Will Phantom actually set his own run?
Run No: 2438
RUN REPORT – BREAKING NEWS – Phantom Sets a Run!!
Run No: 2438
At: Mosman
On Inn: Mosman Hotel
Hare: Phantom
Arriving at Reservoir Park, TD and I were surprised to see Starbord lurking under the shelter of some trees, chatting to No Knickers. Starboard wasn’t sweaty which suggested that she hadn’t set the run! So, did Phantom actually set his own run? Is this a first? He said he did and the maps he provided backed up that claim, as they were the most useless I’ve seen in a long time, with the trail crammed into less than a 1/4 of the page and the road names covered buy green highlighter making them illegible. But at least he had plenty of them. The pack slowly built up to about 16, with several of us sheltering under umbrellas, rain jackets and caps from the light rain. Phantom described a 3.5km trail for the walkers, a much longer trail for the runners and the possibility of a few hills, which wasn’t a surprise.
We headed off through the lane behind the Bridgepoint shopping centre and the the runners, Starbord, Fetchit, He’ll Do and BeJesus surged ahead and quickly out of sight. A few clever on backs saw the pack regroup before we went down Awaba and Killarney lanes. Our first loss of precious altitude occurred when we descended the many steps on Killarney St before turning into Bullecourt Av. The trail led us up what appeared to be a private driveway and onto a lane that was new to me. By the time we exited onto Bickell Rd the front runners were checking but not finding trail. This extremely cleverly planned bit of absolute confusion allowed Cod Piece, No Knickers, Grange, Stretch, Totem, Laundro and others to catch up. After much discussion and consulting the 2cm square of the map that might provide direction we headed down hill again, finding trail, and loosing yet more precious altitude.
Eventually we hit a flat section along Bay St and, not long after this, the runner/walker split which was very well marked. The runners headed off along Carrington Ave while the walkers headed UP, UP, UP Glen and then Cowles Sts.
By this time some of us were discussing the hope that global warming would fill in the valleys and make the hills of Mosman that much shorter. Apparently it won’t happen in our life time! Luckily we all knew our way back from here as the arrows seemed to have run out.
Laundro and TD were first back at the bucket, followed closely by Short Sheeter, Mongrel, Grange and Totem. The promised 3.5km walkers trail was only 2.6km, but the heart pumping cardio section up Cowles was very good for all of us!
The runners came in on the hour and this time Starbord was sweaty, had to be towelled off and then headed off home. Mother and Be Jesus arrived back at some stage but by this time we were all recovering with drinks in hand and focusing on conversation.
The rain that threatened to drench us all was scared off by Cod Piece and Chuck carrying their umbrellas. Don’t believe Phantom if he says it was part of his plan!
Down downs:
Hare – Phantom
Run report – Chuck
Visitor – Totem from Newcastle, UK (former beer brewing neighbour of Grange)
Calorie Counter – He’ll Do
After one of Laundro’s Irish jokes we retreated to Hotel Mosman for a sumptuous meal and a few more drinks.
Score: 8.7
On On
Chuck
