Frankston To Portsea 2016

44th Annual Frankston to Portsea Road Race 55km/34 miles

Sunday April 3rd 2016

By Kevin Cassidy

 

1. Cameron Hall 4:30:02
1. Mike Manders 4:30:02
3. Tim Kenington 4:59:52
4. Richard Matison 5:03:49
5. Gabor Jakus 5:08:25
6. Frank Palermo 6:04:19
7. Paul Spencer 6:07:42
8. Jon Lim 6:18:32
9. Brian Glover 7:15:19
10. Peter Gray 11:30:47

 

Report by Kevin Cassidy

Having frequented the area for most of my adult life, there was really no excuse other than my own muddle headedness for driving several kilometres past Frankston before it dawned on me that I had motored much further than I should have. With ample time up my sleeve, I was able to double back without being late.

A few heads had already started to gather as I pulled into our regular meeting spot in the car park behind “The Deck” nightclub.

By 7am, nine runners responded to my mumbled word of “Go” and the 44th edition of this long standing tradition was underway.

Tim Kenington established a commanding lead which he held for the first 40km. Richard Matison, who had been lurking for some time, then pounced. His lead was short lived as Mike Manders and Cameron Hall overtook both Richard and Tim with an excellent display of consistent and well-judged running. Mike and Cameron stuck together all the way to the finish to be declared joint winners.

Other highlights included Brian Glover looking much more orange than usual. A new outfit seemed to dazzle like never before.

Frankie Palermo was also up for the challenge by attempting a 110km round trip back to Frankston. Ultimately he called it a day at the Rosebud caravan park having clocked up 73km.

Runners were also treated to the support and encouragement of Kate “Mumma Two Bays” Ablett as they chugged and charged past the Dromana Information Centre.

In the main, the day ran smoothly with the exception being my slight detour to indulge in a life inducing Diet Coke at a nearby shop. Hoping to dash in and out quickly, I got seriously delayed behind a rather rotund woman buying up a huge stock of magazines. With my patience rapidly diminishing, I stood behind her in an agitated state as she purchased the Women’s Weekly, Cleo, Cosmopolitan, New Idea, Who Weekly and numerous other versions of the trashiest women’s magazines you could imagine.

Finally escaping and needing to dash down the highway to the finish, I found myself putt-putting along behind a hat-wearing grandpa in a rusty blue 70s model Volvo. Steam was pouring out my ears by then.

It all happens again in 2017 on April 2.

Check out all the details at www.frankstontoportsea.com.au