Sunglasses, Garmin Forerunner 235, Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set Backpack, Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts, Salomon Running Shirt, Injinji Crew Toe Socks, Asics Sonoma’s.

Finished: Position 304 out of 536

Strava: Check it out Here

Check out my Upcoming Race Schedule 2021