"I have finally found my hero" - Book Synopsis

By Phil Essam

Ultra running was alive in Australia before the “Westfield”. The 1800’s saw many people compete in the “Pedestrian” races around the country. The 1900’s found many people attempt the Highway’s between our Capital cities right around Australia. In the 70’s we were fortunate to be blessed with two Ultra running legends. They were Tony Rafferty and George Perdon who were to have many battles over the years which was promoted as an intense rivalry by the Australian Press. As a result of this rivalry, sports Promoter John Toleman put up a “Winner Take All” purse and the Westfield was born.

The first Westfield was run in 1983 and Cliff Young endeared himself to the Australian public with his win. He was a relative unknown prior to the race, but did have the form on the board. Cliff was one of the first to realise that you can’t sleep for six hours a night in a Multi Day Ultra and expect to win.

In 1984, the race reversed direction and was run from Melbourne to Sydney. Melbourne runner, Geoff Molloy was to eventually win after an intense battle with New Zealand Policeman, John Hughes on the last day. Towards the end of the race, Bob Bruner withdrew after allegations of cheating were levelled against him by Race Officials.

Greek legend, Yiannis Kouros ran and won his first Westfield in 1985. He was definitely a class above the opposition and the Melbourne “Greek” community were in raptures as he powered his way down Sydney Road towards the finish Line. Brian Bloomer also ran in his first Westfield in 85. He was a Marine Steward on the “Empress of Tasmania” and regularly trained in Victoria and Tasmania.

1986 came around and Yiannis Kouros was scratched from the Westfield due to an injured toe. This left the race wide open. Slovenian, Dusan Mravlje was the eventual winner after tragedy had struck and Geoff Kirkman ended up in hospital. Yiannis Kouros was back to his brilliant best in 1987. The route was changed to go along the Princess Highway. It was longer and tougher and it gave Gippslanders the chance to experience the toughest race in the world. Several Australians were to have their first start in the 87 Race. These runners were to leave their mark in the next few years. The Bicentennial Westfield was again won by Kouros. It was slowly becoming two races in one. Yiannis Kouros versus the clock and the rest of the runners versus each other. They tried to handicap Kouros but he still made his way through the field. Kevin Mansell was to run his second Race and knocked thirty four hours of the first one. As Kevin said “I finally found my hero in life and it was me”.

The finish of the 1989 Westfield was to be the closest result yet. David Standeven literally fell over the line half an hour in front of Kouros. As one bystander said “It’s the greatest run by an Australian in this country”. Kouros still won the race corrected time, but Standeven won the hearts of many Australians around the country. Was it the ferocious battle that Kouros had with Kevin Mansell through the East Gipplsland hills that weakened Kouros for the final run? 1989 was also to see the last attempt at the Westfield by it’s debutant winner, Cliff Young. It was on the top of a hill ten kilometres out of Bombala when he stopped and said “I give it me best!”.

Yiannis Kouros was to again win in 1990. He was back to his brilliant best and wasted no time in toying with the opposition. Bryan Smith ran well to finish second. Cracks were starting to appear in the race though. Kouros complained bitterly before and after the race about the lack of prizemoney.

1991 was to see the last running of the Westfield. Yiannis Kouros ran his own solo run as a protest against Westfield. The greeting that Kouros received was an abhorrance against the great World Champion. The race was to see two changes. The route went through the highest town in Australia and a handicapping system was introduced. Bryan Smith ended up winning the race and picked up $60 000 for first across the line and fastest time. Kevin Mansell and Mark Gladwell were to finish the race for a fifth time and definitely wrote their names into the record book.

The Top twenty runners are rated in the second last chapter and the last chapter is filled with funny, courageous and tragic stories from all the runners. Seven years on since the last running of the race and many Westfield runners are still competing in Ultras around the world. It was in 1998 when former Westfield runner, Helen Stangar reached the pinnacle of her career and smashed the Australian women’s 24 hr record in a race in Melbourne. She definitely “Ran, won and ran her best on the day”.

Phil Essam
Adelaide 
Australia