Running The Cotter

Running the Cotter on a hot, supposedly maximum 35 degree day is not what any would call an easy run.

But it was John D's Birthday and we decided to join and acompany him on this "Annual" event.
Even though he and we run it on other occasions.

Friar, Nick, Ray and John set out just on 7 o'clock this morning, Friday 30th December.

Not a cloud in the sky, meant the heat was going to be on before we got back.

Two of us opted to carry water bottles, the other two opted to drink at Padovan's Crossing and Vanitys Crossing. We also splashed water over our bodies at both crossings, and, at Vanities we took shoes and socks off, had a paddle and a drink, and also had a few minutes rest.

We got back to the Cotter reserve, and had a rest and a drink and nibblies at one of the tables, accompanied by ducks and rosellas. The playground at the Cotter, at this time of day, was alive with children and their parents gambolling on the playground equipment.

John has now completed over 120 Cotter Runs, while Friar has notched up 203, and still counting on more. :-)

Peter Kallio wrote a story many years ago on Running The Cotter, and I followed his principles for many years. This was the venue for those in training for The Canberra Marathon, who would congregate at the Cotter at 7:00 am on Saturday mornings to be given a head count by Bryan T, before heading off to, and up and over the suspension bridge, then joining the Road for the climb to the top entry to the forest.

Times have changed nowadays, to smaller groups organising their own starting times etc.
And I can't end this post without a reference to "The Cotter Group", who set about demistifying The Cotter by organising runs, and drop offs to starting points which introduced people to running in the area, without having to run the entire "Cotter 15" or "Cotter 18."

"Until Next Time"