And for todays trick i will win a KJ's trophy race.

The AC Mitchell Memorial Trophy 2006 winner R2B!!

Presented to the winner on handicap of the nominated 4 mile event at Mt Kembla. In memory of former KJ Roy Mitchell's father and donated to the club by Roy in 1977.

"Early in the formative years of the Kembla Joggers we ran and organised races without trophies or prizes. There was no money in the club coffers and it was unlikely that we would ever have any. However around 1977 Roy Mitchell, who I introduced to running at 58 years of age, asked me if he could donate a trophy in memory of his father AC Mitchell. Before the words were even out of his mouth I had him at the trophy manufacturers. And so a shield was produced with the inscription 'A.C.Mitchell Memorial Trophy'. As this was our first ever trophy it rapidly became full and Roy was approached a few years ago about having it enlarged but he insisted on another shield similar to the first. I only wish there were more philanthropists like Roy around. Now the winner of this popular event takes home two shields – the old and the new. Incidentally, Roy went on to contest 10 City to Surf's culminating in his participation in a Kembla Joggers over 60 team which gained a placing. Many thanks Roy." ...Bill Williamson

The 4 mile event at Mt Kembla has a long and proud history within the club as one of the original KJ events. The race is held on a simple out and back course along the bitumen section of road with the turn-around just past the gate where the dirt road begins. Although the course has fundamentally never changed, Bill claims that the original course 'started and finished closer to the cattle-grid' and that the turn-around point was 'a few extra yards up the road'. With this in mind we can only admire the times set by the original KJs in the 70's and early 80's some of which still stand today as age-group records or top-10 performances.

During the 90's the trophy has been decided on the new 7km course which incorporates much of the old 4 mile course but deviates along the pumpstation road and then onto the dirt road for a short distance. This wasn't by choice but due mainly to Waterboard requests to avoid running through the Dam village. In 1995 it was held on a temporary 7km course from Kembla Heights Bowling Club when access to our Mt Kembla courses was restricted altogether.

Like most of our trophies, the shield is awarded to first home on handicap (with some strings attached) – presently you must have run in at least 3 recent events. The list of previous winners reveals some still familiar faces within the KJs including Kerryn Hindmarsh (now McCann) who won in 1978 at 11 years of age in a PB time of 28.03. The winner of the inaugural event was local soccer player Andrew Campbell.

Taken from my clubs website.

Now this was one toughy of a race,a little hilly and i am happy to say it was my longest run ever without walking! ;D

Forgot my techno gizmo Garmin as i left for the race after dealing with some errant tradesmen at my house knocking down walls so i was nervous of being late (bad habit #6059)so i called El Presidente and got my handicap otherwise i would have been a back marker.

I'm not a great distance runner but i am improving everyday as i learn to train consistantly without injury .Which can be tough with 12hr shifts and a young family.Early morning runs after a 12hr nightshift are common for me!

Felt ok today after i got over my fluster of almostrunning late.Pasco was complaining about my running to me.I just had to ignore him besides I got my revenge on him after his baiting in the last 4 weeks! ::)

Concentrated on running "comfortably hard" through the stages with a constant 180 steps/min

Splits were
500m 1:52
1k 2:03
2.4k 5:24 (9:19 first 2.4km)
3.3k 4:09 (Halfway 13:29 4:05/km Av)
4.2k 3:51
5.5k 5:26
6.6k 4:27 (9:53 last 2.4km) (Second Half 13:45 4:10/km Av) Total 27:14

I was hurting a little the whole way.
As i got to the halfway mark i counted about 22? runners still in front of me but as i learned in the W2 track race final i just had to keep reeling the next runner in and keep going.
Finally with about 800m to go i caught up with Janice and then i looked back hoping none of the quicks were on my tail!
I was running scared just after the halfway mark anyhow as some of the quicks weren't far behind!

Looking at my splits i was really going for it but i didnt know it at the time as i was hurting and pushing myself hard.I remembered Hazels words at the track on Thursday night "Adrian,your not driving!"
This had a double meaning i thought (i run like i'm holding a steering wheel when i'm not hands on hips!) so i dropped my arms down low as Eric keeps telling me to and just "drove" forward!

I was really hurting in the finishing straight i thought "ok if i fall over now and twist my ankle i'll just have to crawl over the line" such was my (crazy maniac) focus.Needn't have worried as second place finished 43 seconds behind me.Icrossed the finish line and i wanted to drink desperately.I really staggered to the drink table and would have toppled over if i didnt grab a hold of it!

Ann Asher was sure i was going to faint and ready to call for an ambulance but fortunately i held it together!

When El Presidente announced the winner and Robert Eardley presented the perpetual shield (i get to keep it for a year and it gets engraved with my name!)
All i could say on the microphone was "that really hurt!"
I wished i had said thanks to all the great people who give their time and energy to making this club special!
So i do that now ,Thanks to everyone!

My Time 27:14

Kerryn McCann holds the ladies course record here 22:13 set in 2005,Now i know that i am extra chuffed!!

Photo to post when photographer can get out of bed due to 'flu.

Happy Running,
R2B