Wanda Foley passed away suddenly this morning. Her husband Mark has asked that we share this sad news with her fellow runners. Apparantly she suffered a brain annurrism during a yoga session. Mark said she was happy, healthy with no indication of any problems and they were enjoying life. Wanda was 61.
For those who don't know Wanda was a huge and passionate runner with Western Districts Joggers & Harriers. She has a trophy named after her at the Brindabella Classic race and was a completed 702km at the 1990 Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run. She still holds the over-40 female road records for 48hrs (228km) and 6days (619km).
Wanda began running in 1984, joining Western District joggers and her ABC Radio work jogging team. She ran four Marathons between 84 and 85 ranging from 3
hrs 52 minutes and 4 hrs 13 minutes. By 1987, she had run 11 marathons in places as varied as Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Townsville and Honolulu. A fellow ABC radio team runner, big Chris Stephenson, had talked her into running the 1986 Bathurst 50mile ultra Marathon - a race she enjoyed immensely and finished in 9hrs 15 mins. …and in 1987 she entered the Sydney Striders 24 hour, which she finished managing 157.5km at her first attempt. In 1988 she ran three marathons, the Six Foot
Track Trail race, three 24 hour races breaking 100 miles twice (Coburg and Campbelltown and finally entered the Campbelltown 6 Day Race. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. Due to the Fishers Ghost Festival, the oval was being used by a carnival so the 6 Day race was staged on the access
road to the ovals and incorporated footpath and a nasty downhill section. This race has since been classified as a 'road race'. Kevin Mansell ran 161km on day one and struggled with a painful knee which he eventually overcame and finished first with 902.5km Wanda was seventh, first lady, with 619km. In the 1989 6 day race at Campbelltown, Wanda was armed with more knowledge and determination. She finished forth behind Dave Taylor, Pat Farmer and Ralph Bristow with 659.5km and was first female beating Georgina McConnell, Val Warren and Lucille Gladwell.
So Wanda was primed and ready for her 1990 Sydney to Melbourne attempt. Her good friend, Keith O'Connell, was Crew Manager. One of Wanda's weekly training runs was an overnight effort starting at the Ampol Crossroads at Liverpool. Many of the crew would take turns running with Wanda as we headed through Liverpool, down Woodville Road to Parramatta, into the City via Parramatta Road and back to Ampol Crossroads via Cantebury Road. These overnighters became very popular and were usually held Friday night, and many of us would then head to western Districts for the Saturday morning run afterwards. Others to run with us included Dave Taylor, Bob Fickel, Shaun Scanlon and Keith O Connell - all Westfield competitors. When Wanda Foley looked liked pulling out after two days of the race, Cliff was to reassure her with a few kind words. "The conditions are terrible this year. There was rain and hailstones and all sorts of things. I really felt for them last night
when I curled up in my nice warm bed." Said Cliff whilst talking about his newfound job on the race. Wanda Foley ended up pulling out of the race at the 702km. It was a truly remarkable effort.
This is her race story:
Right from the start, the weather turned nasty with consistent rain right through the first day. Wanda covered 147km on day one, and had minor stomach problems. On day two she reached Canberra and finished the day with 127km. From here the weather got worse. Rain now turned to sleet as we headed for the high country. Approaching Cooma, the air temperature was -5 celsius but the wind chill factor was much colder. Wanda began to be blown off the road by the fierce cross winds and we had a crew member on the side of the road to catch her and prevent her falling each time this happened. This continued for hours until we reached Cooma, and by now we were having trouble keeping Wanda's energy levels up. She was wearing: long tights, long sleeved silk shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, sloppy joe, silk balaclava, gloves, beanie and a gore tex running suit - and still felt the cold. Some of the road sections between Bombala and Cann River had black ice which was an added hazard for runners and crew. By now Wanda had developed shinsplints as a result of the long sections of walking (unexpectedly) - these shinsplints were obviously
painful, swelling like tennis balls on the front of Wanda's shins. We iced these regularly, including making Wanda sit with her legs in an esky of ice during her rest breaks in the van, a particularly cruel thing to do given the severe cold weather but it was necessary and it relieved the swelling enough to be able to then strap the shins. We kept this up and actually began to get the injury under control as we did with the blisters and swollen toe problems. Unfortunately this stress was having an effect on Wanda's stomach and she became regularly ill. No amount of re-hydration or food was enough to get this under control and she was reduced to mainly walking, eventually leading to the race doctor convincing her to withdraw from the race, citing exhaustion, south of Lakes Entrance, completing 702km.
