Running 23km of an 80km relay the day after completing stage 5 of the World’s Greatest Relay doesn’t sound like the ideal Saturday to most.
Add in rolling hills, sand-based tracks, short spurts of rain, humidity through the roof and a slightly tweaked calf muscle to mix up the stakes.
Nick Bangs, our October Athletic Department Member of the Month, effortlessly conquered all of these challenges and more. He even secured a position within the top 5 teams over the week during the World’s Greatest Relay, in collaboration with his brother Ed and fellow member Sam Shepherd.
Starting at the famous Bondi Pavilion, the run follows the 80km from Bondi walking track around Sydney Harbour. Runners weave their way along spectacular cliff tops to Watsons Bay then hug the harbour foreshore through national parks, around iconic Australian landmarks, crossing the finish line at Manly Beach.
Nick alongside his relay teammates finished the 80km course in 7 hours and 35 minutes, a huge effort considering that for many in the team, this was the furthest that some had completed. It rates up as one of his best-of-the-year marks.
All the achievements were a culmination of months of hard work from Nick, who deservedly was awarded our Athletic Department Member of the Month.
Great work!
