Annual KRClassic Halloween Run 2025
Steve Kibble
Greetings KRew
Tonight, at KR we have the highly anticipated KRClassic Halloween Run for 2026. Come along and expect the unexpected as the KRew go all out for the KR Night of Fright. Every year we see the KRew get more and more creative as they ramp up the scary.
As is our tradition tonight is a group run, and we will stop a couple of time for photos and scare the tourists around the Opera House. So, get your best worst costume and come along for a jumpy jaunt on the classic course and always be laughing! This year we have prizes for best dressed male and female!
Last Saturday saw the 4th running of the Bondi2Manly Ultra. I remember the first year when maybe 3 of us ran the gruelling 80k from Bondi Beach to Manly Beach via some of the most spectacular spots that Sydney Harbour has to offer. This year saw about 17 of the KRew running either the full course or as part of a relay team and many more supporting and pacing along the length of the course.
For those who have not done it, nor taken on such a long distance, I asked 3 of the KRew to send me a few words of their experience of the course. I asked first timer The flying DutchmanMark what he thought, our own Metro Man Melvyn on how it felt the second time taking on the course and Comrades Luzzan, on what it was like to be part of a relay team. Here is what they said:
Mark doing his longest ever run shared:
“Earlier this year I accepted the challenge to run the Bondi to Manly Ultra after some encouragement and a few beers with the Krew in the pub.
At 5am with 75% humidity is a tough way to start, but the first 10km running on top off the cliffs into Watsons Bay while seeing the sun rising out of the Pacific Ocean felt quite magical.
My game plan was to get the first 40km out of the way quickly as this would be the “easier” part of the race and I knew my support KRew would be waiting for me at the other side of the bridge. This easier part was still challenging enough with all stairs and hills of this part of the city being included in the course.
Around the 55km mark I found out the hard way that going out fast and run up all the hills and stairs is apparently not what you are supposed to do in an Ultra race. As the legs were starting to get tired, it was getting more difficult to lift them and to put the pace out there while the steamy conditions were also slowly getting a grip on me.
The second half of the race was hard but running this Ultra was a great experience. The course was absolutely stunning as it had a bit of everything, trails, scrambling over rocks, beach, cliff tops, city trails and almost all the stairs in Sydney! This in combination with the spectacular views along the way results in a great adventure and makes you enjoy and appreciate what you signed up for despite all the pain you go through makes running this Ultra a very rewarding experience.”
Melvyn doing it for a 2nd time:
“The Bondi2Manly Race has everything I could ever ask for in an ultra-event. For 11 hours I was staring out into stunning views that are best-in-the-world; dodging tourists at world-famous icons; transitioning between the built environment and the natural environment of Sydney Harbour National Park and gorgeous harbourside beaches. I felt fully challenged and engaged throughout the epic 80km and with over 1700m of elevation gain who could ask for more. But what makes it so special for me? Is the ever-present and constant support of family, friends and the running community - I was hardly ever alone. Their cheers, support, crewing, and encouragement pushed and towed me through the ENTIRE length of the course. I felt supported from before my nervous start at Bondi to well after the exhilarating finish in Manly. Sign me up for 2026.”
Luzaan and a team of teachers:
“I ran in the Bondi2Manly relay and taking on the second leg of the race. I had an amazing time on the road and loved how beautiful and challenging the course was (even though my section had limited trails). The race was very well organised and marked making it easy to follow. It was great to run alongside the ultra-runners who I could encourage as I ran my section.
This year I was part of a team of teachers from my school. These gals were lovely to run with and were very encouraging. But my highlight was the fact that, when I finished my part, the KRew were there supporting me and the other KR runners.
I will definitely do the race again next year but maybe have a go at running the two-man relay.”
Thanks guys for sharing your thoughts and insights from the race. If you want to know more,speak to any of the KRew who ran this year or in previous years, afterwards I’m sure that you to will want to be part of the only ultra held in city of Sydney.
Upcoming Events
This week will see the KRew out racing again this time the long anticipated Bare Creek 20k trail race in Garrigal National Park in St Ives. This race will see a bunch of the KRew taking on a beautiful part of bush all within a few kilometres of the city.
Also, on Sunday sees a bunch of the KRew heading out west to take on hilly Carcoar Cup. This is a race that the KRew have been doing since about 2019 and each year have done very well bringing home many trophies.
Go well all the KRew racing and running this weekend!!
Next KR long run will be Sunday 16th November. Please see the invite from Tully on FB closer to the date. See you all there.
Save the Date – KR Christmas Party confirmed for Sunday 7th December. Each year we hold our annual Christmas Party, always a big event on the KR calendar where we share food, laughs and of course announce the KR Member of the Year. I will confirm the location closer to the date, so stay tuned.
Tuesday Speed Sessions these are held every Tuesday at the place Gore Hill Oval at 6:30pm. Great way to practice for next year’s Relay Race. All Welcome! See you there!
Upcoming Races
For a friendly, low pressure local race series that is very reasonably priced, has various distances on offer and held is some of the most scenic parts of Sydney, check our Sri Chinmoy. https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/sydneyraces
Of course, there are many races throughout the year that the KR will do, such as those out at Sydney Olympic Park and around the foreshore. We will highlight as many we think of, but if you have one to promote you think the KRew will love, let us know!
If you want to find some races for yourself, I highly recommend using The Running Calendar website which lists just about every race in Australia. If you find a race that has a KR Team and needs a code let me know. Or if you are the first KR to sign up for a race, please create a KR team and let me know.
https://www.runningcalendar.com.au/
If you are bringing bags tonight, Trevor will be there with his car to hold them whilst you run. (But please pick them up as soon as we have finished the run!) Thank you, Trevor much appreciated!
That’s a wrap for this week; remember to take care of yourself, and if you can, others.
Keep running @everyone and happy trails,
Steve
Director
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