Full Version: Wanda Foley R.i.p.
I am very saddened to hear about the death of Wanda and offer Mark & her family my deepest condolences on behalf of myself, my family & SMC. I had the honour of knowing & running with Wanda & Mark many times when they lived in Sydney. Her death, coming so close on the heels of Ian Green is devestating to all the running community. She left a huge mark on the ultramarathon running scene & will be deeply missed.
Thanks Kev. Sad loss indeed. I met Wanda at my first race which was a 12 hour track in Canberra in the 80's. Lovely lady. Also met her and spoke with her a couple of times when I was researching for the Westfield Book. Always very helpful. Yes. My condolences to you Mark and your family
To Mark and Wanda's family our sincere condolences. I will always remember those Friday night runs it was great training and great times and fun.
I ran in many event with Wanda and Mark was always there to surport her.
We will always remember Bob and Anni F
I ran in many event with Wanda and Mark was always there to surport her.
We will always remember Bob and Anni F
QUOTE (KevinTiller @ Apr 22 2007, 10:35 PM) 
Wanda Foley passed away suddenly this morning. Her husband Mark has asked that we share this sad news with her fellow runners. Apparantly she suffered a brain annurrism during a yoga session. Mark said she was happy, healthy with no indication of any problems and they were enjoying life. Wanda was 61.
For those who don't know Wanda was a huge and passionate runner with Western Districts Joggers & Harriers. She has a trophy named after her at the Brindabella Classic race and was a completed 702km at the 1990 Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run. She still holds the over-40 female road records for 48hrs (228km) and 6days (619km).
Wanda began running in 1984, joining Western District joggers and her ABC Radio work jogging team. She ran four Marathons between 84 and 85 ranging from 3
hrs 52 minutes and 4 hrs 13 minutes. By 1987, she had run 11 marathons in places as varied as Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Townsville and Honolulu. A fellow ABC radio team runner, big Chris Stephenson, had talked her into running the 1986 Bathurst 50mile ultra Marathon - a race she enjoyed immensely and finished in 9hrs 15 mins. …and in 1987 she entered the Sydney Striders 24 hour, which she finished managing 157.5km at her first attempt. In 1988 she ran three marathons, the Six Foot
Track Trail race, three 24 hour races breaking 100 miles twice (Coburg and Campbelltown and finally entered the Campbelltown 6 Day Race. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. Due to the Fishers Ghost Festival, the oval was being used by a carnival so the 6 Day race was staged on the access
road to the ovals and incorporated footpath and a nasty downhill section. This race has since been classified as a 'road race'. Kevin Mansell ran 161km on day one and struggled with a painful knee which he eventually overcame and finished first with 902.5km Wanda was seventh, first lady, with 619km. In the 1989 6 day race at Campbelltown, Wanda was armed with more knowledge and determination. She finished forth behind Dave Taylor, Pat Farmer and Ralph Bristow with 659.5km and was first female beating Georgina McConnell, Val Warren and Lucille Gladwell.
