By Abbey Cannan
Markcus Brown was named the Ultraman Australia champion of 2022, finishing in first place with a sensational run in wet conditions.
Over three days from Saturday 7 May to Monday 9 May, competitors undertook a gruelling 515km endurance race, starting and finishing in front of the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club.
Mr Brown’s overall time was 22 hours, 51 minutes and 16 seconds.
“In comparison to last year it was tough out there today,” he said.
“Straight off the bat. I think my shoes were pretty much drenched within the first kilometre, so dodging the puddle game sort of gave up quickly. And it didn’t get any better. The water kept rising.”
The 2022 overall female Ultraman winner Jacqueline Gaffey finished with a combined time of 28 hours, 43 minutes and 13 seconds, and was still full of energy when she spoke at the day three run event with Tim Franklin.
“I was going to run that as hard as I could while smiling,” she said.
The champion said she had never run in conditions as wet as that before.
“It was wicked. I loved it. It was so much fun.”
Mrs Gaffey said her support network had been incredible throughout the event.
“Everyone else’s great support teams have helped me out too. I still think mine’s the best,” she said.
“I have never ever done an event like this in my life. It’s just been extraordinary. What an amazing family. I don’t know how you’ve fostered it or where it comes from but it affects you as you go along. It’s beautiful.”
The annual event is divided into four stages over three days, and each day has a 12 hour cut-off.
Day one sees a 10km swim and 140km bike ride, followed by another 281.1km on the bike on day two, and finishing with an 84.3km run on day three.
Moama farmer Luke Barlow was across the finish line in 23rd place and reached his goal of raising more than $11,000 for Dolly’s Dream to take a stand against childhood bullying and cyberbullying.
Founded in memory of Dolly Everett, who took her own life at the age of 14 following an extensive period of bullying and cyberbullying, Dolly’s Dream’s yearly Do It For Dolly Day aims to empower and educate the community to prevent all forms of bullying and raise awareness about its devastating effects.
“It’s one thing to complete the event but to get that much support for Dolly’s Dream has just been phenomenal,” Mr Barlow said.
“When I signed up for this thing, my run has always been my weakest link, so day three was always going to be the hardest day.
“After an exhausting couple of days on the bike, to hear that rain on the roof all night, and to get to the start line knowing I had to run two marathons, I knew it was going to be a tough day. A lot of the streets were like rivers. My pacers kept me on track to get finished.
“Once you see that surf club lit up in the rain and you can hear your name called out, it’s pretty sensational.”
For more information on results visit ultramanoz.com.au or facebook.com/UltramanAustralia
