Cape to Cape Self Supported
Self-Supported (Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste)
26-6-2020
I set off from Cape Leeuwin at 9am only to be greeted by a storm front about 2 hours into the run. I was stuck on a 10km section of beach and fully exposed when it came through. I decided to seek shelter in the dunes whilst the worst of the front passed and then continue trucking on, head down, sand & wind/rain in the face. Luckily that was the worst of the weather and the rest of the day had scattered showers and clear skies. I really loved the section through Boranup Forest as I was actually able to run it unlike the sand or technical rocky sections. I was in good spirits coming into the 60km mark where a fresh change of socks made my day!
Contos cliffs were just magical to run. I was 60km in, but this was the stuff adventures are made of. Running along those cliffs as the sun was setting, hearing the crashing waves below and seeing the sky change through all those fairy floss colors are memories I won't ever forget.
I knew beforehand that the night grind would be tough. My longest run ever has been 84km so in my mind I had no idea how the body would go after this point, let alone trying to stay away past the 20 hour mark. Funny enough, the night time grind was not as bad as I thought it would be and just tried to stay focused on the basics of the run (keep moving forward). I found the night running peaceful, quiet and it was amazing to see the moon reflecting off the water.
I reached the 100km mark early in the morning and by this stage had figured out what was working for my guts. No solid foods just my endurance powder, 2 x gels, small coke and EatNosht Chews every 2-3hours. Technically I knew that wasn't enough calories but I was eating to feel and this was enough to keep me bopping along smiling.
The sun rose and I knew the end was near. I had a technical 10km stretch on rocks to navigate on very wobbly tired legs but got through without rolling an ankle, WIN!
This was where it happened. The legs could sniff the finish line and gave in with 5km to go. I could barely will them to shuffle along but when I saw my Dad and friends at the finish line I managed a last little shuffle before stopping my watch bang on 134km, 24hours 49minutes 49 seconds & a new Self-Supported FKT.
Self-supported notes:
I placed drop bags +water for myself in 5 locations along the way. Hamelin Bay, Contos, Ellensbrook, Moses Rocks Carpark & Torpedo Rocks.These were dropped off my myself the evening before and were hidden in bushes. Only one bag raided by an animal (ate half of my vegemite sandwich haha). I also asked for a muesli bar from other Cape walkers and acquired a wind jacket from campers at Contos after dropping my own.
Am in the process of writing a full report which I will link here when finished. Otherwise to see footage please see my ‘Cape to Cape’ Highlights on my Instagram page.