So Wanda was primed and ready for her 1990 Sydney to Melbourne attempt. Her good friend, Keith O'Connell, was Crew Manager. One of Wanda's weekly training runs was an overnight effort starting at the Ampol Crossroads at Liverpool. Many of the crew would take turns running with Wanda as we headed through Liverpool, down Woodville Road to Parramatta, into the City via Parramatta Road and back to Ampol Crossroads via Cantebury Road. These overnighters became very popular and were usually held Friday night, and many of us would then head to western Districts for the Saturday morning run afterwards. Others to run with us included Dave Taylor, Bob Fickel, Shaun Scanlon and Keith O Connell - all Westfield competitors. When Wanda Foley looked liked pulling out after two days of the race, Cliff was to reassure her with a few kind words. "The conditions are terrible this year. There was rain and hailstones and all sorts of things. I really felt for them last night
when I curled up in my nice warm bed." Said Cliff whilst talking about his newfound job on the race. Wanda Foley ended up pulling out of the race at the 702km. It was a truly remarkable effort.
This is her race story:
Right from the start, the weather turned nasty with consistent rain right through the first day. Wanda covered 147km on day one, and had minor stomach problems. On day two she reached Canberra and finished the day with 127km. From here the weather got worse. Rain now turned to sleet as we headed for the high country. Approaching Cooma, the air temperature was -5 celsius but the wind chill factor was much colder. Wanda began to be blown off the road by the fierce cross winds and we had a crew member on the side of the road to catch her and prevent her falling each time this happened. This continued for hours until we reached Cooma, and by now we were having trouble keeping Wanda's energy levels up. She was wearing: long tights, long sleeved silk shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, sloppy joe, silk balaclava, gloves, beanie and a gore tex running suit - and still felt the cold. Some of the road sections between Bombala and Cann River had black ice which was an added hazard for runners and crew. By now Wanda had developed shinsplints as a result of the long sections of walking (unexpectedly) - these shinsplints were obviously
painful, swelling like tennis balls on the front of Wanda's shins. We iced these regularly, including making Wanda sit with her legs in an esky of ice during her rest breaks in the van, a particularly cruel thing to do given the severe cold weather but it was necessary and it relieved the swelling enough to be able to then strap the shins. We kept this up and actually began to get the injury under control as we did with the blisters and swollen toe problems. Unfortunately this stress was having an effect on Wanda's stomach and she became regularly ill. No amount of re-hydration or food was enough to get this under control and she was reduced to mainly walking, eventually leading to the race doctor convincing her to withdraw from the race, citing exhaustion, south of Lakes Entrance, completing 702km.
For those who don't know Wanda was a huge and passionate runner with Western Districts Joggers & Harriers. She has a trophy named after her at the Brindabella Classic race and was a completed 702km at the 1990 Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run. She still holds the over-40 female road records for 48hrs (228km) and 6days (619km).
Wanda began running in 1984, joining Western District joggers and her ABC Radio work jogging team. She ran four Marathons between 84 and 85 ranging from 3
hrs 52 minutes and 4 hrs 13 minutes. By 1987, she had run 11 marathons in places as varied as Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Townsville and Honolulu. A fellow ABC radio team runner, big Chris Stephenson, had talked her into running the 1986 Bathurst 50mile ultra Marathon - a race she enjoyed immensely and finished in 9hrs 15 mins. …and in 1987 she entered the Sydney Striders 24 hour, which she finished managing 157.5km at her first attempt. In 1988 she ran three marathons, the Six Foot
Track Trail race, three 24 hour races breaking 100 miles twice (Coburg and Campbelltown and finally entered the Campbelltown 6 Day Race. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. This was the first of these events and was held next to Bradbury Oval, organised by John Shaw and Dave Taylor. Due to the Fishers Ghost Festival, the oval was being used by a carnival so the 6 Day race was staged on the access
road to the ovals and incorporated footpath and a nasty downhill section. This race has since been classified as a 'road race'. Kevin Mansell ran 161km on day one and struggled with a painful knee which he eventually overcame and finished first with 902.5km Wanda was seventh, first lady, with 619km. In the 1989 6 day race at Campbelltown, Wanda was armed with more knowledge and determination. She finished forth behind Dave Taylor, Pat Farmer and Ralph Bristow with 659.5km and was first female beating Georgina McConnell, Val Warren and Lucille Gladwell.
