It's a battle of willpower; of grit and determination. It requires the mind and the body to rise above the adversity thrust upon them, and to find harmony in each other in order to triumph. Furthermore, it requires something special.
When you enter the Ned Kelly Chase you journey back to the late 1800s, a time of great adversity, of depression, of social injustice. You are bought into a different world; a time and place that exhibited a struggle between social needs and government power. A defining time in our great nation where rebellion was seen by some as the only road to success against corruption.
Was Ned Kelly a hero or a villain?
He was a convicted thief and murderer and was hanged for his crimes. Whilst worshipped by some as a critical influence in the social and cultural development of our nation, he is also abhorred by those he cheated and swindled.
The Troopers that took him down were celebrated for upholding the law they were to serve and protect.
Ned Kelly affects lives to this very day and remains a polarising figure of our past.
The “chase” will test the physical and mental prowess of the 100 km and 50 km journeymen (and women) by foot. Aiming to finish near 12pm they start with individual time goals, but share the common goal of avoiding those that pursue from behind. When the runners have gone, the pursuit really begins with 100 km and 50 km bicycle chase entrants set to track down, and apprehend the runners on course. The chase is on!
And at 9am there's a 10 km fun run with 50% of the course on unsealed urban tracks and trails through native bush land along the Ovens River.
Presentations in this event will take place just before we start to see the bulk of 100 km finishers cross the line. Together we then engage in a relaxed dinner; enjoying the merriment and stories of our fellow chasers whilst admiring the feats of those that conquered the course.