The Team
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CLIVE's STORY.
What inspired you to take on the Rotary Blackwood Marathon Relay?
Initially I was working with a friend who did the very first one and word got around. I was into mainly running and that’s what got me started.
When did you first participate, and how many times have you participated?
First was in 1980 the second event. In teams until 1988 when I started Ironman. 25 consecutive years of Ironman, including horse. I figured I should stop doing the Iron Man in 2012. Sarah Wiese has just done 25 years. Still wanted to keep going so formed Rusty Ironman team. Then got crook with cancer. Missed participating in about 4 events including COVID. Hoping to compete in swim leg this year. Hoping to put a family team in.
What’s your most memorable moment on the course?
Many. Usually run leg is straight forward and sometimes need to stop to help. Canoe leg is interesting. One year a kangaroo jumped into someone’s boat. Horse leg…all sorts, some good and some bad. Horses were spooked by low flying planes. Some mates have fallen off. Best leg of whole course. Scenery is so beautiful. High on ridges, follow river. Very diverse. Horses love it if they are good. Spills on cycle leg. Tough course on first 10 kms but great leg to come home and finish, as it’s easy from Elwin Road onwards.
What does the Blackwood Marathon mean to you personally?
Always enjoyed it for the group of friends taken. Great weekend away. Camping or staying at camps or with friends at various locations. Great goal to have to keep fit. Friendly rivalry.
Can you please tell us about your involvement in the Blackwood Marathon Relay now, and for how many years have you done this?
Since 2012 I've been organising teams. Since not being able to keep participating due to health condition, this has kept me involved, social and helps to market the event. We all get together during the day, but don’t always stay in the same spot. Haven’t missed it since it started. When sick I still came along. Fortunate that my treatment still allowed me to come down and organise people.
Why do you think the Blackwood Marathon is special for the local community and for Western Australia?
For local communities of Boyup Brook and Bridgetown. Good fundraiser for Rotary from what I understand. The major event for a long time. It’s a historic event. Everyone knows that the Marathon is what Bridgetown and Boyup Brook are all about. It’s a focus for Bridgetown, although there are other events there. For WA. It was the first multi that came about. In early 80s there were about 4 events that started but fell away. It’s the only relay of its type in Australia. Unique due to horse and canoe. Adventure races are different as they are corporate whereas Marathon is volunteer and the new people probably don’t realise this.
What’s something most people don’t realise about what goes on behind the scenes?
How small the organising group is. Most have been there a really long time and hard to get young people in and many locals are transient. This makes it hard.
What advice would you give someone thinking about entering for the first time?
Have a good group of friends to do it with and just enjoy the experience for the first time. Try and stay down for the weekend for 2 nights. A lot more competitive in early days. Used to go down a week before and check out the course. (Most tend not to go down to train, especially the horses as it’s so expensive to take horses away).
Why do you keep coming back?
It’s just a fun weekend with friends. It’s become a tradition. With our group I put out a newsletter each week from now on. It’s not been just a weekend event. Last year I organised about 12 or 14 teams. Up to 15. I find the athletes. We’re almost like a formal club. Varied teams of levels and we welcome all. It’s difficult making up the teams as there are some who have to drop out and they all need to be matched.
Is the Blackwood Marathon a tradition in your family? If so, how many generations have been involved?
It’s definitely a tradition. When I came to do Ironman. Wife was hauling 2 kids on hip and carrying things. They became teams themselves and one did Ironman without horse. Grandkids are too young yet.
Have you passed the baton (literally or figuratively) on to your kids?
Not yet in a team with own three kids. Will try to do a family team this year. Lynne is world champion in 100 and 200 metres running but not endurance. She’s been there as support every year. Yes. All have participated.
What’s it like watching your children now take part in the event you once did?
It’s great. I’ve sometimes helped them and it’s great to have the family involvement. They bring their families down.
Has the event helped bring your family closer together over the years?
Always been close because of the sport. Kids thought it was normal parents being overseas for sporting events.
What values or lessons has your family gained through being involved in the event?
Basically being motivated, organised and being disciplined. Also, friendships have accrued. As young children they see adults being active and involved. In Mandurah we were involved the Triathlon Club. Still going strong. That’s what got a lot of the club members involved in Blackwood. I used to publicise it to them.
Do you hope the next generation will continue the tradition? What would you want them to know?
I’d love to see people being involved for physical health and for friendships. I hope it keeps going. It’s getting a lot of competition from other events. It’s unique with the horse leg.