So Wanda was primed and ready for her 1990 Sydney to Melbourne attempt. Her good friend, Keith O'Connell, was Crew Manager. One of Wanda's weekly training runs was an overnight effort starting at the Ampol Crossroads at Liverpool. Many of the crew would take turns running with Wanda as we headed through Liverpool, down Woodville Road to Parramatta, into the City via Parramatta Road and back to Ampol Crossroads via Cantebury Road. These overnighters became very popular and were usually held Friday night, and many of us would then head to western Districts for the Saturday morning run afterwards. Others to run with us included Dave Taylor, Bob Fickel, Shaun Scanlon and Keith O Connell - all Westfield competitors. When Wanda Foley looked liked pulling out after two days of the race, Cliff was to reassure her with a few kind words. "The conditions are terrible this year. There was rain and hailstones and all sorts of things. I really felt for them last night
when I curled up in my nice warm bed." Said Cliff whilst talking about his newfound job on the race. Wanda Foley ended up pulling out of the race at the 702km. It was a truly remarkable effort.
This is her race story:
Right from the start, the weather turned nasty with consistent rain right through the first day. Wanda covered 147km on day one, and had minor stomach problems. On day two she reached Canberra and finished the day with 127km. From here the weather got worse. Rain now turned to sleet as we headed for the high country. Approaching Cooma, the air temperature was -5 celsius but the wind chill factor was much colder. Wanda began to be blown off the road by the fierce cross winds and we had a crew member on the side of the road to catch her and prevent her falling each time this happened. This continued for hours until we reached Cooma, and by now we were having trouble keeping Wanda's energy levels up. She was wearing: long tights, long sleeved silk shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, sloppy joe, silk balaclava, gloves, beanie and a gore tex running suit - and still felt the cold. Some of the road sections between Bombala and Cann River had black ice which was an added hazard for runners and crew. By now Wanda had developed shinsplints as a result of the long sections of walking (unexpectedly) - these shinsplints were obviously
painful, swelling like tennis balls on the front of Wanda's shins. We iced these regularly, including making Wanda sit with her legs in an esky of ice during her rest breaks in the van, a particularly cruel thing to do given the severe cold weather but it was necessary and it relieved the swelling enough to be able to then strap the shins. We kept this up and actually began to get the injury under control as we did with the blisters and swollen toe problems. Unfortunately this stress was having an effect on Wanda's stomach and she became regularly ill. No amount of re-hydration or food was enough to get this under control and she was reduced to mainly walking, eventually leading to the race doctor convincing her to withdraw from the race, citing exhaustion, south of Lakes Entrance, completing 702km.
Sad to hear about Wanda's sudden death.
I first met Mark and Wanda when I was organising the Bathurst 50 Miler and in later years in Westfield Run organising and team management. She was another of the great people I have bumped into over the running years. A death like Wanda's makes me think how important it is to stay in touch and to keep involved and active as long as possible.
It's been a running weekend as I met Creese Syred yesterday for the first time in 20 years. Creese did Bathurst at 15 years of age and still runs.
On the getting in touch front......does anyone have any contact info for Ian Hutchison? He doesn't appear to be at Leura any longer.
i.t.wanda foley
I first met Mark and Wanda when I was organising the Bathurst 50 Miler and in later years in Westfield Run organising and team management. She was another of the great people I have bumped into over the running years. A death like Wanda's makes me think how important it is to stay in touch and to keep involved and active as long as possible.
It's been a running weekend as I met Creese Syred yesterday for the first time in 20 years. Creese did Bathurst at 15 years of age and still runs.
On the getting in touch front......does anyone have any contact info for Ian Hutchison? He doesn't appear to be at Leura any longer.
i.t.wanda foley
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