In 1979 I was working the afternoon shift at the Yabulu nickel refinery – I was an operator on the roasters, which as the name implies was a very hot job.
My mate Widge Rowden picked me up from work when my shift finished at midnight, and we drove through the night to Gordonvale, and slept the rest of the night in the back of Widge’s falcon station wagon. Neither Widge nor I knew anything about Gordonvale or Walsh’s Pyramid, and on first sight of it were a bit in awe of this mountain and the challenge it presented. It was, and still is, one of the toughest races I have competed in. I went on to win the day; Widge if I remember correctly, finished a very gutsy 7th after falling and also losing his way.
In 1980 I was a bit better prepared knowing this time what lay ahead of me, and it was special in another way, because my mother, here on holiday from the UK was my sidekick (Widge being unable to make it).History records that I won this event in record time, witnessed by a very delighted Mum. This made the 1980 Pyramid race a great day for both of us (Mum’s not with us now, but I like to think that for a moment she was proud of her son).
After 30 years I returned to Gordonvale and ran the 2008 race. Luckily I was in peak condition and was able to achieve the summit of my ambition by winning my age group in a time of 2.05.11.
